How to Become a College Athlete in 7 Easy Steps
Introduction
So you want to carry on your athletic journey in college. Well…you better have some skills and experience if you want to give yourself the best chance.
Becoming a college athlete is the dream of many, but the reality is that only about 7% of high school athletes in the U.S. make it to the collegiate level. The competition is fierce, but with the right approach, you can stand out. Whether you're targeting an NCAA Division I program or a smaller school, understanding the recruitment process, building a strong athletic profile, and knowing how to connect with coaches are essential.
This guide breaks down the steps you need to take to turn your athletic ambitions into a college career. Ready to dive in? Let’s get started.
Which NCAA Division should I choose?
Determining your sport and level of play is an important first step on the path to becoming a collegiate athlete. I would hope you have a good idea as to what sport(s) you’re good enough at to give yourself a chance to compete at the next level. Speaking of levels, there are four main levels of collegiate sports: Division I, Division II, Division III, and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). We should mention there’s also Junior Colleges (JUCO) which could be a great introduction, but we’re going to stick to the other two organizations for the purposes of this article. Each level has its own set of requirements for student-athletes, so it's important to choose the level that is the best fit for you. Let’s give at least a general overview of each.
Division I is the highest level of collegiate sports and typically involves the most competitive and physically demanding sports. To be eligible to play Division I sports, you must meet certain academic and amateurism requirements set by the NCAA. These requirements include completing a certain number of high school courses in core academic subjects, achieving a minimum GPA, and taking the ACT or SAT. In addition, Division I schools typically have the largest athletic budgets and offer the most scholarships, but again, it’s more competitive and thus more difficult to get into because of this.
Division II is the second-highest level of collegiate sports and typically involves a mix of competitive and recreational sports. Division II schools have fewer athletic scholarships and a smaller athletic budget compared to Division I schools. However, Division II schools still offer a high level of competition and often have strong athletic programs. Too many student-athletes “poo-poo” Division II, but the high end is just as strong as DI, and have produced many Olympians and professional athletes, the pool is just smaller. Class sizes are generally more reminiscent of a high school, with classes averaging between 30 and 40 students. NCAA eligibility requirements are nearly identical.
Division III is the third-highest level of collegiate sports and typically involves recreational or club sports. Division III schools are not afforded athletic scholarships by the NCAA itself, which can sometimes be a turnoff for those looking for additional assistance, but there are always numerous grants, academic scholarships, and financial aid available. As an athlete, you may get a bump up the admissions line or aid because schools like athletes here. DIII does also offer a wide range of sports with a more relaxed atmosphere for student-athletes. The priority at Division III schools is the student first, but athletic competition and rivalries are still very strong.
The NAIA is a level of collegiate sports that is not a part of the NCAA but is similar to Division II or Division III in terms of competitiveness and scholarship opportunities. The NAIA has its own set of eligibility requirements and is not governed by the NCAA. Do not discount NAIA athletically either. Scholarships for athletics are also awarded here. Your ability to participate at one of these schools is fairly high, but the competition is sometimes fierce. Top NAIA schools have made the switch to NCAA II and become powerhouses. Over the years, schools such as Western Colorado University and Adams State University in the RMAC, and more recently, Azusa Pacific, have made the switch.
In addition to choosing the right level for you, it's also important to choose a sport that you are passionate about and excel at. This will give you the motivation and drive to succeed as a collegiate athlete. Some athletes are skilled enough, and highly sought after, that schools are willing to allow them to participate in more than one collegiate sport. These “multi-sport athletes” may benefit further, as the school programs (usually two sports) can split their scholarship and pay them a little extra.
Remember, the road to becoming a collegiate athlete is a long and challenging one, but it can also be extremely rewarding. By choosing the right sport and level for you and working hard to meet the necessary requirements, you can turn your dream of becoming a collegiate athlete into a reality.
NCAA and NAIA Requirements
To be eligible to play collegiate sports, you must meet certain academic and amateurism requirements set by the NCAA or the NAIA. These requirements are in place to ensure that student-athletes are academically prepared for college and have maintained their amateur status.
For both the NCAA and the NAIA, you must complete a certain number of high school courses in core academic subjects, such as English, math, science, and social studies. You must also achieve a minimum GPA, which varies depending on the division and the number of core academic courses you have completed. In addition, you must take the ACT or SAT and achieve a qualifying score.
NCAA Division I and II Eligibility Requirements
NCAA Division III
Division III has it’s own eligibility requirements. It’s up to each school in D3 to set their own, so it will be dependent upon you to reach out to the school you are interested in to see what it is you need to do to be eligible for them
NAIA
The same is generally true for NAIA as well, but they have basic requirements depending on your year and if you’re an international student or a transfer from another school/division. You can find more information by checking out the NAIA Eligibility Center Requirements.
The NCAA and the NAIA also have amateurism requirements, which ensure that student-athletes have not received any compensation or benefits for their athletic abilities. This includes not accepting money or other incentives for participating in your sport, such as receiving free gear or transportation.
It's important to start preparing for these eligibility requirements early, as they can be quite rigorous. Keep track of your academic progress and make sure you are meeting the necessary requirements for your chosen division and sport. You can, and probably should, also consider working with an academic advisor or counselor to help you stay on track.
Remember, meeting the NCAA or NAIA eligibility requirements is an important step on the road to becoming a collegiate athlete. In fact, it’s the single most important piece outside of being a skilled athlete. Without meeting these requirements, no matter how good you are, you cannot play in college.
Here you can learn more about the NCAA Eligibility Center and NCAA Eligibility Requirements from our partner site.
Building You Athletic Profile
Building a strong athletic profile is crucial to impressing college coaches and increasing your chances of getting recruited. It’s also very underutilized in a day and age where the internet, social media, and media content reign supreme.
This includes maintaining a high level of performance in your sport, keeping track of your stats and highlights, and creating a recruiting video. Here are some specific tips on how to build your athletic profile:
Maintain a high level of performance: To impress college coaches, you'll need to consistently perform at a high level in your sport. This means working hard in practices, games, and other competitions to improve your skills and achieve your goals.
Keep track of your stats and highlights: College coaches want to see evidence of your athletic ability, so it's important to keep track of your stats and highlights. This could include your batting average, touchdown total, or other relevant stats for your sport. You should also consider saving video clips of your best plays or performances for use in your recruiting video or highlight reel.
On that note, linking to your Milesplit or Athletic.net pages is also recommended for ease of use. Make finding all your info in one place as easy as possible for coaches to follow you. The easier for them, the better your chances at success.
Create a recruiting video: A recruiting video is a short video that showcases your athletic skills and abilities. It's a great way to get noticed by college coaches and can help you stand out from other recruits. When creating your recruiting video, be sure to include a variety of highlights and show off your skills in multiple situations. You should also consider adding music and other effects to make your video more visually appealing. There are several websites and businesses that can help you create a professional-quality recruiting video, such as Hudl and SportsRecruits.
Join a club team or participate in showcases or camps: Another way to get noticed by college coaches is to join a club team or participate in showcases or camps. These events are attended by college coaches and provide an opportunity for you to showcase your skills in front of a larger audience. There are several websites and businesses that can help you find club teams, showcases, and camps in your area, such as Elite Exposure and NCSA. That said, in my experience, these kinds of sites have been hit and miss, especially for the money you can spend.
By following these tips and possibly utilizing resources like Hudl, SportsRecruits, Elite Exposure, or NCSA, you can build a strong athletic profile that will help you impress college coaches and increase your chances of getting recruited. Remember, it takes hard work and dedication to build a strong athletic profile, but the effort will be worth it in the long run.
Reaching Out To College Coaches
Reaching out to college coaches is an extremely important step in the process of getting recruited. By introducing yourself and highlighting your athletic achievements and goals, you can demonstrate your interest in attending their school and playing for their team. Here are some specific tips on how to reach out to college coaches:
Introduce yourself: When contacting a college coach, be sure to introduce yourself and provide some basic information about your background and experience. This could include your name, position, high school, and club team (if applicable). You should also provide your contact information, such as your email address and phone number.
Highlight your athletic achievements and goals: In your initial contact with a college coach, you should highlight your athletic achievements and goals. This could include your stats, awards, and any other notable accomplishments. You should also clearly state your goals for your collegiate athletic career and explain why you are interested in attending their school and playing for their team.
Attach your recruiting video or highlight reel: To give college coaches a better idea of your skills and abilities, consider attaching your recruiting video or highlight reel to your email or message. This will give them a more comprehensive view of your athletic abilities and help them get a sense of your potential as a student-athlete.
Use email or social media: There are several ways to contact college coaches, including email and social media. Email is a more formal method of communication, while social media allows for a more casual and interactive approach. Whichever method you choose, be sure to use proper grammar and spelling and keep your message brief and to the point.
Know the NCAA rules: It's important to be aware of the NCAA rules regarding contact between college coaches and prospective student-athletes. For example, college coaches are not allowed to contact you until after your junior year of high school. In addition, there are limits on the number of phone calls and in-person visits you can receive from college coaches. Be sure to familiarize yourself with these rules to ensure that you are following NCAA regulations.
One of the best initial ways of reaching out is via email. Find the coach’s information on the school’s athletics page, write an email that includes everything we’ve talked about so far from above, and send it. There’s nothing that says you can’t save an email as a template and adjust it for each coach -- I recommend it.
Getting Recruited
If a college coach is interested in recruiting you, they will likely invite you on a visit to the school's campus. This is a great opportunity to see the campus and meet with the coaches and players. It's also an opportunity for you to get a better feel for the school and the athletic program and determine if it's the right fit for you.
There are certain rules set by the NCAA and the NAIA regarding college visits. For example, the NCAA allows Division I and II schools to pay for your travel expenses, meals, and lodging on your official visit. Division III schools are not allowed to pay for these expenses. The NAIA has similar rules regarding official visits, but the specific details may vary.
NAIA is quite lax in regards to rules. They can invite you to visit campus any time, contact you anytime, train with the team multiple times, etc. NAIA colleges can’t pay for your travel expenses, but they can set you up with hotel accommodations near campus or pay for meals for you and your parents during the visit. In that way, they are similar to the NCAA official visit.
During your college visit, wherever you go, you may be given a tour of the campus, meet with academic advisors, and have the chance to talk with current student-athletes. You should absolutely meet with the college coach to discuss your athletic goals and potential role on the team, sit in on a practice, and learn as much as you can about the program and what to expect.
If you are offered a scholarship, be sure to carefully review the terms and conditions before accepting. Take your time, and don’t let yourself be pressured. Coaches may hit you with a deadline to accept, but you’re the one in control. Scholarships can be a great way to help pay for college, but it's important to understand the expectations and obligations that come with them. For example, you may be required to maintain a certain GPA or meet other academic or athletic requirements in order to retain your scholarship.
It's also important to remember that getting recruited is just one step on the road to becoming a collegiate athlete. Once you are enrolled in college, you will need to balance your academic and athletic responsibilities and work hard to succeed both on and off the field. This may be the most challenging aspect for many.
While on your college visit, be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to get to know the city and surrounding area. This will help you get a better feel for the place you’re likely to spend the next several years, and decide if you can see yourself enjoying your stay. As silly as it sounds, consider your hobbies and creature comforts. I’ve personally known people who transferred out to other schools simply because there wasn’t a mall or movie theater in town, and that’s something they really felt they needed in their life. Put yourself in a place that is conducive to being a hard-working student-athlete, but secondarily, find a spot that you’re not giving away too much that you can’t find ways to recharge how you see fit.
By keeping an open mind, being proactive, and doing your research, you can increase your chances of getting recruited and find the right fit for you as a collegiate athlete. Remember, it's important to choose a school and athletic program that aligns with your academic and athletic goals and provides a supportive environment for your success.
Balancing College and Athletics
One of the biggest challenges of being a collegiate athlete is balancing your academic and athletic responsibilities. As a student-athlete, you are expected to maintain a high level of performance both in the classroom and on the field, by both your coaches and your professors -- each one needing just as much out of you. This can be a demanding and time-consuming task, but it's important to stay focused and prioritize your responsibilities.
One way to balance your academic and athletic responsibilities is to stay organized and manage your time effectively. This could include creating a schedule that allows you to allocate sufficient time for your classes, practices, and other activities. You should also make use of available resources, such as study groups, mandatory study halls, and tutoring, to help you stay on track with your academics.
What helped me out tremendously, was starting my collegiate career by planning out every class I was going to take for the next four years, the summer before my freshman year. That meant sitting down and looking over credits and classes I needed to graduate with my degree. I planned out each class, for every semester, for my freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years and never had to think about it again.
It’s not always that simple, depending on where you go to school and what classes are given, at what times, each semester but it will get you started and make your life a lot simpler.
It's also important to communicate with your coaches and professors about your schedule and any conflicts that may arise for them. By working together and staying open and honest about your commitments, you can find a balance that works for you. Many coaches tell you that practices are at a certain time each year and to schedule your classes around that so there’s never any conflicts. Again, if possible, I highly recommend doing just that.
It's important to keep in mind that every student-athlete's experience is unique and there is no one-size-fits-all solution to balancing college and athletics. Some student-athletes may find it helpful to create a strict schedule and stick to it closely, while others may prefer a more flexible approach. The key is to find what works best for you and your individual needs.
Some of you may take on jobs to help pay for things you want, or pay for your tuition or books. It can certainly be done, but you damn-well better be prepared mentally and physically, and be very good at sticking to your schedule for it to succeed. You will need to make the necessary adjustments to still perform in class, at practice, and at your work, all while staying sane.
Remember, as a student-athlete, you are representing your school and your athletic program. By prioritizing your responsibilities and working hard to succeed both academically and athletically, you can set a positive example for others and set yourself up for success after graduation. In fact, many employers look favorably upon student-athletes who graduate and may be more likely to consider them for job opportunities due to the rigors associated with balancing such a task.
Finally, as we alluded to earlier, it's important to remember to take care of yourself physically and mentally. This includes getting enough sleep, eating well, and finding time for activities you enjoy outside of your academics and athletics. By taking care of yourself, you can better manage the demands of being a student-athlete and stay motivated and focused on your goals.
Balancing college and athletics can be a challenging task, but it is also an extremely rewarding experience. You get to play a sport and perhaps even get your education paid for, in part or in whole, because you have additional value! By staying organized and making use of available resources, you can succeed as a student-athlete and graduate with a strong foundation for your future.
What To Expect
Being a collegiate athlete is an exciting and challenging experience that can provide numerous opportunities and experiences. Here are some things you can expect as a collegiate athlete:
Time commitment: As a collegiate athlete, you can expect to spend a significant amount of time on your sport. This includes practices, games, conditioning, and other team activities. In addition, you will also need to allocate time for your academics and any other commitments you may have. It's important to be prepared for the time commitment and to manage your time effectively. Now is the perfect time to start learning how to schedule, because you’ll use it the rest of your life.
Physical demands: Collegiate athletics can be physically demanding, as you might guess, and you can expect to push yourself to the limit at times. This may include long practices, grueling workouts, and competing at a high level. It's important to take care of your body and stay in good physical condition in order to meet the demands of your sport. All colleges and universities should offer an athletic training team to help address injuries and more, though not all are made equally.
Mental challenges: Being a collegiate athlete can also be mentally challenging, as you will be expected to perform at a high level under pressure. You may face challenges such as dealing with setbacks in your training or performances or facing tough opponents, and it's important to have mental toughness and a positive attitude to overcome these challenges. I recommend getting to know your sports psychology professors who are more than happy to help you when they can. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, every athlete needs it. Just ask any professional athlete.
Team dynamics: As a collegiate athlete, you will also be part of a team and will be expected to work together and support one another. This includes things like team bonding activities and working together to achieve team goals. It's important to be a good teammate and contribute to the team's success. Don’t just have teammates, make a family, because that’s exactly who they are when you’re away at college and they are going through the exact same things you are.
Opportunities for personal and professional growth: Finally, being a collegiate athlete can provide numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth. In addition to developing your athletic skills, you will also have the opportunity to develop your leadership skills, teamwork skills, and other valuable skills that can be useful in a variety of settings. Have an issue? Find a solution and run with it. You may also have the opportunity to participate in community service projects and other activities that can help you grow as a person and make a positive impact in your community, which could pay dividends down the road.
As a collegiate athlete, you can expect to face numerous challenges and opportunities. By being prepared and working hard, you can make the most of your experience and graduate with a strong foundation for your future. Remember, being a collegiate athlete is a demanding and rewarding experience that requires dedication, hard work, and a positive attitude, even when you just don’t want to get out of bed in the morning. That happens a lot…so get out there and start!
