For many student-athletes competing in interscholastic competition, the opportunity to continue their athletics career at the collegiate level holds great appeal. While the prospect of earning a Division I scholarship may have been a clear goal for some, there are many other avenues of competition available for student-athletes at the college level. And regardless of whether a student has planned to compete in college, or is considering the prospect for the first time, there are likely many questions to answer
There are many important resources available for those interested in competing in college athletics, starting with the NCAA. Interested athletes should consult the NCAA Eligibility Center, which provides a wealth of information for the college-bound student-athlete and includes forms that must be completed for Division I and II incoming athletes.
NCAA Eligibility CenterFor general information check out the NCAA Guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete:
NCAA Guide for the College Bound Student-AthleteFinally here is a breakdown on the differences between the three NCAA Divisions to get a feel for where you might best fit:
Division I Division II Division IIIYou can also check out ncaa.com for results, stats, news and other items on NCAA competition:
NCAA.comYou can also check out ncaa.com for results, stats, news and other items on NCAA competition:
NCAA.comThe National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., is a governing body of small athletics programs that are dedicated to character-driven intercollegiate athletics. The following links will provide more information regarding the NAIA:
NAIA Website NAIA Eligibility Center NAIA Info for Freshmen NAIA VideosFor student-athletes eager to earn the attention of college coaches can be an elusive goal. Recruiting services, some free, some with a cost, can be found to help with that pursuit. If you are thinking of working with a recruiting service CIAC strongly recommends doing some careful research to find out exactly what service will provide you and all the costs (both up-front and otherwise). Talk with your coaches to get their insight about the recruiting process and what kind of schools might be appropriate for you. In addition, nearly all college athletic department websites provide contact and other information for interested student-athletes.