Student Athletes

  • Student-Athletes wishing to compete at the collegiate level should start researching the process early. There are multiple levels with varying academic requirements. The requirements are different from your standard high school diploma requirements so you must know the difference and plan accordingly. It is recommended that you make an appointment with your school counselor to share your interest in playing sports at the collegiate level and to meet annually to review your progress towards meeting the requirements. Ultimately it is the student’s responsibility to self-advocate and self-identify as a student athlete. 

    Levels of Collegiate Sports

    Resource: This article explains the differences between the levels of collegiate sports: Comparing Competition Levels in College Sports

    Four Year Institutions 

    • NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) : https://play.mynaia.org/ 

      • 27 different sports at more than 250 NAIA schools across the country

        • Men’s Sports: Cross Country, Soccer, Football, Basketball, Bowling, Competitive Cheer, Competitive Dance, Indoor Track & Field, Swimming & Diving, Wrestling, Baseball, Golf, Outdoor Track & Field, Tennis, Volleyball

        • Women’s Sports: Cross Country, Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Bowling, Competitive Cheer, Competitive Dance, Indoor Track & Field, Swimming & Diving, Golf, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track & Field, Softball, Tennis

    • NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) : https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/ 

      • 24 sports across Divisions, 1, 2, 3; Conferences include the Pac-12, Big 12, Big 10, Southeastern Conference (SEC), Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), and Ivy League 

        • Men’s Sports: Cross Country, Football, Soccer, Water Polo, Basketball, Fencing, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Indoor Track & Field, Rifle, Skiing, Swimming & Diving, Wrestling, Baseball, Golf, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track & Field, Tennis, Volleyball

        • Women’s Sports: Cross Country, Field Hockey, Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Bowling, Fencing, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Indoor Track & Field, Rifle, Skiing, Swimming & Diving, Beach Volleyball, Golf, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track & Field, Rowing, Softball, Tennis, Water Polo, Acrobatics & Tumbling, Equestrian (D1 & D2 only), Rugby, Triathlon, Wrestling

    Two Year Institutions 

    • NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) : https://www.njcaa.org/landing/index 

      • 500+ community colleges located across 44 states

        • Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Half Marathon, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, Wrestling

        • Women’s Sports: Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Bowling, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Half Marathon, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, Wrestling

    • CCCAA (California Community College Athletic Association): https://www.cccaasports.org/Constitution/2021-22/Bylaw_1.pdf 

      • 108 community colleges located across California offering 12 men’s sports and 12 women’s sports

        • Mens Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Swim & Dive, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, Water Polo, Wrestling

        • Women’s Sports: Badminton, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swim & Dive, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, Water Polo

    • NWAC (Northwest Atlantic Conference) : https://nwacsports.com/eligibilityrequirements 

      • 36 community colleges that offer seven men’s sports and eight women’s sports

        • Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track & Field

        • Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball

     

    Important Resources for NCAA

    To view your school's approved courses, you can visit the following website and search for your school. https://web3.ncaa.org/hsportal/exec/hsAction?hsActionSubmit=searchHighSchool

    To track your approved courses and calculate your GPA, you can use the following worksheets: http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/DI_and_DII_Worksheet.pdf

    General Resource Page for NCAA: https://web3.ncaa.org/hsportal/exec/links?linksSubmit=ShowActiveLinks

    Guide for the NCAA Student Athlete: http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/Student_Resources/CBSA.pdf