McKena Ramos: The D-III to Big Ten Path That Changed the Conference

All 18 Big Ten schools now carry at least one athlete on a roster who transferred from a Division III program. This shift signals a new pathway for top-tier talent to enter major conferences, challenging the traditional hierarchy of college athletics.

McKena Ramos, a senior from Sheboygan, exemplifies this trend. He arrived at UW-Oshkosh as a recruited track athlete, where coaches did not anticipate his rapid rise. Eamon McKenna, the track and cross-country coach at UW-Oshkosh, noted that Ramos was under the radar during recruitment. "When we were recruiting him, I didn't think he would be able to come in and win a national championship as a freshman," McKenna said.

Ramos set a personal benchmark before the indoor national meet, deciding that a title would prompt a move to Division I. He won the indoor 800-meter and outdoor 1500-meter titles in a single season, fulfilling his self-imposed condition. He subsequently transferred to UW-Madison, where he now competes for the Badgers in both track and cross-country.

The transition has altered the competitive dynamic for Ramos. He attributes his improved times to the higher intensity of the Big Ten. "The biggest difference athletically is the competition level; everyone is on your level and up," Ramos said. He also cited the travel schedule and the opportunity to compete on the national stage as key factors in his decision.

Ramos is not alone in making this move. Two Badger football players have also transferred from Division III schools. Ricky Finco, a junior wide receiver, joined the scout team after a year at UW-Whitewater. Ryan Ramczyk played the offensive line at UW-Stevens Point before an All-American season in Madison boosted his standing on NFL Draft boards.

However, the move to Division I does not guarantee a better fit for every athlete. Emma Paulson swam for UW-Madison during her freshman year but found the environment too consuming. She returned to the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, a Division III institution. "I realized that people are different and have different fits, it might work for them, but it wasn't the right fit for me," Paulson said.

At St. Thomas, Paulson finished her career with three individual national championships and nine All-American designations. She noted that while her times met Division I standards, the culture of Division III suited her lifestyle better. "Swimming DI, it kind of takes over your life in a sense, but DIII [is] just a part of your life," she explained.

Resource differences remain a defining factor in these decisions. Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships, and their facilities are generally smaller than those at Division I institutions. Ramos acknowledged that Madison provides athletic training amenities, such as ice baths, that were absent at Oshkosh. He also credited the tutoring available at the Fetzer Center and the ability to take exams while traveling for his academic success. Paulson, conversely, reported that she is held to the same academic standards as non-athletes at St. Thomas, with no designated academic services.

Both athletes stand by their choices. Ramos, who dreamed of competing for Madison since middle school, said, "I am absolutely happy." McKenna advised athletes considering a similar leap to weigh their options carefully. "If you stand out in DIII, you're going to have opportunities," he said. The central question for any athlete, McKenna added, is whether they can replace the dominance they hold at their current school.