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Wikipedia Assignment 6
Suggested Changes to “Division III (NCAA)”

Comparison of Division I to Division III Athletics
Financial Comparison

Division III institutions do not have the same access to scholarship money when it comes to the recruiting process. Division III sports offer non-athletic financial aid packages rather than athletically based support. Division I sports teams are able to provide aid more directly through athletic based scholarships. Since there are fewer guidelines for athletic scholarships in Division III schools, these institutions have more choice in how they allocate their funds. Not only is there more financial support that is specifically given to Division I athletes, but Division I teams and facilities receive more funding from the NCAA. The NCAA puts substantially more money towards Division I programs than it does Division III. Sixty percent of all NCAA revenue is given directly to Division I institutions alone. From 2009-2010, 433 million dollars made up the NCAA's Division I expenses Only about three percent of the NCAA’s spending goes towards Division III programs. The differences in financial support has been a major cause in further differences between both divisions.

Athletic and Academic Comparison NCAA regulations in competition and time commitment have made Division III athletics seem less strenuous and binding when compared Division I athletics. Each sport is subject to different regulations, but when comparing the same sports in Division I and Division III competition, there are many differences. For example, Division III baseball limits the number of games to 40 per season while Division I baseball sets the limit at 56 games per season. This has caused the general public to view Division III athletics as less competitive and focused. According to a 2008 NCAA survey, participants admitted devoting more time to athletics than they did towards academic responsibilities. This survey found that the average Division I athlete devotes 44.8 hours a week to athletic responsibilities in addition to the 40 hours a week that are set aside for academic life. This difference in time committment can also be seen in the average number of classes skipped. Twenty-one percent of Division I baseball players skip more than three classes per week compared to only twelve percent of Division III baseball players. This pattern is similar in other sports as well according to the 2011 NCAA survey. '''Effects on Student Athletes '''

The differences in division requirements and financial regulation have led to some distinct differences in student life. Participation in school activities are more common in Division III athletes. Division III athletes are also known to put much more emphasis on their academic experience which includes participation in on-campus research and extra-curricular activities. Not only is there more involvement, but Division III Athletes have proven to be more successful in time management when compared to non-athletes at the same institution. There are also differences in the student-athlete social experience. Division I athletes are more likely to have friends who are exclusively part of their respective team.