Should I play in college?

Worth asking honestly, early, and out loud. The answer changes what the next two years should look like.

College sport asks for a great deal. In season you are looking at daily training, travel that takes you out of class, and a schedule you do not control, on top of a full course load. Athletes who love it describe it as the best part of their degree. Athletes who went because it was expected often describe it differently.

Questions worth answering first

• Do you still want to train on the days nobody is watching?
• Would you pick this school if the sport disappeared in your first year?
• Are you chasing a level, or a place you actually want to be?
• What do you want to study, and does that survive the travel schedule?

There is more than one level

Division 1 is not the only version of playing in college, and for most athletes it is not the right one. Division 2, Division 3, NAIA and junior college programs are all competitive, and the smaller ones often give you more minutes, more contact with coaching staff, and a schedule that leaves room for the degree.

Our college directory covers programs at every division. Filtering by division, region, size and cost is a faster way to find the honest answer than deciding on a level first and working backwards.