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Are you aiming to join a college track and field team?

The path to securing a spot on a collegiate track and field team is highly competitive, considering the large number of High School athletes involved. Only a small percentage of track and field recruits, approximately 4.8%, go on to compete at the NCAA college level, with even fewer (1.9%) participating in Division 1 programs. International recruitment also plays a role, with around 9% of international student athletes at the Division 1 level competing in track and field. To increase your chances, it is essential to excel both athletically and academically, as well as navigate the track and field recruiting process effectively. This journey spans multiple years and involves various milestones, from researching top track and field programs to reaching out to coaches.

Are you familiar with the NCAA recruiting rules and calendar for college track and field?

These guidelines determine when and how college coaches can communicate with prospective athletes. In Division 1 and Division 2, most communication is permitted from June 15 after the athlete's sophomore year in high school. These rules aim to balance the communication between coaches and athletes while preventing overwhelming contact.

Additionally, there are provisions that allow recruits to initiate contact with coaches themselves. We provide a comprehensive explanation of the track and field recruiting rules and calendar to help you navigate the college track and field recruiting process successfully.

However, it is important to note that coaches at the NCAA Division 3, NAIA and NJCAA levels have more flexibility in creating their own recruiting rules and schedules. They are not subject to the same strict limits on coach-athlete communication as in Division 1 and Division 2.

Understanding how college track and field scholarships works

Understanding how college track and field scholarships work is essential for aspiring collegiate athletes. Over 1,000 colleges offer track scholarships, providing opportunities at various levels of competition such as NCAA Division 1 and 2, NAIA, NJCAA and CCCAA.

In track and field, scholarships are typically divided among multiple athletes due to the sport being an equivalency sport. Coaches have the flexibility to distribute scholarship funds as partial scholarships, allowing them to support more athletes. Consequently, it is important to note that most track and field scholarships are not full rides.

Secure college track and field recruitment by impressing coaches with performance

Getting recruited by college track and field coaches requires proactive engagement and a strategic approach. With numerous colleges offering track and field programs, it is crucial for athletes to understand the recruitment process tailored to their specific events.

While track and field recruiting has the advantage of objective performance metrics, it can still be challenging for recruits to match the marks of current college athletes. Coaches must assess a recruit's potential and project their future performance at the collegiate level. Therefore, it is important for high school athletes to compare their times or distances with national or conference results for their target schools. If their performance falls short, considering a wider range of division levels can increase their chances.

Each track and field program has unique needs and coaching philosophies, so it is essential for athletes to identify schools that align with their event specialties. Being proactive in the recruiting process involves targeting the right schools, initiating contact with track and field coaches and fostering relationships with programs that are a good fit.