College Athletics

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Guidelines for Participation on Collegiate Teams

Many Friends Select student-athletes wish to pursue athletics at the collegiate level. Numerous Friends Select graduates have gone on to play sports at Division I, Division II and Division III colleges and universities.

Students should take into consideration many factors when considering playing an intercollegiate sport. Some factors to consider are the sport that you want to play, the time commitment involved, the mental and physical capability needed to participate at the next level and at what level to play.

A student should begin to market themselves during their freshman year.

There is a lot of information to disseminate and many decisions that have to be made in order to find a school that best suits your individual needs. There are differences between each division of competitiveness on the college level and differences between the levels of sports at different institutions. Students should research schools that will be a good fit both athletically and academically.

The following information will help guide students through the college recruiting process. It includes a timeline of how to get noticed by and how to contact college coaches. Students can also find information that will help them learn about the differences between divisions, recruiting rules, clearinghouse registration and much more.

Role of the Coach

The coach will advise the student through the recruiting process educating him/her in the differences among Division I, II and III schools and steering him/her toward schools that match her/his level of play. The coach will also advise the student as to the appropriateness of a video and the content of the video that will be sent to coaches. Finally the coach will supply information about camps, showcases and other venues for exposure to collegiate coaches.

Role of the Student

Students should research colleges that match both their academic and athletic needs. Your coach and/or director of athletics can advise you through this process. Fill out online recruiting forms and begin to contact college coaches early on in the process. Maintain contact with coaches throughout the duration of your decision making process. Be sure to communicate with your parents throughout the process to help determine a school that is appropriate financially for your family. Register for the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse at the beginning of your senior year.

Athletic Checklist By Grade: