A mom shared a post in a Facebook group. She didn’t include her name but talked about her son, who plays at a Division 3 college. She mentioned that the college is a good fit for the degree her son wants, which is good. However, she expressed a different concern.
She said the team took too many players, and her son is unsure if he will get any real playing time, even though his name is on the roster. This has stressed him out a bit. The thing that bothers him the most is the fundraising that the coach keeps requesting. He feels like it’s all about collecting money and that no one cares about the sport anymore. I understand her frustration because I also played on a small local team, and we had to sell random items to raise money. It felt awkward and exhausting at times.
The mom knows D3 teams have limited budgets, so fundraising is a regular part of the job. Still, her son is so upset that he is even considering coming home. That must be hard for both of them.
The post received many replies from parents, athletes, and even some coaches. One mom mentioned that her son plays D3 football, and their team quickly met their fundraising goal this year. As a result, they were able to travel to other states, and the team covered hotel and food costs. She ensures her family and coworkers support her son whenever he needs help.
Another mom said she would never talk to a college coach for her child. She believes in giving advice but thinks the child should communicate with the coach independently. A coach also replied, saying he has been fundraising for many years and believes it benefits players since it saves them from spending their own money.
Many parents echoed this idea, suggesting that kids should speak to the coach directly or leave the team if they truly dislike it. A few noted that even D1 programs require fundraising. One parent shared that her daughter pays around $1,000 a year, so it’s not exclusive to D3.
People pointed out that every D3 program is different. Some do minimal fundraising and provide players with plenty of free gear. Others request a lot of money every year. One person shared that their child had to raise six hundred dollars or wouldn’t receive any team gear, and unfortunately, she was injured the next day and could no longer play.
Another parent shared a positive story. Their son plays NAIA baseball and travels everywhere without any fundraising. A mom with two kids at different D3 schools said both teams fundraise a lot, but it’s voluntary. They mostly do raffles and pools to fund trips.
One dad mentioned that it teaches a valuable life lesson: nothing is given for free, and you have to earn what you want. A few parents admitted that their kids felt similarly at first and eventually left the sport or transferred to another. Later, they felt happier focusing on their studies. You may also be interested in: The Skateboarder Community Is Mourning The Loss Of Elias Kim After A Car Accident
