Athlete Spotlight: Michele Goebel

Michele Goebel has played soccer since she can remember. While all those years prepared her to be capable of playing for a Division I team in college, she was clear that the most important aspect of her college search was finding a school she loved, soccer or not. Luckily for her, she was able to find both in Denison University, so let’s take a closer look at Michele’s decision:

What schools from other divisions were interested in you/did you consider going to?
I was talking to the coaches from Samford in Alabama and Gardner Webb in North Carolina (both D1) and came close to going to Samford.

Why did you choose to play at Denison instead?
I chose to play at Denison because they have a very successful program, I love the school and campus, I clicked with the girls and coaches, and I am able to be at a great school and receive a quality education while still being able to play soccer.

What have you been able to be involved in at Denison outside of soccer?
I am in a sorority (Kappa Alpha Theta) and am involved in service projects.

What do you think have been some benefits of playing D3 instead of a higher division?
Although soccer is a huge commitment, we have two games a week and practice every day, we don't travel as much or as far as D1 and because of that I am able to be involved in a sorority and do things on campus because I am actually on campus more than if I was at a D1 school and constantly traveling. I think this is a huge benefit because I wouldn't like being gone all the time and not being able to go down to the sorority house and see my friends or participate in activities on campus. Also, it gives you more time to focus on school and simply have time for yourself. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely still a struggle to fit in all your homework after practice but I feel like I still have more time than if I was traveling a lot more.

A lot of people say D3 is just an extension of high school sports, how would you compare the competition levels between the two?
I COMPLETELY disagree with that comment. The competition is much harder and the size, strength, speed, and skill of the players in college are a completely different and much higher level. In high school, there may have been four or five girls on the team who played club and were trained well but in college every single girl has played club since she was 7 or 8 and been trained since she was a child. Also, the attitude is much more serious in college. It's definitely not just a childish rivalry when you play a team, there is a much higher competitive attitude and people take it more seriously.

Athlete Spotlight: Cassie Pruzin

 

Indiana All-Star, participant in the North/South All-Star game, All-State Selection, McDonald’s All-American nominee… and she chose to play Division III basketball. Surprised? Well, Cassie Pruzin decided there was a lot more to her than basketball and she wanted to take advantage of everything that DePauw University had to offer. Don’t get me wrong; just because she was doing many other things, basketball never went away. In college, Cassie was, along with many other honors, ranked second in school history in career three pointers made and attempted, named an All-American and was a part of the 2007 National Championship team. So let’s find out why Division III was the perfect place for her:

What schools from other divisions were interested in you/did you consider going to?
Throughout my high school career, my coach prepped me to be a Division 1 athlete. I was sent to many camps and spoke with many Division 1 college coaches. I dreamed of going to the University of Notre Dame but soon realized my talent and size was not good enough to make it at ND. I started to be more realistic and started narrowing in on mid-major schools in the Midwest. I basically ruled out schools located anywhere besides the Midwest because if I played I wanted my family to be able to attend my games. I got looks from schools such as Bowling Green, Ball State, Akron, Toledo, Butler, Western Michigan, etc. I’d say the MAC conference was recruiting me the hardest but I wasn’t really interested. My junior year of high school, I decided I really wanted to go Butler. I went on an official visit and to a couple games, but when it came down to it they said I was too small (not strong enough). It broke my heart and I decided basketball wasn’t for me until I found out about DePauw.

Why did you choose to play at DePauw instead?
Like I said before, I wanted to go to Butler University, and when I found out I couldn’t I was lost and unsure of what was ahead of me. I put a halt on the recruiting process and stopped making visits to schools. In my mind, I was over basketball. Until my brother convinced me to meet Coach Huffman at DePauw University, I was going to be just a student at Indiana University or Miami of Ohio. I fell in love with DePauw’s campus and the feeling I had when I was there. I realized that if I went to DePauw, I could have a satisfying and complete college experience.
One of the main reasons I did not like any school in the MAC was because of the lack of academia. If I could no longer play basketball, I did not know if any of the schools in the MAC would be a fit for me academically or socially. I knew DePauw was for me because it was a school I could see myself enjoying even if I decided to end my basketball career. Also, I knew DePauw had a great basketball program and we had a chance to be very competitive in Division 3.

What have you been able to be involved in at DePauw outside of basketball?
Throughout my time at DePauw, I was an active member of Alpha Phi sorority. I was the Director of Finance for two years, and a member of the executive counsel for one year. I was a part of student friend, a community service organization that reaches out to the unfortunate children in Greencastle. Other than that, my time was devoted to basketball and my academics, as well as making time for my friends.

What do you think have been some benefits of playing d3 instead of a higher division?
The main benefit was my education. DePauw puts a large emphasis on student-athletes and makes sure we are putting academics before our sport. This is something I think you miss out on at a D1 school. Also, I believe I had a greater opportunity of succeeding at D3. I was able to be a key member of the National Championship team and recognized as an All-American, something I could not have achieved at a D1 school. Basketball wasn’t my life. I was able to focus on other things than just basketball. Being a D3 athlete allows you to find yourself as a person, not just an athlete.

Many people say d3 is simply an extension of high school sports, how would you compare the competition levels between the two?
I do not believe d3 is an extension of high school basketball by any means. In high school, you had girls who didn’t love basketball. They played because their friends played, parents made them, or because they thought it was a fun hobby for the time being. They were not necessarily the most athletic or competitive group of people. However, college is much different. On my team, every player was the best player on her high school team. When you start creating collegiate teams, they are compiled of athletes who want to extend their career because they are superior athletes or have a strong work ethic and desire to play basketball. The level of competition is much greater. D3 athletes typically lack one essential asset that would make them a successful D1 athlete. For example, a D3 athlete may have all skills necessary but may lack height, strength, speed, or court sense. Not all high school athletes can compete at the collegiate level. The game is much faster and more competitive than it was in high school.