When people think of college sports in the US, they often picture a packed football or basketball stadium and a crowd going wild when the star quarterback scores a touchdown. Collegiate sports is, however, so much more than that and includes a wide variety of sports played on different levels across schools all over the United States. In this article we will elaborate more about what college athletics is all about.
What is college athletics?
College athletics refers to the sports programs offered by colleges and universities for their students. These programs can include a wide range of sports, such as soccer, volleyball, tennis, field hockey, swimming, track and field, golf, and more. Each university is a member of one of the following organizations:
- National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
- Division I
- Division II
- Division III
- National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
- National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) (2-year institutions)
- Division I
- Division II
- Division III
Student-athletes represent their school in intercollegiate competitions and championships. These teams are usually funded by the school and depending on the conference, often receive significant media coverage.
Benefits of college athletics
Well over half a million students (divided over the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA) choose to go into college sports in the United States. Student-athletes make up around 17% of the college student body, and college sports are more popular than ever! As a student-athlete, you will have you will have access to outstanding facilities and a full-time coaching staff. 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. College sports can also be a pathway to professional sports for some student-athletes.
Overall, college athletics provide opportunities for student-athletes to develop their skills and compete at a high level, while also promoting school spirit and generating revenue for the college or university.