Study & compete in track & field in America – combine sports and study
Do you want to combine your passion for track and field with a world-class degree? Nowhere else is the sport as large and professional as it is within the American college system. Whether you’re a sprinter, jumper, thrower, or distance runner, the opportunities are endless. You’ll train in state-of-the-art facilities and be surrounded by a team of experts, with chances for talented athletes at every level.
On top of everything else, student-athletes learn to work and thrive in a team environment, which alters and shapes them into well-rounded, unselfish, team-oriented, and driven individuals. These qualities will help you be successful, whether on or off the track.
How does a Track and Field scholarship work?
With over a thousand of universities offering track and field programs (e.g. NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA), there is a place for every discipline. Coaches use concrete results to determine your level. Your personal records, your times, distances, and heights, are crucial in this process.
The foundation is the athletic scholarship, which can cover up to the full cost of attendance (‘full ride’). However, the total financial package is often a smart combination of:
- Academic Scholarships: For strong grades (GPA) and test scores (SAT/ACT).
- International Student Aid: Special funds that universities have available for non-US students.
‘Stacking’ these scholarships is a complex puzzle. This is precisely where our expertise and experience make the difference in creating the best possible offer for you.
What does a scholarship cover?
Tuition
Your scholarship can cover the full cost of tuition, which can range from $10,000 to over $70,000 per year.
Training gear
You will receive a complete set of team apparel, spikes, shoes, and other gear from top brands, all provided by the university.
Room&Board
The costs for your room on campus ('dorms') and your daily 'meal plan' can be fully covered by your scholarship.
Insurance
It is mandatory to have health insurance and some schools require international students to take a school’s policy.
Books
A significant expense that is often included in your scholarship package, saving you between $400 and $1200 annually.
Spending money
With a 'full ride' scholarship, you may even receive an extra monthly stipend for personal expenses.
Life as a College Athlete: Training & Competition
As a student-athlete, you step into a professional environment designed to make you faster, higher, and stronger. You’ll be surrounded by a team of experts and have access to world-class facilities. These include:
- A complete coaching staff: Including a head coach and specialized coaches for your specific discipline (sprints, throws, jumps, etc.).
- World-class facilities: Access to state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor tracks, elite weight rooms, and advanced performance analysis technology.
- A unique competition schedule: Unique to track and field, you compete in two full seasons. The Indoor Season takes place in the winter, while the Outdoor Season is in the spring, culminating in the prestigious NCAA National Championships.
Travel through America & battle for the championship
While track and field is an individual sport, the college experience is a true team adventure. The competitive season is divided into an indoor season, with competitions on impressive indoor tracks, and an outdoor season, the traditional track season. But the experience goes much further than just the competitions:
- Travel as a team: You travel with your teammates, who quickly become your best friends, throughout the regio, and sometimes the entire country. This means not only competing but also discovering the diversity of America, from long bus rides filled with music and camaraderie to flights for important away matches.
- The dream of “The Nationals”: The ultimate goal of the season is to qualify for the conference tournament and then “The Nationals.” Here, the best athletes from across the US compete for the coveted National Championship.
Overview of an academic year
The Fall semester (often referred to as off-season) is used to prepare intensively for the coming Spring season. Some Track athletes are also part of the cross-country team who have their main season in the Fall.
Showtime! – The season begins with indoor meets at the beginning of the Spring and will end with the National indoor tournament. This is quickly followed by a shift to outdoor meets until the National Championships officially close the college season in mid-June.
Summer break – There is a possibility to stay in The USA and take summer classes or work in camps. Most students decide to go back to their families to enjoy the 2.5-month break to rest and individual preparation for pre-season.
Day in the life of a student-athlete
Sports & academics are 100% coordinated, so you have the opportunity to excel on both the track as well as in the classroom.
6:30
Weight/conditioningget ready for the
weight/conditioning training.
7:45
Shower/BreakfastShower and then have breakfast with teammates or friends in one of the dining facilities on the college campus.
8:30
Classes11:45
LunchLunch with teammates and friends, again at one of the various food halls available on campus using your prepaid ‘meal plan’ card.
12:30
Classes14:30
PracticeArrive at the training room to prepare for practice. You may get stretched out or taped by an athletic trainer (physiotherapist)
17:30
Recover/Shower/DinnerBack to the training room to make sure you take care of yourself physically after practice (ice bath/physical therapy). After taking a shower, you will have dinner with teammates and friends.
19:00
Study/LeisureTime to get some studying or homework done. When other sports teams are in action, a good College athlete supports their fellow athletes! The rest of the evening is your own!
4 Surprising Facts About College Athletics
- The #1 route to the Olympics: Imagine if the NCAA were a country. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, they would finish second in the medal count, with 330 medals won by more than 1,200 (former) student-athletes.
- Specialized Coaching for Every Discipline: Whether you’re a pole vaulter, hammer thrower, or hurdler, at a good university you’ll get a coach who is 100% specialized in your discipline. This level of expertise is rare outside the college system.
- Two Seasons, Two Chances for Success: Unique to track and field is that you have both an indoor and an outdoor season. This means two opportunities a year to compete in major tournaments and compete for a national championship.
- Personal Proof: Our track ambassador, Anna Sjoukje Runia, is living proof of the possibilities. She combined her talent with a full athletic scholarship to the University of Miami, a top Division 1 program. Her experiences are now helping the next generation.
Curious about your chances?
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