It’s amazing the things you think about when the sun still hasn’t risen and you’re running sprints. When the turf still has dew on it, and the fresh little black beads bounce around you with every time your cleat pounds the surface of the field. I’m sure it’s the same thoughts the swimmers have as their bodies hit the freezing water while the rest of the world is still sleeping, and as the baseball player in the weight room forces himself to do just one more set; before he’s even fully awake. Or when the basketball player's sneakers squeak on the end line as they push to finish their final suicide, before those with 8 a.m. classes have even opened their eyes.

"HOW DID I GET HERE? WHY DO I DO THIS TO MYSELF?"

From the day I committed to play Division III lacrosse, I always felt as if I hadn’t accomplished anything compared to everyone else that was playing for Division I and Division II institutions. I didn’t “sign” on signing day. I didn’t “commit” super early. I felt like it didn’t matter I was continuing my athletic career, even though I had overcome so many adversities to get there.

People would say things like “that’s good it’s just DIII, it’ll be so much easier!” I began to really believe that it would be easy, and was eventually embarrassed to even admit I was playing in college because it was “just DIII."

But then, I got to college.

Now that I am a sophomore, I have learned how wrong this "DIII" stereotype is. There is no such thing as off season. From early morning conditioning and footwork to the weight room, wall ball, to film sessions, team bonding or volunteering, Student Athlete Advisory Meetings, and regular practice time, even though my scholarship is based on academics, much of my life is consumed with all things lacrosse.

In the beginning of the semester, I showed up to take an Anatomy exam visibly dripping sweat, my goggles still on the top of my head, with my mouth guard still tucked under my sports bra. I had literally ran off the field in the middle of a drill and sprinted to the auditorium. The room full of 100+ stressed students just stared at me. I dropped in my seat. One girl even whispered, “Why does she do that to herself?” I laughed so I wouldn’t cry as I wrote my name on top of my exam. As I read the first question of the long test, I remembered that I chose this life, and I wouldn’t give it up for the world.

As DIII athletes, we get absolutely no special treatment, like priority scheduling or specific tutors. We are held to the same expectations as our non-student athlete peers, sometimes even higher. Even though we are athletes, we still have to meet all the same deadlines they do, and definitely not miss class, even if there's an athletic conflict. I always dread when the time comes to pick classes because I know it’s going to be next to impossible to get into the ideal class, lab and lecture sections I need to fit with our practice and game schedule. But somehow, we manage to compromise and make it work, and try our hardest to have the best of both worlds; both academically, and athletically.

Here’s what I have to say to all Division III athletes past, present and future: be proud of yourself. You made it here for a reason, and there’s no explanation to be ashamed of being a Division III athlete. You work just as hard, have the will to improve and love the sport just as much as a Division I or II player. We run, we train, we practice and we love our team, just like any other student athlete. Stop selling yourself short, and be grateful for the opportunity to play. Just like Division I and II athletes, we graduate learning more than just our degree has to offer. Time management skills, teamwork, commitment and leadership are all things we pick up during our time on the field, court, track or in the pool- and these are things that can’t be taught in the classroom.

No matter what level you play, every athlete only gets 4 years of NCAA eligibility. One day we will graduate, and we won’t be collegiate athletes anymore. So next time it's 6am and your laying on the floor of the gym doing what feels like your 100th burpee, and you ask the “why do I do this to myself?” question- remember it’s because we are lucky. Lucky to do what we love every day, and lucky to be an athlete, no matter if it's Division I, II or III. If there's one thing I've learned, every day you are on the field is a gift.

At the end of the day, I am a Division III student- athlete. I'm proud and forever grateful to have this experience.