Thinking about playing a sport in college? Go for it! Whether you are an elite athlete dreaming to play in front of 100,000 fans or looking for an intramural team simply to stay fit and have fun, college offers opportunities to every student who wants to play.
Facts You Need to Know
- Varsity teams represent their college and play against other colleges. Athletes must meet academic requirements and may be eligible for athletic scholarships. Sports associations (such as the NCAA, NJCAA, and NAIA) oversee varsity teams.
- Club teams compete against club teams from other colleges. Students are in charge of all aspects of the club. Club teams can be quite competitive and time consuming as they can compete at regional and national levels.
- Intramural leagues are organized by the college and are the least intense in terms of competitiveness and time commitment. Teams play against other teams at the same college.
If you are hoping to get an athletic scholarship, there are three main organizations to consider: NCAA, NJCAA and NAIA. Understanding their differences and requirements is the first step in forging your path.
NCAA
The National College Athletics Association is the most recognized college sports organization comprised of three divisions – D1, D2 and D3. It includes over 1200 schools and institutions and 450,000 athletes.
D1 and D2 schools are usually large public universities that offer athletic scholarships. D1 programs are the most competitive, offer the most money in terms of scholarships and have strict rules about eligibility. D2 programs offer less money, have looser eligibility rules, and therefore work better for foreign students. It is possible for students to start at a D2 school and move to D1 after two years. D3 programs are usually small private colleges and set their own admissions and eligibility standards. They do not offer athletic scholarships but do offer academic scholarships. Learn more about NCAA’s Divisions.
If you want to play NCAA sports at a D1 or D2 school, you need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center before your sophomore year of high school. The NCAA’s Guide to the College Bound Athlete spells out specific academic standards for both D1 and D2 and provides worksheets to help you monitor you high school progress to make sure you stay on track.
If you are planning to attend a D3 school, create a free Profile Page at the NCAA Eligibility Center. Then visit NCAA D3 or contact the D3 school you are interested in.
NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes is a smaller organization. Its membership includes over 65,000 student athletes in about 250 smaller private universities. The NAIA has two divisions and their D1 is often compared to the NCAA’s D2. Their academic and athletic standards are not as high as NCAA’s D1, and therefore may be a good option for international athletes seeking scholarships. Visit NAIA to learn more.
Both US and international students must complete what the organization refers to as the “Big 3” in order to be placed in line for an eligibility center decision. Visit the Eligibility Center to create a profile, send in the required documents, and get on the recruitment “short list”.
NJCAA
The National Junior College Athletic Association’s is the organization that oversees the athletic departments of two-year community and junior colleges. This is a viable choice for students attending these schools or even those who play club sports but decide to play more rigorously. For more information check out the NJCAA Prospective Student Brochure. To determine your eligibility visit the NJCAA Eligibility Center.