In the new era of college athletics… where NIL deals and the transfer portal have upended traditional recruiting pipelines… mid-major programs are facing a harsh reality… retaining elite talent is harder than ever. The best athletes are no longer just eyeing Power Five schools out of high school… they’re transferring into them after breakout freshman seasons. For mid-majors, this means the recruiting cycle never truly stops. You’re not just building a class… you’re constantly replacing one.
So how do you stay competitive in a system that’s constantly reshuffling the deck?
You design for impact.
Not just function. Not just tradition. But visual… emotional… high-performance impact.
Facilities aren’t just where players train… they’re how they decide where to go.
At D1 Design Group, we’ve spent years transforming spaces for college programs across the country, and the message from recruits has never been clearer… The right environment matters. Weight rooms, locker rooms, lounges, film rooms… every one of these areas is a chance to show recruits and transfers that your program is serious. That your culture has teeth. That you value development. That you’re investing in them.
When you walk a 17-year-old high school senior or a portal transfer through your facility, they need to feel like they’ve stepped into something built for the next level. If they walk in and see outdated lockers, scuffed floors, or unbranded weight rooms, you’re not just behind… you’re losing.
The Portal Era… An Endless First Impression
The portal has made every offseason a new recruiting battle. You’re pitching your program over and over… sometimes to the same athletes you already developed. A well-designed facility creates consistency in your message. It reinforces brand. It becomes a key retention tool… not just a recruiting one.
And with NIL being what it is, you need to be showing value in every corner of your program. You may not outspend the SEC, but you can out-impress. You can design smarter. Cleaner. Bolder. More focused on what athletes care about… development, exposure, and experience.
It’s Not Just the Locker Room… It’s the Story You Tell
Every detail sends a message. Wall graphics. Lighting. Furniture. Branding. If it looks like it belongs at the next level, it helps an athlete believe they can get there from your program. That belief is your edge.
Because when everyone else is chasing stars, a well-designed facility helps you develop them… and maybe, just maybe, keep them longer than expected.
The Takeaway… Control What You Can Control
You can’t change the NIL landscape. You can’t slow down the portal. But you can show recruits that your program is built with intent… built to win… and built to last. And that starts with the facility they walk through on day one.
In this era of constant movement… design is stability… and that’s exactly what every athlete is looking for.
In a landscape where talent moves fast… is your facility built to make them stay? Fill out our quick contact form here.
