Participating in collegiate sports: 3 ways to stay active and competitive
To many, senior year of high school seems as if it’s the last opportunity to play sports at a competitive level. I am here to tell you that going to college without a scholarship doesn’t mean you have to stop participating in sports. Colleges provide many opportunities to stay active and be competitive. There are multiple ways you can continue sports in college through intramural leagues, club teams, and varsity college teams. With endless possibilities of sports, there are plenty of opportunities for athletes at any level to participate in college sports.
Intramural Sports
The most popular collegiate sports opportunity is intramural leagues. Intramural sports seasons typically run for a five to six-week period with teams competing in a weekly game for the first half of the season. During the second half, the qualifying teams are placed into a bracket for the championship playoffs. Intramural leagues offer the availability of women, men, and co-ed teams. These leagues are great for those seeking low commitment, but still want to compete with their friends. Joining an intramural sports team is also quite affordable compared to club teams. Fees for an entire semester can be non-existent while some colleges have a year membership ranging up to about $50.
Club Teams
Club teams are one of the more competitive opportunities in college sports. These teams often have higher fees ranging anywhere from $100 to $1,000 depending on the program. They compete against other club teams in the area and often travel to play in nearby states. Depending on the level of development of the program, some teams have a full set of coaches while others may have student officers that plan the practices. Some teams also have the possibility of receiving funding from the university for the costs associated with traveling and entry fees for competitions. Club teams are often run by student officers, but also receive support from advisers through the department of Campus Recreation or Student Life. These teams provide the opportunity to participate with a team in a competitive environment, but without the demanding schedule of a varsity team.
Varsity Teams
If you have ever watched or attended a game put on by a college, you are familiar with varsity college teams. In addition to funding from the school, varsity teams receive funding and gear from sponsors such as Nike and Adidas. To be part of a varsity team one must be recruited or try out and be selected as a walk-on. Varsity athletes may receive athletic scholarships for their time and energy commitment to the team. They compete against universities in their conference and travel across the country for competitions. Although being a part of a varsity team is more time consuming, these athletes also receive additional benefits, including proper gear and athletic care by trainers and medical staff to keep their bodies healthy. Varsity athletes also receive specialized academic help in order to succeed in both the classroom and athletics.
Collegiate sports at many U.S. colleges may look different for Fall 2020. Check your school’s website for updates. After describing the many ways one can remain active in collegiate sports it is important for each individual to compare the pros and cons of each to find the best athletic opportunity for them. While competing at the varsity level may not be available to everyone there are still multiple ways to continue competing in sports in college. Participation in any of the opportunities listed will provide college students the chance to make new friends, be physically active, and become involved on campus.
About the author
Bethany Robinson
Bethany Robinson is a student at Northern Arizona University studying biology with minors in chemistry and psychology. She is a part of NAU’s Honors program and is involved with the Students of Undergraduate Research Club and the Track and Field Club on campus. Bethany enjoys doing research and is currently working with the department of Health Sciences at NAU. She also enjoys her position as NAU’s Pearson’s Campus Ambassador. In her future, Bethany hopes to attend osteopathic medical school and pursue a career in the medical field.
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