“I Have Good Grades. Why On Earth Should I Play Sports at a 2 Year College?”

3 Reasons to Investigate Opportunities Beyond the NCAA & NAIA

“I need a FULL RIDE in sports to go to college.”

As a recruiting educator, I hear this quote quite often from student-athletes looking for scholarship opportunities to continue their education. Their parents usually nod in the background as they ask if I can help them ‘get seen’ by college coaches to find funding for their education with sports. I always ask the student-athlete what colleges they have contacted. If they have not named multiple junior colleges, I encourage them to market themselves with video and by sending emails to the college coaches letting them know of their interest.

For some teens, the better opportunity to be fully funded through athletic scholarships may be at a 2-year college. Having been a college coach for 14 years at the NCAA Division I, II, and NAIA levels, I had many student-athletes transfer to play and be very successful for me at 4-year colleges after spending one or two years of playing with the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) at a 2-year school. It is an option that many do not fully explore just because they have the disease of “D1 on the brain”.

For my book, Looking For A FULL RIDE?: An Insider’s Recruiting Guide, I interviewed over 65 college coaches and athletic directors. In addition, I interviewed multiple executive staff of various governing bodies, including Dr. Christopher J. Parker, Chief Executive Officer of the National Junior College Athletic Association.

Dr. Parker reinforced the opportunities of this level, “The NJCAA is 79 years old and we focus on student success. We empower students to be their best and strive for their goals whatever that may be. We value our 47 national championships and have passion for every student. Also, [I encourage student-athletes] to not just say no to a college without seeing or hearing them out. Often students will just say no, when in fact, they turned away a great opportunity to at least review.”

I want to encourage you to consider a few reasons why it may be a good option to investigate:

1. Stay Closer to Home for Social and Academic Reasons

Dr. Parker continued, “Some students need more time to develop socially and choose to stay at home for a couple years and compete at their local two-year college. Sometimes they are being way too specific in their major when they truly aren’t sure. Have an idea in mind, but don’t lock yourself in before you start. Look for colleges and opportunities that give you flexibility. That’s what two-year colleges do.”

2. More Opportunities To Be A Leader On A Team

Dan Kenneally, the Head Women’s Soccer Coach for Spartanburg Methodist College, has spent 32 years working in athletic departments. He serves as the Title IX Deputy Coordinator and Director of Soccer at the NJCAA school in South Carolina. “Being at a 2-year school, you are going to have to step up and be leader during your freshman year. If I have 20 freshmen coming in, I am always asking who are going to lead as freshman? We need them to step up and make an immediate impact.”

3. Potential Athletic Scholarships & Future Athletic Opportunities

Dr. Parker continued, “The two-year level often provides varied opportunities if not on a full scholarship to a 4-year college, then a student-athlete can earn a scholarship to an NJCAA college or at least save a lot of money if needed by living at home, the continued athletic development to reach his or her highest level of competition upon transferring and academic development if necessary.”

For those who graduate with an Associate Degree from a 2-year school, it is usually a pretty easy transition in terms of eligibility and transferring classes, but always check with the 4-year school and the NCAA or NAIA for transfer requirements. However, if a student-athlete does not obtain the Associate Degree, it is still possible to be eligible, but it can be a bit more complicated formula depending on which classes transfer into the 4-year college. If you are interested in playing at a 4-year after spending some time at a NJCAA college, I would highly recommend you start planning for that process early in your freshmen year of college to ensure the coursework you take will transfer and apply to NCAA or NAIA eligibility.

Would you like help with understanding the college recruiting process? Get our FREE REPORT: Strategies to Emailing A College Coach by going to www.lookingforafullride.com.

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• Parents of High School Student Athletes Walking Through The Process (All Sports)
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