1. The Athletes you play with and against are really, really good.
Division II teams across the nation have rosters full of athletes who were among the best at their high school or event in their entire state. And, any Division II sporting event you watch is essentially full of All-District or All-State athletes from across the country.
2. You play regional schedules and some of the best post-season tournaments.
One of the most underrated parts of Division II sports is the conferences are based on smaller regions. So, rivalries are a big deal. On top of the many historic games between in-state rivals, Division II has some of the most exciting postseason tournaments and national championships.
3. Athletic Scholarships
Like NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II programs utilize the partial-scholarship model, or “equivalency system”, to recognize student-athletes for their athletic talents. Partial scholarships can cover tuition, room and board, books, and other fees. To cover the rest of their college expenses, student-athletes can use academic scholarships, apply for student loans, and use job earnings.
4. Student-Athletes have a focused academic environment
Typically with private colleges, there is a huge emphasis on having more collaborative classroom environments and excellent student-to-faculty ratios. Division II schools are no exception and the smaller class sizes foster better grades and more accountability for student-athletes. The NCAA reported that student-athletes at Division II colleges graduated at a higher rate than the rest of the student body.