Every Big Ten School Now Lists at Least One Division III Transfer

McKena Ramos, a track and cross-country athlete from Sheboygan, transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Madison after winning national championships at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. His move represents one of many recent shifts in college athletics where student-athletes from Division III institutions have joined rosters at Big Ten schools. As of October 2026, all 18 member institutions in the conference list at least one such transfer on at least one roster.

Ramos arrived at Oshkosh as a recruited freshman and quickly exceeded expectations. Eamon McKenna, the track and cross-country coach at Oshkosh, noted that the coaching staff knew Ramos was talented but considered him under the radar. McKenna stated that he did not anticipate Ramos winning a national title as a freshman. Ramos set a personal benchmark before the indoor national meet: if he won a championship, he would seriously consider moving to Division I. He subsequently won the indoor 800-meter and outdoor 1,500-meter titles before enrolling at Madison.

Since joining the Badgers as a senior, Ramos has contributed to both track and cross-country teams. He attributes his improved times to the higher intensity of competition at the top level. Ramos described the athletic environment as one where every competitor is on his level or above. He also cited the opportunity to travel and compete on the highest stage as a primary draw for the transfer.

Ramos is not the only athlete from a Division III background on the Badgers' football roster. Ricky Finco, a junior wide receiver who primarily plays on the scout team, transferred to Madison after one year at UW-Whitewater. Ryan Ramczyk, an offensive lineman, had an All-American season at Madison that improved his standing on NFL Draft boards following a dominant career at UW-Stevens Point.

The transition from Division III to Division I is not universally successful. Emma Paulson swam for the Badgers during her freshman season but transferred to the University of St. Thomas, a Division III school in Minnesota, during that period. Paulson determined that the demands of top-level college competition did not align with her personal needs. She noted that while her swim times met Division I standards, the cultural fit was better at St. Thomas.

Paulson finished her career at St. Thomas with three individual national championships and nine All-American designations. She contrasted the two levels of play, stating that swimming in Division I tends to consume a student's life, whereas Division III remains one component of their routine. She emphasized that different athletes find different environments suitable for their development.

Structural differences between the divisions influence these decisions. Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships, and their facilities are generally smaller than those at Division I programs. Ramos noted that while running workouts are similar at both levels, Madison provides specific resources like ice baths that were absent at Oshkosh. He also credited the academic support at the Fetzer Center, including tutoring and the ability to take exams while traveling, for his success.

Paulson, who faces the same academic standards as non-athletes at St. Thomas without designated services, said she would make the same choice again. Both Ramos and Paulson express satisfaction with their current situations. McKenna advised athletes in similar positions to weigh whether they can replace the factors that make them dominant at their current school. He added that standing out in Division III often creates opportunities for a move up.