Athletics In College

Athletics In College

Are you a student athlete who wants to continue playing your sport in college, but you're not sure where to begin? Here's some help!

Your starting place should be the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) site at ncaa.org. This is the organization that helps colleges and universities govern their athletics programs. Schools determine which division they'll be in, and have to meet certain criteria in order to stay in that division.

Division Differences

Division I schools have to sponsor at least 7 sports for men and 7 for women, or 6 for men, 8 for women. Football is classified as either the Football Bowl Subdivision (which used to be Division I-A) or NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (which used to be Division I-AA). Football Bowl Subdivision schools must meet certain audience attendance requirements. Basketball teams have to play all but two games against other Division I teams, and other sports must play 100% of their minimum number of contests against other Division I teams. Division I schools must also meet minimum financial aid awards within the athletic program, while also not exceeding maximum award amounts.

Division II schools have to sponsor at least 5 sports for men and 5 for women, or 4 for men and 6 for women. Football and basketball teams must play at least 50% of their games against Division II or Football Bowl Subdivision or Football Championship Subdivision teams. For other sports, there are no scheduling requirements, nor are there attendance requirements. Division II athletes are usually local or in-state, and they finance their education through a variety of ways. The Division II athletic programs are financed within the school's budget.

Division III schools have to sponsor at least 5 sports for men and 5 for women. There is no financial aid offered for athletics, and the athletic program is funded like other campus programs. Usually, Division III schools place the biggest emphasis on the experience of the athlete, rather than the experience of the spectator.

NCAA Tips

In order to compete on a college NCAA team, you have to register with the Eligibility Center. Initial eligibility requirements are that you graduate from high school, take a minimum of 14 core courses (16 for Division I schools), have a minimum GPA for these courses, and have a qualifying SAT or ACT score. The Eligibility Center's website is https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter. Click on Prospective Student Athletes to find further instructions on the amateurism certification questionnaire, and to find a high school NCAA preparation timeline.

Balancing Your Life

Handling college-level schoolwork can be tough on its own, so you really have to be sure you have your schedule down if you're going to be a student athlete. Always carry a planner with you, so you know when practices, games, and tests are going to be held. Finish your papers and homework before you indulge in downtime, even though it's tempting to leave it to the next morning if you're tired after practice. Bring your books with you to practice so you can study if you have any free time. And don't be afraid to tell someone if you're becoming overwhelmed. It happens, and you may have to cut back on your court time or drop a class, but it's better than not meeting the academic requirements needed to stay on your team.

Other Resources

www.ncaa.com
www.ncaastudent.org - Learn about the NCAA and download the Guide for the College-Bound Student Athlete
www.studygs.net/athlete.htm - Strategies for learning as a student athlete
www.campuschamps.com - Find a great school to play for and get tips on applying
www.doubleazone.com - Official blog of the NCAA