Want to Play sports in college? 

Students who play sports in high school may want to continue these activities in college. Although the playing field shifts somewhat with progression to collegiate-level sports, many young people continue to participate in organized sports. By learning about the organizations involved in college sports and the recruiting process, a student can prepare for a successful and enjoyable college sports experience. Start by figuring out what level of play makes the most sense for you:

• • Intramural - If you’re looking to round up a group of friends for informal games, intramural sports are your best option. Intramural sports are the most casual and affordable way to join organized athletics. They also offer some of the most diverse sports. Schools feature everything from Quidditch to dodgeball to flag football. Intramural sports also are great for people with little free time or a small budget. They don’t require attendance at every game and the biggest cost usually is a small fee to form a team.

  • Club - Club sports are a step up from intramurals. Club teams are more competitive, play against other schools and require tryouts to join. If you end up on a team, you’ll work with other skilled student athletes and a coach. Schools tend to sponsor club teams. If you want to continue your experience in organized sports after leaving high school, club sports might be the best choice.

  • Collegiate - Collegiate sports are the most rigorous of all undergraduate athletics. They are the most competitive and organized, plus they are funded by the college or university. They’re sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association in divisions (i.e. DI, DII, DIII), and the recruitment and eligibility processes to go this path is more involved than intramural or club. 

Thinking collegiate?

Colleges can participate in NCAA sports as Division I, Division II, or Division III schools. Larger colleges typically participate as Division I schools, and smaller colleges fall into the Division II or III categories. Division I and II colleges can offer students athletic scholarships, but Division III colleges cannot offer athletic scholarships to students. The NCAA has specific eligibility requirements for student athletes: Students must have graduated from high school, they must complete a minimum number of academic courses, and they must maintain a minimum grade-point average.  Student athletes participating in NCAA sports can expect to spend a significant amount of time practicing. The time can vary depending on the division and the type of sport, but athletes can spend up to 20 hours per week practicing during the in-season.

What it means to be a college athlete

We love what we're seeing out of Michigan Medicine! A real focus on what it means to be a college athlete and the many challenges that can come with it. Check out these great videos at