Beyond The Bench:  Athletic Scholarships

By Robert Guy, D-I Associate Commissioner for Compliance & Academics

A series of articles recently appeared in The Minneapolis Star Tribune highlighting the fact that all student-athletes do not receive full athletic scholarships.  In 2005-06 (the most recent year for which figures are available) NCAA Division I and II institutions provided $1.67 billion in athletic scholarships to over 143,000 athletes.  The average athlete on scholarship got $11,700 per year with a Division I athlete receiving $14,000 and a Division II athlete receiving $6,000.  That is a significant amount of money which parents and students should recognize and appreciate as they prepare for college.

As a professional working in intercollegiate athletics I frequently get asked, “What can I do to get an athletic scholarship?”  In every case it is important to understand how much attending college and earning a degree costs.  On average, the annual cost to attend a four-year institution is $17,447 with the average student taking 55 months to compete their degree.  These figures are based on 2005-06 data and translate into a total cost of over $80,000 but easily could approach $100,000 by the time the current class of high school students enter college. 

There are steps all individuals can take to earn an athletic scholarship, thereby financing all or a significant portion of their college education.  In particular, parents and students should take a broad-based approach that includes academic development, skill development, physical development and athletic exposure opportunities. Which one is most important? A student will not be able to participate if they do not meet the admission standards of the institution or the NCAA initial-eligibility requirements.  As a result, excluding the obvious factors associated with academic preparation, the most critical component in becoming a student-athlete is physical development. 

Physical development is essential to performing the skills associated with the sport and well developed physical attributes allow an athlete to perform those skills at the highest level possible.  A number of people associated with scholastic activities believe exposure is the most crucial.  Exposure is an important component.  However, exposure can be gained through other means and even the most exhaustive marketing efforts are not going to help a student earn an athletic scholarship if they lack the appropriate physical development to perform at the Division I or the Division II level.

A training center like the Philippi Sports Institute provides parents and students a comprehensive solution for those looking to advance their academic and athletic career in higher education.  The staff makes certain athletes will meet your physical goals, provides contacts in the coaching industry, ensures athletes receive appropriate exposure opportunities, and provides resources to help students navigate the NCAA requirements needed to participate in intercollegiate athletics. 

Parents and young adults preparing for college have a future of choices and a choice of futures.  It won’t always be easy and it will take some personal sacrifice, which will give the accomplishments more meaning.  For that reason, they might ask whether they are taking the appropriate steps to accomplish their goals.  Absent the other benefits associated with physical fitness which include a positive self image, self confidence and a healthy lifestyle; a relatively inexpensive and short term investment in developing the required physical attributes associated with athletic ability can provide significant and long term financial returns.