Caligiuri: Which level of college is right for you?

UMass players and coaches celebrate Marc Del Gaizo’s overtime goal in the Frozen Four. (Tom Horak/NYHJ)

As a proud alumnus of Castleton University, formerly Castleton State College, I’ve had the privilege to learn, compete and work alongside just about every collegiate platform available to today’s student-athletes.

Studying sports medicine at a small Division 3 school allowed me to experience excellent academia through low teacher-to-student ratios all while playing basketball in a competitive athletic conference. My horizons were set, and on it, the prospective of playing professional sports was not one of them. Self-reflection and proper management of personal expectations is crucial to taking full advantage of your collegiate opportunities as an athlete and a student.

Although many of you are now just beginning your athletic recruiting process, others are in the middle of an overwhelming and sometimes disheartening journey. With the exception of a very small, highly gifted set of athletes bound for Division 1 athletics, the majority of you will need to decide which level of athletic commitment you would like to pursue and how it ultimately will affect your personal and professional opportunities.