DI Programs
How many DI programs are there?
There are 212 DI men’s soccer programs and 348 DI women’s soccer programs. Men’s soccer is allowed 9.9 athletic scholarships and the women are permitted 14 athletic scholarships. With team sizes averaging around 30 you can see that money is often spread thin and based on what happens on the field or your clout in the recruiting process.
What makes DI different than DII and DIII?
The time demands and importance of the soccer development make DI almost like a professional environment leaving little time for focus on anything other than school and soccer. Even during the offseason there are 5-day per week strength and condition, practices, individual work at times, rehab and treatment of injuries and video. The typical week of a player in a DI program typically looks like 2-5 hours of school per day and then 3-4 hours set aside for soccer related activities. There is still more than enough time to focus on academics but athletes who want to push themselves at the DI level will be pushed more than athletes in DII and DIII and this is especially true in the offseason training and demands on players athletically.
Most DI programs also have a full staff of 3 coaches, an athletic trainer, strength and conditioning coach and even more at the larger schools to continue to push DI athletes in that development. Some DII and DIII programs will have a grad assistant coach or part-time assistants but really only 1 head coach. At the DI level you have at least 3 people whose full time job is to make sure you are developing and tracking through the program in a good way.
Things to consider:
Is it possible for me to balance both the athletics and academics at this institution?
Will I play or should I go somewhere were I can feature more prominently?
Does this team culture suit me?
Does this particular college set me up for post-college success?
Helpful Link:
Top Drawer Soccer DI Men’s College Programs Listed by Conference
Top Drawer Soccer DI Women’s College Programs Listed by Conference