• I want to play sports in college!!
     
    Most high school athletes have aspirations to play their sport(s) beyond the high school level. While everyone won't earn a full scholarship for a Division I school, playing sports at the college level is often an attainable goal if approached the right way.
     
    Please use the link library on the left side of the page to explore some information regarding playing at the college level. While this is not an exhaustive list, do keep in mind that you should not rely solely on your coach to make all the contacts for you.
     
    Things to remember when thinking of pursuing college athletics: 
    • Academics ARE important! A college may be very interested in you athletically, but you still have to be accepted to the college. That means you have to apply and meet the minimum qualifications to be a student there. Don't wait until you become a junior or senior before you think about passing your classes with good grades; it's best to start off well as a freshman rather than playing catch up and recover.
       
    •  Your social media profile follows you. If you routinely post things on Twitter or Instagram, etc. that you wouldn't want your grandmother to see, what would a college recruiting coach think of it? Remember, just because your account is on private doesn't mean someone isn't taking screenshots of what you post. Be smart and be careful. Represent yourself and your school in the best way you can.

    • College athletics aren't always about the money. Sure, Division I and II schools can give you athletic dollars that can significantly decrease your tuition costs. NAIA schools can as well, but that doesn't mean you should rule out Division III schools. If your grades are good, DIII schools will generally offer athletes scholarship money which may be equivalent to an athletic package at a larger school. Division III schools often have fewer athletes on their programs as well, which means PLAYING TIME...and really, that's what you're after (for the love of the game.)

    • If you get offers to play at college make sure you visit the school. Visit the program and visit the college. Take a tour that is independent of the athletic program to get a sense of how the college is outside of athletics. You need to know if you would actually want to attend the school. If you're unhappy, no scholarship will make it worth it to you.

    • Just because you didn't get a scholarship right out of high school doesn't mean you'll never get money. Many athletes with no scholarship or partial scholarships earn their way to a larger cut by working hard. When you get a summer workout for your program it isn't just a suggestion. Remember that you're competing for your college but also with your teammates, in a sense. Show the coaches that they made a good choice in bringing you on.

    • Don't rule out the Red Shirt! If you get a red shirt offer, definitely consider that an invitation to complete your 4 year degree + one extra year of college...which could include a Master's Degree when you graduate. That's 5 years of higher education already paid for.

    • Most college programs are looking for well-rounded athletes. There's a lot of debate on this one, but there is a lot of evidence to suggest good college athletes played multiple sports in high school. If you're worried about the time you'll miss in the weight room, make time to do weight training. Remember that cross training through different sports as well as lifting makes your joints stronger which means fewer injuries.
     
     
Last Modified on March 8, 2017