Big Ten Rosters: Division III Transfers Now Present at All 18 Schools

McKena Ramos transferred from UW-Oshkosh to UW-Madison after winning two national titles in the 2026-2027 season. His arrival completes a roster update across the Big Ten, as all 18 member schools now list at least one athlete who previously competed in Division III on a varsity team.

Ramos, a senior from Sheboygan, originally joined UW-Oshkosh as a recruited track athlete. His coach, Eamon McKenna, stated that the coaching staff did not anticipate a freshman would secure a national championship. Ramos won the indoor 800-meter and outdoor 1500-meter titles, fulfilling a personal condition he set to consider a move to Division I. He noted that the higher competition level at Madison has improved his times.

The pattern of movement from lower divisions to the Big Ten is not limited to track and field. In football, two Badgers have made similar transitions. Ricky Finco, a junior wide receiver, transferred from UW-Whitewater to Madison. He currently plays primarily on the scout team. Ryan Ramczyk moved from UW-Stevens Point, where he dominated the offensive line. His subsequent All-American season in Madison has raised his profile for the NFL Draft.

Not all athletes find the jump to Division I beneficial. Emma Paulson swam for UW-Madison during her freshman year but determined the environment did not suit her. She transferred to the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, a Division III institution. Paulson finished her career at St. Thomas with three individual national championships and nine individual All-American honors. She described the Division I experience as consuming, whereas Division III remains a component of daily life.

Structural differences between the divisions influence these decisions. Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships, and their facilities are generally smaller. Division I programs invest more heavily in infrastructure and support services. Ramos cited access to ice baths and athletic training facilities at Madison, which were absent at Oshkosh. He also credited the Fetzer Center for providing tutoring and the flexibility to take exams while traveling.

Paulson noted that at St. Thomas, she faces the same academic standards as non-athletes without designated support services. Despite the differing resources, both Ramos and Paulson said they would make the same choice again. Ramos described competing for Madison as a dream held since middle school.

McKenna advised athletes in Division III who stand out that opportunities to move up will arise. He emphasized that the critical factor is whether an athlete can replicate their dominance at a higher level. The presence of these transfers on all 18 Big Ten rosters indicates that the pathway from Division III to the conference is now established.