Big Ten Rosters Now Include D-III Transfers

McKena Ramos is now a member of the University of Wisconsin-Madison track and cross-country teams. His transfer marks a shift in the conference's demographic. All eighteen Big Ten schools now list at least one former Division III athlete on their rosters.

Ramos was a standout performer at UW-Oshkosh before his move. He became a five-time All-American and a two-time national champion during a single season. His coach, Eamon McKenna, said the staff did not predict such results from a recruit. "We knew he was good and we knew he was a little bit under the radar," McKenna said.

Ramos set a personal benchmark for himself before the indoor national meet. He decided that winning a freshman title would justify a move to Division I. He won the indoor 800-meter and outdoor 1500-meter titles. He then chose to transfer to Madison. The Sheboygan native said the higher competition level helps him improve his times.

Ramos is not the only Badger to make this jump. Two football players have recently moved from Division III schools to Madison. Ricky Finco, a junior wide receiver, transferred from UW-Whitewater. He currently plays mainly on the scout team. Ryan Ramczyk moved from UW-Stevens Point. He had an All-American season at Madison that improved his standing on NFL Draft boards.

The transition does not work for every athlete. Emma Paulson swam for UW-Madison as a freshman before transferring back to Division III. She joined the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. Paulson said the intensity of top-level college competition did not fit her lifestyle. "It might work for them, but it wasn't the right fit for me," she said.

Paulson finished her career at St. Thomas with three individual national championships. She also earned nine individual All-American designations. She noted that her times met Division I standards, but the culture at St. Thomas suited her better. "Swimming DI, it kind of takes over your life in a sense, but DIII [is] just a part of your life," she said.

Facilities and resources differ between the two levels. Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships. Their facilities are generally smaller than those at Division I institutions. Ramos noted that running workouts are similar at both levels. However, Madison provides athletic training facilities like ice baths that Oshkosh did not have.

Academic support also varies. Ramos credited tutoring at the Fetzer Center for his academic success. He could also take exams while traveling. Paulson reported that she has no designated academic services at St. Thomas. She is held to the same standards as students who do not play sports.

Both athletes said they would repeat their choices. Ramos described competing for Madison as a dream he had since middle school. McKenna offered advice to other Division III athletes. He said that standing out creates opportunities. The key question is whether an athlete can replace the dominance they had at their previous school.

The presence of these transfers signals a change in recruiting patterns. Schools are looking beyond traditional powerhouses for talent. The roster counts confirm that the path from Division III to the Big Ten is now open at every conference member.