Mike Klinzing is a former D1 student-athlete (Kent State) who is the Founder and Executive Director of Head Start Basketball - and the parent of a current D3 Athlete.

In this episode of the Student-Athlete Sessions, Mike discusses his recruiting process and what he didn't understand about coach interest at the time. He eventually signed at Kent State, but it wasn't without some luck and lessons learned that he shares in this episode.

We talk about why he values his college hoops experience, what it is like to parent kids who are athletes, and also helping his son go through the D3 recruiting process. 

This was an insightful conversation with a ton of practical takeaways for parents and recruits. Make sure to follow Mike on social media and check out his Hoop Heads Podcast!

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As always, let us know who we should interview next or questions you want us to ask future guests.

For more reliable D3 recruiting and admissions info, check out what we’re up to on other platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. We’re here to help - so ask away!

Eugene Campbell III is a former D3 student-athlete (New Jersey City University) who is currently playing professional basketball, with recent stops in Malta, Lebanon, and Jordan.

In this episode of the Student-Athlete Sessions, Eugene discusses how he got cut in high school and did not receive a single offer during his recruiting process. These challenges were not a setback, but rather fuel for his eventual rise to play college basketball and eventually secure his first professional basketball contract in Moldova.

We talk about why he values his D3 hoops experience at NJCU, what he's up to in between pro seasons including his charitable work, and Eugene gives his advice to future D3 student-athletes. 

This was an inspiring conversation and one that made clear that Eugene isn't done playing yet. So make sure to follow him on social media to see where he plays next!

Support the show

Our Website: d3-direct.com

Our Weekly Newsletter: d3direct.substack.com

As always, let us know who we should interview next or questions you want us to ask future guests.

For more reliable D3 recruiting and admissions info, check out what we’re up to on other platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. We’re here to help - so ask away!

On this episode, we sit down with two former D3 basketball All-Americans, Jeff Hunter (Keene State) and John Adams (WPI), to break down their D3 athletics experience and what they're building with Champions Corner.

Both Jeff and John dive into how they got recruited, how they developed strong habits in college, how they're challenging themselves with their post-grad athletic pursuits, and what they would tell their younger selves if they could.

We also discuss their shared venture - building Champions Corner, an athlete advocacy group that helps former college athletes adjust to life without organized sports. Reach out if you are a current college athlete who wants mentorship and guidance from former D3 athletes.

Support the show

Our Website: d3-direct.com

Our Weekly Newsletter: d3direct.substack.com

As always, let us know who we should interview next or questions you want us to ask future guests.

For more reliable D3 recruiting and admissions info, check out what we’re up to on other platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. We’re here to help - so ask away!

On this episode, we speak to a former D3 athlete who is making a name for himself as a content creator. 

Nick shares his recruiting process and why he picked Franciscan, the impact of playing multiple sports in high school, his advice to future D3 student-athletes, why he decided to start making content online, the current state of Franciscan basketball, some NBA second-half of the season predictions, and much more.

Support the show

Our Website: d3-direct.com

Our Weekly Newsletter: d3direct.substack.com

As always, let us know who we should interview next or questions you want us to ask future guests.

For more reliable D3 recruiting and admissions info, check out what we’re up to on other platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. We’re here to help - so ask away!

On this episode, we sit down with Carlo DeMarco, a director at ID Sports USA, to break down the realities of the college recruiting landscape.

Carlo shares how ID camps actually work, what college coaches are really evaluating (beyond highlight tapes), and where families waste time and money in the recruiting process. We also discuss the evolving role of exposure events, international recruiting, and how athletes can position themselves strategically, not emotionally, when building their college lists.

If you’re a serious recruit or a parent trying to navigate the noise, this conversation offers practical insight from someone who’s been operating inside the ecosystem for years and who played high-level college soccer.

Support the show

Our Website: d3-direct.com

Our Weekly Newsletter: d3direct.substack.com

As always, let us know who we should interview next or questions you want us to ask future guests.

For more reliable D3 recruiting and admissions info, check out what we’re up to on other platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. We’re here to help - so ask away!

Buzz Anthony is a former D3 student-athlete (Randolph-Macon College) who is currently playing professional basketball in Germany.

In this episode of the Student-Athlete Sessions, Buzz shares his recruiting process and why he picked D3 over other opportunities, winning a D3 National Championship, gives his advice to future D3 student-athletes, talks about why he decided to play pro basketball & what it took to earn his first opportunity, the unlikely stars on his RMC teams and why they were able to perform, and much more.

Support the show

Our Website: d3-direct.com

Our Weekly Newsletter: d3direct.substack.com

As always, let us know who we should interview next or questions you want us to ask future guests.

For more reliable D3 recruiting and admissions info, check out what we’re up to on other platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. We’re here to help - so ask away!

Rei Halloran is a former D3 student-athlete (Wesleyan University Women's Hockey) who is currently playing professionally for Järnbrotts HK in Sweden - and will soon take the ice for Team Japan in the 2026 Winter Olympics.

In this episode of the Student-Athlete Sessions, Rei shares her recruiting process as a dual-sport athlete in high school, how she decided to go D3 and what it was like starting late, her advice to future D3 student-athletes, navigating pro hockey and landing contracts, playing for Team Japan, and much more.

Support the show

Our Website: d3-direct.com

Our Weekly Newsletter: d3direct.substack.com

As always, let us know who we should interview next or questions you want us to ask future guests.

For more reliable D3 recruiting and admissions info, check out what we’re up to on other platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. We’re here to help - so ask away!

Sidney Conner is a former D3 student-athlete (WashU Women's Soccer) who is currently an assistant coach for her alma mater while she completes her MBA at WashU's Olin School of Business.

In this episode of the Student-Athlete Sessions, Sidney shares her recruiting process priorities & what made WashU feel like the right fit, why playing multiple sports helped her as a soccer goalie, how she decided between D3 and D1, her advice to future D3 student-athletes, what it has been like to coach her former teammates, winning back-to-back national titles, figuring out what major is the right one, and much more.

Support the show

Our Website: d3-direct.com

Our Weekly Newsletter: d3direct.substack.com

As always, let us know who we should interview next or questions you want us to ask future guests.

For more reliable D3 recruiting and admissions info, check out what we’re up to on other platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. We’re here to help - so ask away!

Jim Conlon is a former D3 student-athlete (Loras College Men's Soccer) who is the head coach of the Washington University of St. Louis (WashU) Women's Soccer team.

In this episode of the Student-Athlete Sessions, Coach Conlon reflects on his career as a D3 athlete & what he learned from the experience, shares how he got his start as a coach, gives his advice to future D3 student-athletes, talks about his priorities in developing his players beyond their sport, building a winning culture, and much more.

Support the show

Our Website: d3-direct.com

Our Weekly Newsletter: d3direct.substack.com

As always, let us know who we should interview next or questions you want us to ask future guests.

For more reliable D3 recruiting and admissions info, check out what we’re up to on other platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. We’re here to help - so ask away!

Duane Goodman is a former D3 student-athlete (Knox College) who is currently playing professional basketball in Malta.

In this episode of the Student-Athlete Sessions, Duane shares how he overcame a tough recruiting process, navigated a D3 school closure & the COVID pandemic, gives his advice to future D3 student-athletes, talks about why he decided to play pro basketball & what it took to earn his first opportunity, how he made D3 NIL work for him, and much more.

Support the show

Our Website: d3-direct.com

Our Weekly Newsletter: d3direct.substack.com

As always, let us know who we should interview next or questions you want us to ask future guests.

For more reliable D3 recruiting and admissions info, check out what we’re up to on other platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. We’re here to help - so ask away!