When I was a wide-eyed senior in high school just a little over a year ago, I was put in a situation that any prospective college athlete can understand. I knew I wanted to compete at the collegiate level from the start, but the decisions following were stressful, and, quite literally--life changing.

Choosing what team to compete for in college doesn't just decide your future teammates, uniform emblem, and prospective coach, but rather where you are headed for the next four years of your life. Choosing a school with sports in mind is tricky, but in the end, you have to do what any incoming freshman would (or at least should) do, athletically inclined or not; follow your heart.

Upon recruit visits, I received offers at the division one level, but also requests to visit at the division three level. I kept both options in mind as I headed forward in the decision making process.

I certainly enjoyed myself at a couple division one schools, admiring the beautiful facilities, highly competitive atmosphere, and, of course--all the free stuff. However, upon every division one visit, I couldn't help but notice the behind the scenes monetary motive present that ultimately was the only thing keeping some of the athletes involved in the sport. Athletic scholarships are a wonderful opportunity and tool for many college students, but certainly should not be the only thing continuously motivating a student to continue their athletic career. I knew in that instant that what was most important to me was that I surrounded myself with a team that continued competing for more than just external resources; a team that pursued their athletic endeavors purely for the fire it generated in their hearts, and the pure passion they had for the sport. Money simply could not buy what was most important to me: my happiness.

Upon my first division three visit, it took me mere minutes to notice the overwhelming attitude and atmosphere alteration among the team. I was greeted with utmost positivity and warmth-- these people wanted to know more about me than my athletic stats and accomplishments-- they genuinely wanted to get to know me as a human being. Their optimism and uncontrollable laughter made the prospect of competing there seem so exciting. Before their competition, the team let me join in their boisterous group cheer-- Let me tell you, the pure joy and athletic adrenaline throughout their ritual chant was clearly portrayed across each and every one of their faces-- this was exactly where they wanted to be. And, after that visit, so did I.

Flashing forwards, with my freshman competitive season beneath my belt, I truly can't even begin to express how thankful I am to have made the best decision of my life-- competing at the Division III level. It has been both an utter joy and an honor to compete for my team, and looking at my journey along the way through a completely new athletic lens, I can confidently say that I now understand what it means to be a division three athlete.

Despite common stereotypes, Division III athletics are just as challenging as any other division. We are still student athletes, juggling hours of school each week along with hours of practice. We wake up at 5am, and get right to the grind, completing mentally and physically draining workouts on the daily, only to come home to multiple hours of homework. It is rare that we aren't suffering from at least some degree of exhaustion at any given point, but nevertheless, we keep pushing through.

But why? What do we do it for?

Here's why. We do it because despite that pain, we know it's temporary-- and our passion? That's infinite. We do it because even when we feel adversity ripping us apart at the seams, whether it be soreness, fatigue, or life itself-- we know that there are 60 other bodies fighting the same struggle. 60 teammates that want us to succeed just as much as we want it for ourselves, and are there to support us every last step of the way.

We do it for this team. This band of misfits that has formed an unbreakable family, here for you no matter what the form of endeavor. These people that have seen us both at our worst times and greatest pains, to our best times and ultimate athletic triumphs.

Above all, we do it for the name on our uniform-- for the institution that gave us this opportunity to compete and pursue our passion along with an academic agenda, paving the way for both our fondest collegiate memories and the brightest possible post-graduate future.

Sure, we go without monetary compensation, free merchandise, and external incentives. Instead, however, we are run purely on a fire wreaking ultimate havoc within our bones, burning with both extreme gratefulness for the talents we have been blessed with and the purest passion to do what we love everyday, with teammates that have our backs through it all.

So no-- Division III is not the simple road. It is not lame, or by any means a less impressive athletic accomplishment. It is pursuing your athletic talents in the purest motive possible-- and being grateful for the very opportunity to do so.

And that is what it means to be a Division III athlete.