One thing I have heard apocryphally is that athletes in D3, and especially football players, end up paying more in tuition than the average student so they can continue to play the sport(s) they love. I don't know how that could be verified, but if true it would be a reason that so many schools chase student athletes (and specifically football players - I've seen D3 schools with 200+ on their rosters).
Thank you for reading. I have not heard that football players pay more than the average student, but given the cost of a football program, that might not be surprising. My biggest concern with having that many athletes on a football roster is retention once the student realizes they are buried on the depth chart or not getting the playing time they think they deserve. Football coaches bring athletes to campus, but faculty are the ones who have to work to retain them. My experience was academic affairs gets blamed for poor retention when really it is unrealistic expectations from coaches.
One thing I have heard apocryphally is that athletes in D3, and especially football players, end up paying more in tuition than the average student so they can continue to play the sport(s) they love. I don't know how that could be verified, but if true it would be a reason that so many schools chase student athletes (and specifically football players - I've seen D3 schools with 200+ on their rosters).
Thank you for reading. I have not heard that football players pay more than the average student, but given the cost of a football program, that might not be surprising. My biggest concern with having that many athletes on a football roster is retention once the student realizes they are buried on the depth chart or not getting the playing time they think they deserve. Football coaches bring athletes to campus, but faculty are the ones who have to work to retain them. My experience was academic affairs gets blamed for poor retention when really it is unrealistic expectations from coaches.