Athletic scholarships are given to student athletes who get recognized in their respective sports for their talents. In order to dish out these scholarships, college scouts scope out these athletes and reach out to them or their coaches to negotiate a scholarship.
These scholarships can either be partial or full, with full scholarships covering more tuition costs. According to NCSA (Next College Student Athlete), “Athletic scholarships are offered at the NCAA [National Collegiate Athletic Association] D1 and D2 [Division 1 and Division 2] levels, as well as at the NAIA and NJCAA [National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and National Junior College Athletic Association] levels—combined, that’s thousands of schools… full ride athletic scholarships are typically one-year agreements between the college and the athlete.”
One such sport that receives such scholarships is boys basketball. Head boys basketball coach Noe Cantu provided some insight into the process by which colleges reach out.
“A lot of times when colleges come to watch our guys, it’s because us as coaches have reached out to schools that may have interest. We identify what level our players are, have them make a highlight tape and then we send it out to colleges everywhere. Whoever is interested usually gets our practice time or game schedule and then they come and watch us,” explained Cantu.
Softball coach Theresa Urbanovsky also gave her input into how colleges scout student athletes.
“Colleges prepare a list of players they are interested in, and they build relationships with those athletes through various opportunities. Most of these players go to camps on the campus of programs who show interest in them. This is a way of coaches working with these athletes to see if they fit the needs of a recruit they want in their program. After, an athlete has the option to show they are somebody of interest, college coaches will pursue them in various ways to show their interest. This could be following them in select games, AAU meets and games, and high school games. Once a player has proven they are worth a scholarship, college coaches will come to high school campuses to build a relationship with the athlete,” Urbanovsky divulged.
Urbanovsky also warned about the importance of student athletes keeping their grades up.
“The most important thing that coaches will look at first is the student’s GPA. If the student does not make quality grades, the college will drop them off of their list since they are a liability. Coaches cannot invest in players who are a high risk,” said Urbanovsky.
Cantu went on to give a rundown of what colleges are looking for in a high school student athlete.
“For athletes to get recognized by colleges, they first need to make good grades. If they don’t, colleges won’t even look at them because it will be too hard for them to get into their college. The other thing is they have to play well and get exposure. Playing well creates a name that carries and sparks interest from colleges,” Cantu described.
Urbanovsky focused more so on the student’s perspective when it comes to choosing a college once they start receiving athletic scholarship offers.
“A student athlete needs to express to a college coach they are interested in the program they want to go to. However, it is important for the athlete to be realistic in what schools fit their match. They should be looking at what colleges offer their major, cost to go to school, what kind of money is available in athletic and academic qualifications, how the school offers financial grants or aid and if they fit into the athletic programs culture. I personally believe as a prospect that you visit the school and get to know what the values are for the program. As a prospect, you want to make sure you find a program that you love and can live with for the next four years. If the program does not align in what is important to you, then you should continue shopping for the best fit,” advised Urbanovsky.
Athletic scholarships aren’t only offered to upperclassmen, Cantu revealed. There are things that student athletes can start doing as underclassmen to start receiving offers.
“To earn a scholarship early, you have to be the total package. You have to work really hard, play well, make your grades, stay out of trouble and develop your mind and body as that of a well-trained athlete. A lot of times, athletes don’t get serious until their senior year, and they’ve wasted so much time. The earlier they learn what it takes, the better chance they have to get a scholarship early,” Cantu said.
Urbanovsky also believes that student athletes should start preparing to get chosen for athletic scholarships, even earlier than high school.
“Colleges are recruiting as early as middle school athletes. The athletes who have the advantage over others are the ones who start attending camps at an early age. This is when coaches are evaluating the athlete and seeing how the athlete will fit in their college programs. If you want to attend a particular college, I suggest sharing a letter of interest to the coach and send[ing] videos of your skills. Also, invite the coaches to come and watch your games,” suggested Urbanovsky.
Urbanovsky provided a substitute for student athletes who don’t receive athletic scholarships.
“If a student wants to play at a college and does not receive money, they can receive financial aid depending on need and academic scholarships. The best way to create opportunities is for you to make sure you have a high GPA that shows you are worthy of an academic scholarship,” stated Urbanovsky.
Urbanovsky had a personal antidote to back up her claim, citing her time in college.
“I was blessed to have all of my school paid for to attend St. Mary’s University on an academic and athletic scholarship. My school was split with academic and athletic money. One bad year could be the difference of thousands of dollars of academic money when you are looking at what it costs to attend a university for four years. I share with my softball athletes, one B on their transcript could be the difference of academic money,” Urbanovsky shared.
Despite athletic scholarships being the goal for many student athletes, it’s not the only route athletes can go after high school. Cantu went into detail about alternative courses available to students.
“If they do not earn a scholarship and still want to play in college, they can go to a prep school and continue to work on their game. However, nothing is wrong with just going to school and being a college student and getting a degree. College athletics is not for everyone and that’s ok. Being a productive, educated citizen is what is most important. Degrees will last longer than anyone’s athletic ability,” stated Cantu.
One student athlete who has received multiple basketball scholarship offers is senior Jaylen Crittendon. Crittendon divulged which colleges reached out to him, and how they heard about him.
“I have received three scholarships: from Benedictine College, Highland [Community College], as well as Southwestern Christian College. The coaches got in touch with me from seeing either film or seeing one of my games, [and] also through elite camps that the colleges hold,” Crittendon said.
Student athletes’ work ethic are also a factor into whether or not they receive athletic scholarship offers. Crittendon explained what he does to stand out to college recruiters.
“I give God all of the glory for it before anything because it’s a real blessing to be able to even be recognized or seen by the colleges, let alone receive full scholarships. But I work very hard in every practice. I push myself past what I think my limits are to better myself and get myself to the best I can be. As well as in the game[s], I play every one like it’s my last and approach every game with a mindset to win and be the best player on the floor every time,” shared Crittendon.
As Urbanovsky stated, student athletes should choose the college that best suits them. Crittendon specified what kind of school he prefers to go to.
“I’m leaning towards… a school where the education is valued and is good, [and] also a school where the basketball system would suit me best as a player and help me reach my goal of playing professionally, whether it’s overseas internationally or [the] NBA,” Crittendon explained.
Overall, receiving athletic scholarship offers boils down to getting good grades and giving your all in both practice and games. As well, student athletes should be selective when it comes to prospective colleges: the decision they make affects not only their athletic career, but their entire collegiate experience as well.