Big Ten rosters feature D-III transfers

Every roster in the Big Ten Conference now includes at least one player who transferred from a Division III program.

The shift reflects a growing trend of athletes moving from smaller colleges to major power conferences. This movement has accelerated in recent years as competition dynamics change.

McKena Ramos, a track and cross-country athlete, exemplifies this transition. He arrived at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh as a recruited freshman. His coaches, including Eamon McKenna, expected strong performances but did not predict immediate national success.

McKenna stated that the team knew Ramos was talented but remained under the radar. Ramos set a personal condition before the indoor national meet. He decided that winning a title as a freshman would justify a move to Division I.

Ramos won the indoor 800-meter title and the outdoor 1500-meter title during his freshman year. He subsequently transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is now a senior from Sheboygan.

Since joining the Badgers, Ramos has competed on both the track and cross-country teams. He noted that the higher level of competition has improved his times. He described the athletic environment as intense, with opponents matching or exceeding his ability.

Ramos also cited travel opportunities and the chance to compete at the highest level as primary draws. Two Badger football players have made similar moves from Division III schools to Madison.

Ricky Finco, a junior wide receiver, transferred from UW-Whitewater. He plays primarily on the scout team. Ryan Ramczyk, an offensive lineman, transferred from UW-Stevens Point. Ramczyk had an All-American season in Madison, which improved his standing on NFL Draft boards.

The move to Division I is not a universal fit. Emma Paulson, a swimmer, joined the UW-Madison team as a freshman. She concluded that the competition level did not suit her personal needs and transferred to the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota.

Paulson finished her career at St. Thomas with three individual national championships and nine All-American designations. She noted that her swimming times matched Division I standards, but the culture aligned better with Division III. She described Division I swimming as consuming her entire life, whereas Division III remains one part of it.

Resource differences play a role in these decisions. Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships and typically operate with smaller facilities. Division I schools invest more heavily in infrastructure and program support.

Ramos said that running workouts are largely similar between divisions. However, Madison provides facilities such as ice baths that Oshkosh lacked. He also credited tutoring at the Fetzer Center and the ability to take exams while traveling for his academic success. Paulson stated that she holds the same academic standards as non-athletes at St. Thomas and does not have designated academic services for athletes.