College Bound Athletes

I've been meeting lots of student athletes and their parents who "know" that they are going to get an athletic scholarship to college.  I always tell my students that it is easier to get a scholarship/grant for your brains than for your brawn.  There, simply, are more scholarship opportunities for the academically talented sudent.  Now, if you are academically and athletically gifted....the sky's the limit.  But, remember most high school athletes do not play at College Division I levels.  There is happiness playing college sports at a Division II or Division III program. 

Many high school athletes are so involved in their sport that they forget to do their "due diligence" and properly research what getting an "athletic scholarship" requires.  If you hope to play a sport in college you MUST register at www.ncaa.org during your junior year in high school.  This enables the NCAA to track all aspects of your academics, testing and recruiting.  All student athletes should read NCAA information and know it well.  Times have changed, and if a student athlete is listening to what their parents or friend's parent did to play at a college you will be getting outdated advice.  NCAA academic and testing requirements have been strengthened through the years.  Currently, to be eligible to play Division I sports a student must complete the following academic coursework:
                      - 4 years English,
                      - 3 years Math (Algebra or higher),
                      - 2 years natural/physical science (1 year Lab),
                      - 1 year additional English, Math or Science,
                      - 2 years Social Science,
                      - 4 years of Additonal coursework from English, Math, Science, Social
                          Science or Foreign Language, Philosophy or Comparative religions.

Additionally, when taking the SAT/ACT, students must send their official scores to NCAA by using Code 9999, and request final amatuerism certification from NCAA beginning April of senior year.

For the high school athlete who is considering playing in Division II or III, I always recommend getting your best grades.  Then you can earn an academic scholarship and play sports as well.  This could be the best of both worlds.