Welcome to Season 2 of the Student Voices of the Hill Country: A Schreiner Student Pod Series. In this series, we continue to explore the lives, views, and observations of Schreiner Students. In this episode 2, we look at the Student-Athlete Experience at Schreiner University, and how to balance time, facilities, academics, and NIL.
Our hosts today are Cody, who plays soccer, JT, who is also on the soccer team, and Amari, who runs track. They discuss the Division III student-athlete experience at Schreiner University versus Division I/II, emphasizing that DIII is a major commitment but less like a “job,” with athletics secondary to academics. They contrast the smaller-scale facilities and medical support at Schreiner with the large D1 resources, including multiple training areas, fields, and athlete-focused nutrition options; Amari notes that track practices are held at local high schools due to limited facilities. They highlight DIII’s close-knit community and easier access to coaches and professors through small classes, while noting that D1 athletes may receive more structured academic support (e.g., tutors) but face heavier schedules and greater stress. They describe NIL as minimal at DIII (e.g., about $150 earned) versus potentially massive at D1, and note that pathways can exist from DIII to higher levels and even to professional opportunities.
Key highlights:
- Money And Facilities Gap
- Small School Community
- Team Culture and Competition
- D1 Grind Versus D3
Other Hill Country-Focused Podcasts
Hill Country Authors Podcast