Welcome to the D3Direct Newsletter, your go-to source for reliable D3 college recruiting & admissions information. Today, we’re covering the core D3 recruiting terms that recruits and their families should know. This topic was suggested by a parent who wanted to better understand the terminology at the D3 level. If there’s another term you’re struggling with, reply to this email and let us know! We’ll define it and add it to the full glossary on our website. Core Division III Recruiting Terms Division III (D3)Definition: The NCAA division that emphasizes academics and the overall student experience. D3 schools do not offer athletic scholarships, but athletes can receive merit-based scholarships and need-based financial aid.In practice: A coach says:“We’re D3, so we don’t offer athletic scholarships, but most of our players receive academic or need-based aid.” No Athletic ScholarshipsDefinition: D3 programs cannot award money specifically for athletic ability. Financial aid is awarded independently of athletics.In practice: An athlete receives: - Academic merit aid - Need-based aid (FAFSA) - Institutional grants…but nothing labeled “athletic money.” Supported / Support LetterDefinition: A written confirmation from a coach stating that the athlete is being supported in the admissions process. This is one of the strongest signals of real recruiting interest at the D3 level.In practice: A coach emails:“We will be supporting your application with admissions.”This often means the athlete has a high likelihood of admission if academic standards are met. Likely Letter (D3 Context)Definition: While more formal at D1/D2, some D3 schools provide informal likelihood confirmations indicating admissions alignment.In practice: A coach says:“Based on your transcript and test scores, admissions is comfortable with your profile.”This is effectively a verbal “green light,” though not binding.

What’s one thing you wish you knew about recruiting before you started? The complexity of the process? Ghosting will happen? How long it actually takes?

Hey everyone! 👋 I just uploaded a brand-new video where I tried out a different idea this time. It's my first go at this concept, so I’m sure there’s room for improvement. I’d love to hear your thoughts—what worked, what didn’t, and how I can make it even better next time! Check it out below👇 Your feedback means the world to me, so don’t hold back! Drop a comment or send me a message with your suggestions. Steve

Good Morning! ⚽ The Power of Video! While reviewing our recent Instagram posts, one thing stood out: we posted a video from one of our clients, (see below 👇) and it received 4️⃣ times more page views (over 4,000!) than a standard image post. 📣 Take note—Post those clips on YouTube, X, and Instagram! ⚽ Words of Wisdom 📢 @d1scholarship on X "College coaches need evidence that you're talented. Evidence typically comes in 6️⃣ forms: 1️⃣ Video 2️⃣ Stats 3️⃣ In-person evaluation 4️⃣ Awards & accomplishments 5️⃣ Coach recommendation 6️⃣ 3rd party articles and mentions Stack as much of this as you can." ⚽ Remember:💡 “It’s not how good you are, but who knows you’re good!” 📧 Email those college coaches and make it happen! Good luck, Steve

Athletes (and parents), hear me on this: Most of the stress young athletes feel never comes from the game itself, it comes from the stories their mind creates before anything actually happens. And that’s not preparation.That’s fear disguised as planning. Real preparation doesn’t come from imagining every worst-case scenario. Real preparation comes from building systems, habits, and routines that give you stability no matter what the game throws at you. Because confidence, true confidence, only exists in the present moment. You can’t control tomorrow. You can’t fix last week. But you can dominate what’s right in front of you. In my world as a mental performance coach, domination looks like this: A clear and inspiring vision for where you want to go A clean, resolved relationship with your past, no replaying old mistakes Full commitment to TODAY’S work, TODAY’S actions, TODAY’S opportunities Not “when the season starts.”Not “once I’m feeling confident.”Not “after I fix everything that’s wrong.” Today. This rep. This drill. This decision. You win the big moments by stacking small wins, one after another, right now. And let me tell you something from years of coaching: You can sit down and map out 100 different scenarios, outcomes, and situations…But number 101, the one you didn’t even think of, that’s the one that usually shows up. So, what do the best athletes do? They prepare themselves for what they WANT, not for what they fear. They don’t train to avoid disaster; they train to chase excellence. And that requires one thing: A scoreboard. Not a scoreboard that hangs in a gym.A personal scoreboard, a tool that keeps you locked in on your own growth. Here’s how you build it: Define the results you actually want.Not the vague stuff. Write down the specific outcomes you’re chasing. Break those results into controllable actions.Quarter by quarter. Possession by possession. Practice by practice.Small, repeatable behaviors that move you forward. After every game or training session, grade yourself out of 10.Not emotionally. Not based on stats.Based on whether you lived up to your standards.