By Jackson Hawkins
It seems like playing college sports is just about being naturally gifted, working hard, and being the best player on one’s high school team, but it's actually much more complicated. Whether it’s a Division 1 school or a community college there are a variety of difficulties a student athlete might face.
Regular students typically go to the college that is the best fit for them academically and financially. However, wanting to play sports throws in another complex factor. Student athletes don’t just have to fill out applications and financial aid forms, they also need to attend showcases, contact coaches, and go on official recruiting visits. While some end up at a school that is a perfect fit, others do not.
College is a big change from high school, and kids who go to the wrong college because of sports often drop out or transfer. A lot of the time, athletes will go to a specific college just because of the chance to play sports, but they do not fit in otherwise. This year, a 2016 Pioneer graduate went to a Division 1 school 350 miles away, but is transferring back to a school in Michigan after just one semester because they disliked their coaches as well as the college overall. In college basketball, transferring is especially common, with about 40 percent of Division 1 players departing their school by the end of their sophomore year according to the NCAA. It’s also common for colleges to over-recruit, (bringing in more players than spots on the team) meaning some kids who attend a school only to play a sport get cut. This leaves them in a horrible situation with no reason to stay at a school that they might have not otherwise chosen to attend.
Some student athletes go to a college that’s right for them, but end up quitting the team to focus on academics. The time commitment of both sports and academics is much greater than in it is in high school, due to daily practices, offseason workouts, and long distance travel throughout the entire year. Students, especially those with rigorous majors, such as engineering, cannot get grades that meet their expectations and quit their respectives teams.
Many athletes who want to attend their dream school but aren’t good enough to play for the varsity team, play club sports instead and have a lot of fun. Club teams travel a good amount, and the competition is considered equivalent to a Division 3 school. Club Sports are often a good alternative for students who want to stay in the game and balance academics with athletics.
College sports are a great thing for both the university and student athletes. Sports bring attention to and make a lot of money for the universities. They also allow students to compete with and against other top athletes, lower the cost of college, and open up opportunities for students to attend top universities. However, while college sports benefit many people, they don’t work out for everybody.
Regular students typically go to the college that is the best fit for them academically and financially. However, wanting to play sports throws in another complex factor. Student athletes don’t just have to fill out applications and financial aid forms, they also need to attend showcases, contact coaches, and go on official recruiting visits. While some end up at a school that is a perfect fit, others do not.
College is a big change from high school, and kids who go to the wrong college because of sports often drop out or transfer. A lot of the time, athletes will go to a specific college just because of the chance to play sports, but they do not fit in otherwise. This year, a 2016 Pioneer graduate went to a Division 1 school 350 miles away, but is transferring back to a school in Michigan after just one semester because they disliked their coaches as well as the college overall. In college basketball, transferring is especially common, with about 40 percent of Division 1 players departing their school by the end of their sophomore year according to the NCAA. It’s also common for colleges to over-recruit, (bringing in more players than spots on the team) meaning some kids who attend a school only to play a sport get cut. This leaves them in a horrible situation with no reason to stay at a school that they might have not otherwise chosen to attend.
Some student athletes go to a college that’s right for them, but end up quitting the team to focus on academics. The time commitment of both sports and academics is much greater than in it is in high school, due to daily practices, offseason workouts, and long distance travel throughout the entire year. Students, especially those with rigorous majors, such as engineering, cannot get grades that meet their expectations and quit their respectives teams.
Many athletes who want to attend their dream school but aren’t good enough to play for the varsity team, play club sports instead and have a lot of fun. Club teams travel a good amount, and the competition is considered equivalent to a Division 3 school. Club Sports are often a good alternative for students who want to stay in the game and balance academics with athletics.
College sports are a great thing for both the university and student athletes. Sports bring attention to and make a lot of money for the universities. They also allow students to compete with and against other top athletes, lower the cost of college, and open up opportunities for students to attend top universities. However, while college sports benefit many people, they don’t work out for everybody.