WANT TO COMPETE IN COLLEGE TRACK & FIELD / CROSS COUNTRY? – COLLEGE TRACK AND FIELD RECRUITING

COLLEGE TRACK AND FIELD RECRUITING by Willy Wood

Participating in College Track and Field is no easy task. As mentioned in an earlier article only about 5% of high school participants will go on to compete at the next level. If you want to compete here are a few things you should know.

Although competing at the NCAA I level can be very appealing, you must realize that over 70% of colleges that sponsor track and field programs are non-Division I institutions, so cast your net wide when creating your list of possible options.

If you are looking for scholarship money, you must realize that this can be very difficult to come by in the sport of track and field. If fully funded, NCAA I men’s programs have 12.6 scholarships total to be spread out over all of the events. However, it is important to note, most programs are not fully funded. Also, this figure represents the total allotment of scholarship money, not a newly allocated annual amount. NCAA I women’s programs are allowed 18 scholarships, NCAA II men’s and women’s programs are allowed 12 and NCAA III schools do not offer athletic scholarships. Most track and field scholarships are divided up among many individuals to ensure total event coverage.

If you are a senior, the Early Signing Period passed last month. The next signing date on the Calendar is April 11, 2018. You still have time to raise your test scores before that date and enhancing your recruitment chances. The next available SAT date is on March 10, 2018, while the next scheduled ACT test date is February 10, 2018.