McKena Ramos and the Shift: D-III Athletes Fill Big Ten Rosters

College athletics has seen a steady migration of talent from smaller programs to major conferences, a trend that has now become universal within the Big Ten. Every member school currently lists at least one athlete who transferred from a Division III institution to the conference.

McKena Ramos, a senior from Sheboygan, exemplifies this movement after transferring from UW-Oshkosh to UW-Madison. Ramos arrived at Oshkosh as a recruited track athlete and quickly distinguished himself as a five-time All-American and two-time national champion in a single season. His coach, Eamon McKenna, noted that the team did not expect him to win a national title as a freshman, describing him as talented but under the radar. Ramos admitted to setting a personal condition: if he won the indoor 800-meter title, he would consider moving to Division I. After winning both the indoor 800 and outdoor 1500 titles, he made the move to Madison, where he now contributes to both the track and cross-country teams. He cites the higher level of competition and the opportunity to compete on the highest stage as primary reasons for the switch.

Ramos is not alone in making this jump. Two Badger football players have followed similar paths. Junior wide receiver Ricky Finco transferred to Madison after a year at UW-Whitewater and currently plays primarily on the scout team. Ryan Ramczyk, an offensive lineman, dominated at UW-Stevens Point before having an All-American season at Madison that improved his standing on NFL Draft boards.

However, the move to Division I does not guarantee a better fit for every athlete. Emma Paulson, a swimmer, concluded during her freshman season at UW-Madison that the top-level competition was not right for her. She transferred to the University of St. Thomas, a Division III school in Minnesota. At St. Thomas, Paulson finished her career with three individual national championships and nine All-American designations. She stated that while her times matched Division I standards, the culture aligned more closely with Division III, where the sport is a part of life rather than the entirety of it.

Resource differences between the two divisions remain a factor in these decisions. Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships, and their facilities are generally smaller than those at Division I schools. Ramos noted that while running workouts are similar, Madison provides athletic training 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. Conversely, Paulson said she is held to the same standards as non-athletes at St. Thomas and has no designated academic services.

Both athletes say they would make the same choice again. Ramos, who has dreamed of competing for Madison since middle school, stated he is absolutely happy with his decision. McKenna offered cautious advice to athletes considering a similar move, noting that standing out in Division III creates opportunities. The key question, he added, is whether an athlete can replace whatever makes them dominant at their current school.