Student-athletes share the same priorities as others when selecting the right college or university, focusing on quality academics, experienced faculty, strong support from the school, and meaningful student experiences. But they also prefer a school that allows them to practice their athletic skills.
Small, private colleges in Wisconsin offer that combination. Half of the student body at Marian University in Fond du Lac are athletes. They can choose from many athletic options in men’s and women’s sports. They also enjoy the benefits of a top-rated, small private school that focuses on student success.
Merel Nagelkerke, a field hockey player from the Netherlands, chose Marian University and is a member of the school’s inaugural women’s field hockey team. The freshman has quickly seen the benefits of her choice.
“My favorite things about the campus and the community so far are that everybody supports each other,” said Nagelkerke, who is earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. “My favorite example is that a lot of the students come to sports games and cheer for the teams. This is the same in the classroom; everybody helps and respects one another in and outside class.”
“Also, the atmosphere on campus is very welcoming,” she added, “because there are a lot of activities that bring everyone together, which creates a friendly and accessible environment.”
Advantages of Private Colleges in Wisconsin for Athletes
Marian University showcases all the advantages of a private college in Wisconsin. Students at the Fond du Lac campus enjoy small classes that allow them to collaborate with professors more frequently (the student/faculty ratio at Marian is 11:1). They also benefit from a faculty committed to the school’s mission of supporting and tutoring students, especially freshmen students spending their first extended time away from home.
Marian offers more than 40 undergraduate degrees through schools of Business, Criminal Justice, Education, Liberal Arts, Math & Science, Nursing, Human Services, and Healthcare.
In sports, student-athletes can choose from 22 intercollegiate sports. For women, they include basketball, bowling, cross country, field hockey, golf, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. For men, options include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.
Intramural sports offered at Marian University include basketball, bowling, flag football, kickball, soccer, and volleyball. There are also four club sports: Division II and Division III Hockey, men’s bowling, and eSports.
Seeing Marian University in Person
Students can visit Marian University’s Fond du Lac campus during special events held each year called Sabre Days (Sammy the Sabre is the school mascot). These events focus on telling aspiring students all that Marian University offers.
Joined by their future classmates, visitors to campus hear from faculty and coaches about the specifics of academic and athletic programs at Marian. They also learn about scholarships and financial aid and take a campus tour guided by one of Marian’s Student Ambassadors.
The Sabre Days events are open to applicants, accepted students, and prospective students. With flexibility in mind, students can visit for an individual on-campus tour, and virtual tours are just a click away.
Why Choose Marian University?
When deciding on which school to attend, the best information about the advantages of private colleges in Wisconsin for student-athletes often comes from the students themselves. Nagelkerke, the field hockey player from the Netherlands, said one feature that attracted her to Marian University in Wisconsin was the opportunity to participate in the school’s new women’s field hockey team.
“I like that this is the first team, so everybody has equal chances and that we can build this program with each other,” she said. “I also like the fact that the school is not that big and that there are small classes where you get to know your professors and classmates, and they get to know you as well.”
Nagelkerke said the most challenging part about coming to Marian University involved saying goodbye to friends in her home country. But she said that a close-knit field hockey team and an “incredible” roommate helped her acclimate to college life.
“Even though saying goodbye was the hardest part of the transition, it was also a good thing because I met amazing people,” she said. “Getting to know all those people has been my favorite part.”
