��Vlog: College Athletics Blog

3 Awesome Benefits of Playing Club Sports in College

2026-04-25T15:00:18.258347-04:00

If you were involved in sports throughout high school and decided not to play at the collegiate level, you may be sad that your athletic career is over. Maybe you’re attending (or plan to attend) a college or university that’s a lot bigger than your high school, leaving you to feel like a small fish in a big sea. And if you came from a tight-knit team in high school, starting college without a team by your side may be difficult. But being recruited for a varsity athletic team isn’t required to play your sport in college—enter club sports! Here are all the reasons you should consider playing club sports in college, plus some information on how they’re organized.

How club sports are organized

All club sports play organized tournaments against other colleges and universities in their conference for a regular season. Depending on the sport, there will be a tournament to decide who moves on to regionals, or the first- and second-seed teams in the conference will move on to regionals (this happens with club softball, for example). The highest-seeded teams from all participating colleges will play a tournament against each other; from there, the first- and second-place teams at regionals will move on to the World Series, where colleges and universities from all over the country compete in a three-day-long tournament.

Do some research on the club sports at your college or university to see what they have to offer for intercollegiate competition. Also check out the National Federation of Collegiate Club Sports Leagues to learn more about college club sports as a whole. If you don’t find your preferred sport there, try searching the internet for “National club [insert sport] association” and see what you find.

Top 3 reasons to join club sports in college

Club sports offer the perfect balance between having a normal college experience without the intensity of official athletic team responsibilities. You’re given the opportunity to not only continue your athletic career but also build new friendships with a team (or two!) and develop new skills while playing a sport you love throughout your college years. Not convinced? You will be soon!

1. You’ll make new friends

If you join a club sport, your team will become some of your closest friends. You may be worried that you’ll never find a team that can top the people you grew up playing with—but with club sports, you’ll build a great group of friends all over again. Your days will be filled with post-practice team dinners, road trips, late nights in hotels, and early mornings before games. Plus, living in close proximity to your whole team and bonding over the stress of college classes will make you feel closer to your new team.

2. You can relax while playing the sport you love

The truth about club sports is that they’re much more relaxed than collegiate-level athletics (or even the very high-travel/club level). When you’re in high school, you’re constantly practicing and playing to try to receive a scholarship or make it to state championships, which can feel like a tremendous amount of pressure. But college students play club sports not because they’re going to make a career out of it or because they want to go to the next level—they play for the love of the game. The beauty of club sports is that they’re organized events that give you the ability to play the game you love for four more years and still be competitive while playing.

Intermural sports are also great to get involved with, but there’s a difference between intermural and club sports, mainly in competitiveness. If you’re just looking to play a quick, relaxed game every week, intermural sports are the way to go. However, if you played competitive sports all your life, you may crave a little more than intermural sports can offer.

3. You’ll learn responsibility and leadership skills

Even though club sports are more casual than varsity, they still require an immense amount of responsibility and leadership from team members. Club teams are primarily run by college students, with each team having an executive board that helps run the team. Some teams have volunteer coaches that give their time to weekly practices and tournaments, while other club teams are completely student run and led. That being said, players on club sports teams must have a high amount of respect for their teammates. It can be tricky when your peers are running the team, but when everyone’s on the same page and supportive, there’s no stronger team than that. Most colleges or universities have a club sports office—an extension of campus recreation—that oversees all club sports. Funding for club sports teams can be received through grants from the city, from the sports club office, and from dues paid by the players.

Club sports are a great way to continue playing the sport you love, stay active on campus, and represent your college or university. As a player, you can grow into an executive position to help lead your team to success. Club sports are also the perfect last hurrah for a sport that you held dear to your heart growing up. Find out what your college or university has to offer and get involved!

For more advice on sports and getting involved at your school, check out our College Athletics section.

A Look at the Biggest College Athletic Conferences for Football

2026-04-25T15:00:18.254017-04:00

For many people, fall means football—especially for college students, alumni, and diehard fans. Whether it’s a normal all-star season or a modified schedule due to a global pandemic, the community will show up by any means necessary. But did you know there are six major college athletic conferences that allow you to get your football fix every year? You may be asking how exactly athletic conferences are determined, and just who will be playing? Let’s take a look at some of the most popular regional athletic conferences and what schools make the cut for each one.

The most popular regional athletic conferences

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), the Big Ten, the Big 12, Pac-12, the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and the Ivy League are among the most popular and well-known regional athletic conferences. Minus the Ivy League, these conferences are known as the “Power Five,” the primary partners in the College Football Playoff tournament. There are many other conferences, leagues, and associations across the NCAA, NCCAA, NAIA, and beyond, but we’re focusing on these big six. Additionally, even though we’re focusing on college football, these conferences cover the majority of higher ed sports, including basketball, lacrosse, soccer, volleyball, and more.

How athletic conferences are organized

Colleges in the ACC mostly run all along the East Coast, from Boston College in Massachusetts to the University of Miami in South Florida but have more recently opened up to schools from other regions. The Big Ten is the oldest conference of the six and consists mainly of large land-grant colleges from the upper Midwest. The Big 12 includes colleges in the Great Plains states. Pac-12 used to be made up of colleges from the Pacific Coast and Rocky Mountain region out West, until 2024 when all but two schools left the conference to become members of other conferences. The SEC is made up of large colleges in the states that were formerly a part of the confederacy and is said to be the most competitive conference in the country, as a team from indicated by their many national championship titles. And the Ivy League athletic conference is just as it sounds: it consists of the Ivy League institutions, which are among the most selective colleges and universities in the nation.

Atlantic Coast Conference

The ACC is made up of 18 schools:

Big Ten

Interestingly, the Big Ten, which originally started as a 10-school conference, now consists of 18 schools:

Big 12

Following suit with more schools than the name implies, the Big 12 consists of 16 schools:

Pac-12

The last remaining schools in the Pac-12 are:

Southeastern Conference

The SEC is made up of 16 schools:

Ivy League

Finally, the Ivy League consists of the eight prestigious Ivies:

Consequences of the pandemic and the world of higher ed

In light of the pandemic and the proceeding state of the US economy, the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC have had some major shake-ups in the way they not only conduct their sports seasons but also the conference memberships themselves. Many conferences have seen an uptick in school membership in the past few years—clearly at the expense of the Pac-12, which has lost all but two of its college members. And these changes are ramping up the competition for college athletes and teams in most sports. According to CBS Sports, athletes and programs are facing new obstacles like travel schedules accounting for multiple time zones and the obvious decreased likelihood of reaching conference finals with increased competition. College sports, particularly football and basketball, will be bigger than ever in the coming years with these major conference realignments.

The importance of college sports

Sports are a big part of US higher education culture, and colleges are working hard to get their athletic programs where they feel they need to be competitively. Football, in general, is a big part of our country’s culture, as it expresses our national identity and is in line with many of our values: working hard, getting back up when knocked down, and overcoming adversity. It’s what we do through national tragedies, it’s what we did during the pandemic, and it’s what we and colleges will continue to do in this new landscape of higher education.

Find the perfect college for you based on your athletic goals using our College Search tool.

A Look at Where Pro Football Players Went to College

2026-04-25T15:00:18.249765-04:00

While we may view our favorite pro athletes as gifted and talented, many of them went to college just like millions of other civilians. Whether they started at community college like Philadelphia Eagle’s cornerback Darius Slay Jr. or attended a top-notch university on a full-ride scholarship like Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool, these phenomenal athletes didn’t just put in the work at the gym and on the field—they started by putting school first. Here’s a look at five amazing athletes’ careers and their alma maters.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts: The University of Alabama and the University of Oklahoma

Drafted as the53^rd pick in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft, Jalen Hurts had every Sooners fan on their feet during the 2019 season playing for the University of Oklahoma. But he started off his football career majoring in Communication at the University of Alabama from 2016–2018 before transferring to Oklahoma in 2019. Hurts was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles and signed a $6 million, four-year contract. As of right now, he’s the new starting quarterback for the Eagles, replacing Carson Wentz, who played four seasons on a $128 million contract.

Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb: The University of Oklahoma

You’ve probably heard of CeeDee Lamb, arguably the top steal of the 2020 wide receiver’s class. Lamb was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys as the 17^th overall pick of the season. He majored in Communication and played football all four years of college at the University of Oklahoma—including one season with Jalen Hurts. Lamb proved to have the greatest hands, especially for a rookie, with 74 catches for 934 yards. As of today, he’s one of the Cowboys’ lead receivers and has a four-year, $14 million contract.

Linebacker TJ Watt: The University of Wisconsin

The last name Watt might seem very familiar—TJ Watt is the younger brother of JJ and Derek Watt. TJ has quickly made a name for himself in the NFL, being voted to represent the American Football Conference (AFC) in the Pro Bowl for three seasons in a row as well as being named the AFC Defensive Player of the Year in 2020. He played football for the University of Wisconsin and majored in Retailing & Consumer Behavior. For the 2020 season, TJ had the most sacks with 15, as well as 43 tackles, two forced fumbles, and one interception. He was drafted in 2017 and had a four-year, $9 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, one of the NFL’s greatest defense teams.

Wide receiver Stefon Diggs: The University of Maryland

Stefon Diggs played football for three seasons at the University of Maryland from 2012–2014 while majoring in American Studies. He entered the 2015 NFL draft and was picked up by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round as the 146^th pick, though he now plays for the Buffalo Bills. Diggs has made the playoffs, lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the conference championships, and averages $15.9 million per year. According to ESPN, he can run 23 miles per hour.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger: Miami University

As a Steelers fan, I personally consider Ben Roesthlisberger—Big Ben—to be one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, along with Drew Brees. He graduated from Miami University with a bachelor’s degree in Education. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers as the 11^th overall pick and is currently the last actively playing quarterback of the 2004 Miami U class. Roethlisberger has won two Super Bowls in his career: Super Bowl XL (2006) and XLII (2009). In the 2020 season, he had a winning streak of 11–0 before it was broken by the Washington Football Team. Roethlisberger’s seasonal rates for the 2020–2021 season include 3,803 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.

Every pro athlete has their own story. Each of these stars started playing college football and worked hard by training any chance they got. But they made it big by choosing to do more than just throw all their effort into sports; they chose the school where they felt the most comfortable, one they felt would bring out the best in them every time they stepped onto the field. You can follow in the footsteps of these great athletes by choosing the college or university with the best academics, sports, and health benefits for you—a school that makes you feel at home.

Want to read more about football? We have a ton of great blogs, articles, and lists about sports in our College Athletics section!

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Important Tips for Student-Athletes With Learning Disabilities

2026-04-25T15:00:18.246167-04:00

Student-athletes come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. We know this because we see it every time we go to a school sporting event. But what we don’t see, and often don’t know, is that student-athletes also come in all abilities. Many athletes live with what are referred to as invisible or hidden disabilities. These are disabilities that aren’t easily identifiable at first glance, such as autism, deafness, ADHD, and chronic conditions. Compared to Down syndrome, for example, there is no particular “look” to invisible disabilities, and as such, they are harder to identify.

People with invisible disabilities can and do compete in athletic events designed for able-bodied and able-minded people. But accommodations and support are available, and student-athletes shouldn’t feel hindered because of a disability, whether it’s hidden or not. Here’s what students with learning differences should know about playing sports in college and beyond.

Playing your sport in college

In elementary, middle, and high school, intellectually disabled students (usually in special education) are given the opportunity to participate in Special Olympics, an event with an array of sports made accessible to disabled people. There may also be special programs offered by schools to encourage involvement and integration with typical students in general education. However, opportunities like these seem to decrease when these athletes enter college. In college, athletes with disabilities are mostly involved with school-sponsored sports, whether at the varsity, club, or intramural level. The actual number of athletes with disabilities participating in sports is hard to track as disabled athletes often don't self-report their disability due to fear of stigma, and because many athletes with disabilities have not yet been diagnosed. But trust there are far more students like you than you think.

Accommodations for student-athletes with disabilities

There are a variety of laws requiring colleges to give necessary and appropriate accommodations to students with disabilities. The most all-encompassing of those laws is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Passed in 1990, the ADA is a civil rights law that prevents discrimination based on disability. A section of the ADA says that “school, university, and community sports programs all must comply with ADA provisions,” meaning student-athletes with disabilities do have the opportunity to participate in college-level athletics, from recreational to varsity level. For serious student-athletes, the NCAA provides championship opportunities to students with “educating-impacting” disabilities as well as reasonable modifications and accommodations of playing rules that don’t provide unfair advantages in competition.

Finding your best-fit school

There are many colleges that provide opportunities for student-athletes with disabilities and learning differences to compete in their sport of choice at every level. You can start your college search with these lists of schools for Students With Learning and Physical Challenges. Be sure to inquire about any extracurricular opportunities that are specific to and inclusive of disabled athletes at your prospective schools, such as club teams, student groups like the Special Olympics College Club Program, or other athletic events and competitions.

Opportunities beyond campus

To take your play even further, the International Paralympic Games provide physically and mentally disabled athletes the opportunity to showcase their talent to the world. The Paralympics occur every four years alongside the Olympics and, much like their counterpart for people without disabilities, are only available to disabled athletes at the top of their game. One other limit to competing in the Paralympics is age; while requirements differ by country, the minimum age requirement in America is 13. You can check the age requirement for your country on the official Olympics website.

If you’re a student-athlete with a disability, don’t be afraid to pursue your athletic passions in college. Many schools support student-athletes with learning disabilities and physical challenges, as well as accommodations that put everyone on a level playing field. The key is finding a school that will nurture your differences and help you be the best student and athlete you can be. Good luck, and may the best athlete win!

Looking for the perfect school to play your sport that offers the support you need? Check out these College Search and Scholarship Resources for Students With Learning Disabilities.

Tokyo Olympics: Where US Olympians Went to College

2026-04-25T15:00:18.242137-04:00

Today marks the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Tokyo. After being postponed last summer due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Games will be very different this year: there will be no international fans traveling to Tokyo, so everyone will have to settle for watching at home. Team USA will have many people watching from afar since there are so many US Olympians who have fans following them passionately. While you may know about their athletic achievements, each athlete’s educational background is probably less well known. Here are six Olympians to watch at the Tokyo Games this summer and where they went to college.

Carissa Moore, women’s surfing

At age 28, Carissa Moore is a four-time World Surfing League Women’s Champion (2011, 2013, 2015, and 2019). A native of Honolulu, Hawaii, she began surfing when her father taught her at age five. Like most professional surfers, Moore didn’t go to college, but she did attend Punahou School, a private K–12 school whose other famous alumni include former President Barack Obama. Moore is eager to practice her four years of high school Japanese at the Tokyo Olympics.

Katie Ledecky, women’s swimming

Katie Ledecky began swimming at age six after being influenced by her brother and mother, who swam for the University of New Mexico. Now she has five Olympic gold medals (so far!) and 15 world championship gold medals, along with records in several women’s freestyle events. She was also chosen as one of the sponsors of the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Enterprise—she and Simone Biles were the first Olympians to be given this honor. At age 20 and after two Olympic games, Ledecky accepted a scholarship to Stanford University and joined coach Greg Meehan’s Cardinals women’s swimming team. Ledecky graduated from Stanford in June 2021 with a bachelor’s in Psychology and a minor in Political Science, standing in cap and gown poolside in Omaha, Nebraska, during this year’s Olympic Trials.

David Boudia, men’s diving

Deciding at age seven that he wanted to compete in the Olympics, David Boudia is now a four-time Olympian who’s considered among the best in the world. Competing in the individual and synchronized 10-meter diving events, Boudia has won four Olympic medals (gold and bronze in 2012 and silver and bronze in 2016) as well as several national titles and championships. A six-time NCAA national champion in college, he studied Communications at Purdue University and graduated in 2013.

Caeleb Dressel, men’s swimming

Referred to as “the heir to Michael Phelps” and “the next American Aquaman” by Sports Illustrated, 24-year-old Caeleb Dressel is on everyone’s radar this summer. Dressel competed at the 2016 Olympics in Rio as a college student and took home two gold medals for the freestyle and medley events. He broke Phelps’s record in the 100-meter butterfly at the 2019 world championships in Gwangju, South Korea, and he’s expected to swim in around seven events in Tokyo, with high medal possibilities in each one. Dressel was a member of the Gator Swim Club at the University of Florida, where he was named 2016 NCAA Co-Swimmer of the Year and graduated in 2018.

Nevin Harrison, women’s canoe

In 2019 at age 17, Nevin Harrison became the first American woman to win a world title in a sprint canoe or sprint kayak event. Before the pandemic, she knew what her future was going to look like: winning an Olympic gold medal (this year marks the debut of women’s canoe at the Summer Games) and starting college in fall 2020 at the University of California, Berkeley. However, because the Tokyo Olympics got pushed a year, Harrison decided to hold off on going to college. She still sees herself starting as a freshman this fall after the Games but admits that while that’s her current plan, “the world sometimes has other plans.”

Simone Biles, women’s gymnastics

Known as one of the best gymnasts of all time and one of the most decorated, Simone Biles is a legend who’s revolutionized the world of artistic gymnastics. Prior to the 2016 Games in Rio, Biles had committed to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). However, her gymnastics career and demanding schedule made attending a traditional college impossible. Now she attends the University of the People (UoPeople), a fully accredited online university that’s tuition-free. This gives her the flexibility she needs to work her college coursework into her crazy-busy schedule. Biles is also a UoPeople Global Ambassador and created the Simone Biles Legacy Scholarship Fund to help students cover course assessment fees, with priority given to those who were in foster care.

Each Olympic athlete commits hours and hours of blood, sweat, and tears to practice and perfect their sport. They all have their own stories and make sacrifices in order to become the best in the world. As a result, their educational paths may not be as traditional depending on their sport, where they are in their career, and how college fits into their lives. What’s important to remember is that for each of these Olympians, their educational journey is uniquely their own and the best path for them—a great lesson for students and athletes at any level. Enjoy the Games!

Did you know you could search for colleges by sport on ��Vlog? Check out all our Lists & Rankings based on Athletics.

Gold-Medal Colleges for Summer Olympic Sports

2026-04-25T15:00:18.238250-04:00

The amazing athletic feats of the Olympics are certainly inspiring every year they roll around. Maybe they’ve even inspired you in your college search! To help you explore colleges in a new way, we’ve collected some of our best college Lists & Rankings categorized by Summer Olympic sports. Learn more about each Olympic event and see which schools have the best clubs and teams according to our experts. Ready, set, go!

Archery

Archery debuted as an Olympic sport at Paris 1900 but was modernized and reintroduced at Munich 1972. Events include men's and women's individual, men's and women's team, and a mixed team event that’s new for 2020. Many colleges offer USA Archery Collegiate Archery Programs, from varsity teams with scholarship opportunities to clubs like the ones below.

Colleges With Great Archery Clubs

Athletics (track & field)

Athletics was one of the events that appeared in the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. It involves a program of track, field, and road events, but luckily Olympians no longer race in armor. Check out all these great college track & field programs across divisions.

Badminton

Badminton debuted at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. Many senior badminton players retired after the 2016 Rio Games, so you’ll see many young players in Tokyo this year. If you share their passion, check out the following colleges and universities.

Baseball/softball

Baseball became a medal sport at Barcelona 1992 after years of being a demonstration sport (a sport that’s played at the Olympics just to promote it and not for competition). Both baseball and softball were removed after Beijing 2008 but were added to Tokyo 2020 because of the popularity of the sports in Japan. Check out schools with great baseball and softball teams across divisions with the lists below.

Basketball

Basketball made its Olympic debut at Berlin 1936, and a new 3x3 basketball event was created for Tokyo 2020 in association with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). Check out these colleges and universities if you want to play ball in college or just to cheer on your team in the student section.

Cycling

Cycling has been a part of the Olympics since Athens 1896. This year’s 22 cycling events consist of BMX freestyle, BMX racing, mountain bike, road cycling, and track cycling. Though cycling isn’t an official NCAA or NAIA sport, many colleges offer great varsity teams and student clubs, including the following.

Colleges With Strength in Cycling

Equestrian

Equestrian was featured in Paris 1900 but became an official Olympic sport in Stockholm 1912. Both men and women compete against each other in disciplines that include Dressage, Eventing, and Jumping. According to Olympics.com, equestrian athletes aren’t the only ones that need passports to compete in host countries—the horses need them as well!

Colleges With Strength in Men's and Women's Equestrian Sports

Fencing

Fencing was introduced at Athens 1896 and has been included at every Games since. Three team and individual events for men and women include foil, épée, and sabre. Get your en garde on at these colleges with great fencing programs.

Football

Men’s football (aka American soccer) debuted at the Paris Olympic Games in 1990, with women’s added at Atlanta 1996. While there’s no age limit for women’s teams, the maximum age for men to compete was 23 from 1992 to 1996, after which it was ruled that teams could also include three older players. Here are some great places to play soccer before you get too old to compete at the Olympic level!

Golf

Golf debuted at the Paris Games in 1900. It also appeared at St. Louis 1904 but then disappeared from the Olympics until Rio 2016. The US is considered the world’s leading nation for the number of golf players, and the following schools are great places to compete at the collegiate level.

Gymnastics

Artistic gymnastics made its Olympic debut at Athens 1896. Rhythmic gymnastics came along a little later during the Los Angeles Games in 1984, then trampoline gymnastics at Sydney 2000. You’ll find strong teams for both men and women at the following schools.

Handball

Handball—a combination of basketball and soccer—debuted for men at Munich 1972, with the first women’s competition following at Montreal 1976. It’s appeared at every Summer Olympics since and is played on the largest indoor court of any ball sport at the Games. You can find great programs for this intense team sport at the following schools.

Colleges With Strength in Handball

Hockey

Hockey debuted at the 1908 Games in London. It was played on grass fields until the 1970s and is now played on artificial turf that’s “watered to allow the ball to pass over the surface smoother and faster.” Find championship field hockey teams to join in college with the following lists.

Judo

Judo debuted as a men’s sport at Tokyo 1964, with women’s added during Barcelona 1992. It was one of the most highly anticipated events for the Tokyo 2020 Games since the sport originated in Japan in the late 19^th century. The National Collegiate Judo Association oversees college championships, which the following schools compete in.

Colleges With Judo Clubs

Rowing

Men’s rowing was introduced at the 1900 Games in Paris, with women’s events added at Montreal 1976. The first rowing event was supposed to debut at Athens 1896 but was canceled due to poor weather conditions. If you’re looking to join the only sport that crosses the finish line backward, check out the following schools.

Rugby

Rugby was first played at the Paris Games in 1900. After being cut from the program after Paris 1924, it made a grand return at Rio 2016, including the first women’s competition. Find schools with great rugby teams for both men and women on the lists below.

Sailing

Sailing debuted at Paris 1900 and has made an appearance in every Games since, except for St. Louis 1904. It was originally called “yachting” but changed to “sailing” at Sydney 2000. Brave the windy weather by joining one of the teams on this list.

Colleges With Strength in Sailing

Shooting

Shooting made its debut at Athens 1896, with women’s events added at Los Angeles 1984. The three disciplines include rifle and pistol shooting at stationary targets and shotgun with moving targets. You’ll find programs for riflery plus skeet and trap shooting at the following schools.

Sport climbing

Sport climbing made its debut at Tokyo 2020 with a combined men’s and women’s program. The sport feature three disciplines: Speed, Bouldering, and Lead, in which climbers go as high as they can on a wall in six minutes. The following schools have all participated in the USA Climbing Collegiate series.

Colleges With Strength in Climbing

Surfing

Surfing is another sport that debuted at Tokyo 2020, with surfers competing on Japan’s Pacific coast. It was approved by the Olympic Committee in 2016 in an effort “to bring more youthful and vibrant events and culture into the Olympic program.” You’ll find killer surfing teams at the following oceanside schools.

Colleges With Strong Surfing Teams

Swimming & diving

Swimming, artistic swimming, marathon swimming, and diving are some of the most exciting and arduous events of the Olympic Games. A couple fun facts: A pool was first introduced at the London Games in 1908, and this year’s US swim team features 11 teenagers, the most since 1996. Jump in the pool at these schools that will prepare you for Olympic-level competition.

Tennis

Tennis first appeared at Athens 1896 but was cut after Paris 1924. It returned at Seoul 1988 and has since featured some of the world’s top players, including Rafael Nadal and Venus and Serena Williams. You’ll find all-star tennis teams at the following colleges and universities.

Volleyball

Volleyball for both men and women debuted at the 1964 Tokyo Games, while beach volleyball debuted as a demonstration sport at Barcelona 1992 and became official for Atlanta 1996. Indoor volleyball involves six players on each side of the court, while the beach volleyball court is much more open with only two players on each team. Crush your sets and perfect your spike at the following schools.

Water polo

Water polo debuted for men at Paris 1900, but it took 100 years for women to play for the first time at Sydney 2000. It’s the oldest Olympic team sport and involves a lot of physical contact, with many fouls happening under the water out of the referee’s view. Watch out for dirty shots if you join a team at the following schools.

Weightlifting

Weightlifting was one of the original sports included at Athens 1896, with women’s competition added over a century later at Sydney 2000. Techniques have evolved a lot since the first few Games, in which lifters competed in the same events regardless of bodyweight. The schools on the following list are great places to pick things up and put them down.

Colleges With Weightlifting Programs

Wrestling

Wrestling may be the world’s oldest sport, appearing at the ancient Olympic Games in 708 BC and debuting at the first modern games in Athens in 1896. Women’s freestyle events were finally added to the 2004 Games in Athens, but only men can compete in the original Greco-Roman style. You’ll find extra-strong teams at the schools on the following lists.

There you have it! If you want to become the next Caeleb Dressel (University of Florida ’18) or A’ja Wilson (University of South Carolina ’18)—or if you just want to be a spectator in the student cheering section—be sure to add some of these schools to your own college list. Go Team USA!

Didn’t see your favorite sport listed here? Browse even more Lists & Rankings categorized by athletics.

College Sports: Which Level of Play Is the Right Choice for You?

2026-04-25T15:00:18.233426-04:00

Sports can be a huge part of many students' college experiences. Whether it’s playing under the lights or cheering on the home team, almost every student will interact with sports and athletics at some point in their college career. How do you know how much of a role sports should play in your college experience and in your college search? Let’s explore the different levels of athletics you can participate in to help you make a decision.

Varsity sports

Varsity sports are the highest level of athletics a college can offer. There are five different divisions of varsity sports:

NCAA Division I
NCAA Division II
NCAA Division III
NAIA
Junior College

NCAA Division I is considered the most competitive and includes big state schools like the University of Southern California and Pennsylvania State University. Many varsity athletes get recruited to these schools, meaning they’ve spoken with a coach and have a confirmed spot on a team. They may have a scholarship, or they could also be a walk on. Recruiting can happen at any point during high school and after graduation. In some extreme cases, recruiting may start in middle school. The recruiting process, as many athletes who went through it would confirm, is a challenging one. There are hours of putting together highlight reels, sending emails, meeting with coaches, attending showcases, and more.

The biggest commitment

Varsity sports are a full-time commitment before you even step foot on campus. But once you get there, the real work starts. College athletes must not only act as normal students by completing homework, taking tests, and going to office hours but also participate in lifts, workouts, and practices. They usually have little-to-no free time, especially at Division I and II. Varsity athletes in all divisions have to sacrifice part of the “normal” college experience to excel on and off the field by keeping their grades up, per eligibility rules. Varsity sports often give you an advantage at getting accepted into the school you were recruited for. If you feel you have the drive and commitment to play a varsity sport, there are opportunities out there; you just have to work hard to seek them out.

Club sports

You’ve likely heard of college clubs and organizations, like Key Club or Eco Club—but many colleges also offer club sports. These opportunities are for students who love their sport but want to play less seriously than varsity level. Club sports are the level between intramural sports and varsity sports. The clubs are entirely student run, meaning students find the venues, officials, gear, etc., but still get the competitive benefit of playing against club sports teams from different colleges and universities that are in the area.

Intramural sports

Of the three levels of athletics, intramural sports are the most low-key. Students use intramural sports for leisure, a chance to hang out with friends, or just a great way to get exercise without going to the gym. Intramural sports are most often sponsored by the college or university, meaning the school covers a lot of the expenses. Intramural sports teams play against other teams from within the school. Big schools often offer many different skill levels of a single intramural sport, so everyone from beginner to advanced students can play. That way everyone can enjoy themselves!

There are distinct differences between the three levels of athletics students can choose to pursue in college. Varsity sports require the most commitment, even before you set foot on campus. If you love sports, there are always opportunities for you to play, even if it isn’t at the varsity level. Everyone has a unique sports experience, and you must ask yourself how much of the traditional college experience you’re willing to sacrifice for the sport you love.

Learn more about what it’s like to play sports in college in our College Athletics section.

Gold-Medal Colleges for Winter Olympic Sports

2026-04-25T15:00:18.229747-04:00

February 4 marked the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, and it had been 14 long years since the Summer Games were held in the same city. It may surprise you that many winter sports were featured during the Summer before the first official Winter Olympics debuted in Chamonix, France, in 1924. If you can’t get enough of cold weather sports any time of year, you’re in the right place. Below you’ll find a history of some of your favorite Winter Olympic events, plus lists of colleges that excel in those sports. Let the games begin!

Biathlon

Biathlon debuted at the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, California. It combines two sports—cross-country skiing and shooting—with athletes skiing on a trail and shooting rounds dividing the distance. Events are treated as races and include Sprint, Individual, Pursuit, Mass Start, and Relay. Missed shots add more distance or time to each athlete’s total, with medals being awarded to five men, five women, and one mixed team. Interested in these two sports? Check out the lists below (and discover more great places for skiing later in the blog!).

Figure skating

Figure skating is the oldest sport of the Winter Olympics, first appearing during the Summer Games in London 1908 and Antwerp 1920. Men’s, women’s, and pairs were the only events until 1976, when ice dancing was added in Innsbruck, Austria. The program further evolved when a mixed-team event debuted at Sochi 2014. Figure skating is a fan favorite and one of the most popular sports of the Winter Games. If you agree, check out this list of colleges where figure skaters can thrive.

Colleges With Strength in Figure Skating

Ice hockey

Ice hockey debuted in Antwerp 1920 but was moved to the Winter program at Chamonix in 1924—the first official year of the Winter Olympic Games as we know it. Two events include the men’s tournament and women’s tournament, with 12 men’s teams and 10 women’s competing in the series. At the Beijing 2022 Games, hockey was played at the Wukesong Sports Centre, which was built as a basketball arena for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games and can be converted to a hockey rink in less than six hours. If you love to play or watch this exciting sport, consider the colleges and hockey programs on the following lists.

Skiing

There are many opportunities to watch different styles of skiing during the Winter Games. Alpine competition features 11 events for men and women, including Downhill, Super-G, Slalom, Giant Slalom, and Alpine Combined, plus a mixed-team event. Cross-country events include Classic, Skiathlon, Mass Start Free, Team Sprint Classic, and Relays for both men and women. Freestyle has added many events over the years, such as Ski Cross, Halfpipe, and Slopestyle, plus Big Air and Mixed-Team Freestyle Skiing Aerials debuting in Beijing 2022. Nordic combined is a pairing of ski-jumping and cross-country skiing that has been a part of the Winter Olympics since its debut in 1924, though it’s exclusively for males and includes no events for women. Finally, ski jumping has also been a staple of the Winter Games since 1924 and features three men’s events, one women’s event, and a mixed-team event—which is new as of 2022! If any of these skiing styles excites you, check out the colleges and towns that love the sport just as much as you with the following rankings.

Snowboarding

Snowboarding is relatively new to the Winter Olympics, having debuted in Nagano, Japan, in 1998. Men and women compete in 11 events, including Parallel Giant Slalom, Snowboard Cross, Halfpipe, Slopestyle, Big Air, and a Mixed-Team Snowboard Cross. Some events are judged by a panel evaluating trick difficulty, run execution, and jump landings and techniques, while others are races in which the first one over the finish line wins. Although Shaun White didn’t go to college, he would’ve had a lot of fun at the schools on the following list.

Colleges With Strength in Snowboarding

We may not have college lists for every Winter Olympics sport—sorry bobsleigh, curling, luge, skeleton, and speed skating fans—but you never know which school may offer these unique activities as teams, clubs, or other student groups. Use our College Search tool and featured college profiles to do more research and discover schools (or sports) you may have never even heard of before. Good luck and go Team USA!

More of a warm weather person? Check out our other article about Gold–Medal Colleges for Summer Olympic Sports.

3 Valuable Time Management Strategies for Student-Athletes

2026-04-25T15:00:18.225980-04:00

The life of a student-athlete can be gratifying, but it can also bring a lot of stress and difficulty. Student-athletes must balance sports, deadlines at school, time with family and friends, and space for their own mental health. This can be very draining but can also help push you to the next level. Time management for student-athletes doesn’t have to be exceedingly difficult, especially if you incorporate a few techniques and tricks to make your time spent trying to balance much more achievable. Let’s talk about some strategies that have demonstrated proven success.

1. Communicate well

As a student-athlete, the single-most critical aspect of success in time management is communication. It can be as simple as emailing a teacher that you won’t be present in class on a specific day because of a tournament and asking what the best way to make up the material is. Good communication will show them your dedication to success, and you’ll both be able to come to an agreement on which next steps to take. Communication can be over text, email, a phone call, or even in person. You just want to make sure you clearly convey what you may be missing, what you need help on, etc.

Communication can be daunting and a difficult skill to master. I found it best to start simple by building relationships with teachers and coaches early on and demonstrating to them your hard work and dedication while also being clear with what other aspects are present in your life. Building these connections early will help you down the road; you’ll often find that teachers, coaches, or whomever you’re attempting to connect with tend to be very accepting and understanding. Also, over-communicating is better than not communicating enough, as this will help you all be on the same page and become clear with everyone’s expectations.

2. Use your resources

In this day and age, we have access to so many different resources that benefit our time management. Some highly useful tools include planners, which come in both digital and hand-held formats. Keeping a planner can help you see your whole schedule and keep track of what practices, games, and events you may have and what other activities you have to complete. They often include space for to-do lists, but if not, those are also highly favorable to write down. They’ll help you remember all the little tasks you have and see what you must do, which can calm an overwhelmed mind.

Google Calendar and other virtual tools are valuable for student-athletes as well. You can share them with your family and friends, and you almost always have your phone on you, so it’s nice to see what events you have coming up. Google Calendar can also send alerts about events, which are good reminders that can keep you from overbooking your life or planning too much at the same time. Another helpful resource are apps that prevent you from looking at your phone. Time is precious as a student-athlete, and there are oftentimes when you need to put your phone away to focus solely on school or your sport. There are tons of apps available to help you focus, including white noise apps and Forest, an app that grows virtual trees depending on how long you stay off your phone. These tools reward you and give you a sense of accomplishment for your focus.

3. Take time for yourself

As a student-athlete, you don’t often focus on spending quality time with yourself. You always have a ton going on, and it can become overwhelming. Balance is highly important, and within this balance, you should include time for yourself. You’ll become more productive with the time given to you if you allow yourself to have breaks occasionally, such as going for a walk or grabbing lunch with a friend. These are productive uses of your valuable time, and in the long run, they’ll help you feel more balanced and fulfilled. Give yourself space to enjoy the aspects of life you love outside of your sport and school.

Life as a student-athlete is tough. It will push and drag you down if you don’t manage your time effectively. Utilizing resources as well as clearly engaging in communication and dedicating time for yourself are just three techniques that can help you become a better manager of your life. Time seems to run quickly and uncontrollably, but you have the power to manage it more productively with these techniques.

Find other helpful tips and tricks for student-athletes of all levels in our College Athletics section.

Paris Olympics: Where Members of Team USA Went to College

2026-04-25T15:00:18.221687-04:00

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are captivating audiences around the world as athletes from various nations gather to showcase their extraordinary talents. Team USA boasts an impressive roster of Olympians, each with unique backgrounds and inspiring educational journeys. In fact, 75% of this year's US Olympians have competed at the collegiate level, with 65% being current, former, or incoming NCAA athletes spanning all three divisions. Let's meet five incredible Olympians competing in Paris and see where they pursued their education!

Stephen Nedoroscik, men's gymnastics

A standout in men's gymnastics, Stephen Nedoroscik is competing in his first Olympics in Paris, bringing a fresh wave of excitement to the pommel horse event. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Nedoroscik’s gymnastics journey began when he was about four years old. He excelled at the pommel horse, which later became his specialty. His dedication and skill led him to Pennsylvania State University, where he studied Electrical Engineering and became a two-time NCAA champion on the pommel horse, solidifying his reputation as one of the best in the discipline. His collegiate career was marked by consistent performances and numerous accolades, including four All-American titles. Balancing the rigors of a demanding academic program with elite gymnastics, Nedoroscik graduated in 2020. He became a hero in Paris, with his sole performance helping win the bronze in the men's team all-around final—the first medal the US team has won for the all-around in 16 years. Now known as the "Clark Kent of the pommel horse" and a viral fan favorite, Nedoroscik is not only a gymnastics marvel but can also impressively solve a Rubik's Cube in under 10 seconds!

Sunisa Lee, women's gymnastics

Suni Lee, the 2020 all-around champion, made a triumphant return to the Olympics after taking time off from elite gymnastics to compete in college and dealing with various health issues. Hailing from Saint Paul, Minnesota, Lee started tumbling at age six and has been a force to reckon with ever since. Despite her demanding gymnastics career, she committed to Auburn University in 2021, where she balanced collegiate gymnastics with her studies. She majored in Business Marketing and was a member of the Auburn Tigers gymnastics team, receiving many perfect 10s and winning first place on the balance beam during the 2022 NCAA championships. After having the “most decorated year in Auburn program history,” Lee ended her collegiate career early due to health reasons, leaving the University in 2023. After battling two different kidney diseases, she decided to focus on training for the 2024 Olympic Games, where she keeps collecting medals in individual and team events. But her time in college "will always be a part of me and my journey," she said in an Instagram post. "And I will always be an Auburn Tiger.”

Kate Douglass, women’s swimming

Kate Douglass has made waves in the swimming world with her impressive Olympics and world championship performances. Hailing from Pelham, New York, she began swimming competitively at age seven and quickly rose through the ranks. She attended the University of Virginia, where she majored in Statistics and was a key member of the Cavaliers' swimming and diving team. Douglass's undergraduate career was nothing short of spectacular; she won 15 NCAA titles and two Honda Sport Awards for best female college swimmer while setting numerous American and collegiate records. She is now pursuing her master's in Statistics at UVA and still training with coach Todd Desorbo. She even contributed to an article called "Swimming in Data" for The Mathematical Intelligencer as a graduate student. Known for her versatility, she excels in various events, including the 200-meter breaststroke and individual medley. Douglass has continued to build on her remarkable college career in Paris, winning a gold medal in the 200-meter breaststroke and helping the US women's team secure silver in the 4x100 freestyle relay.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, women's track & field

As the 400-meter hurdle world record holder and winner of two gold medals in Tokyo, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is another member of Team USA to keep an eye on. Born in Dunellen, New Jersey, McLaughlin-Levrone was Union Catholic Regional High School’s first two-time Gatorade Player of the Year for track & field. After breaking records in high school—including finishing third in the 2016 Olympic Trials and making the semifinals in Rio—she attended the University of Kentucky, where she won three SEC titles as well as a 400-meter hurdle national title during the 2017–2018 season. She set multiple NCAA records as a student-athlete and was a five-time All-American before leaving college to turn professional. Sprinting seems to run in Sydney’s family; her brother, Taylor McLaughlin, also ran track at the University of Michigan and won silver at the World Athletics U20 Championships in 2016.

Erriyon Knighton, men's track & field

A sprinting sensation from Tampa, Florida, Erriyon Knighton turned heads when he broke Usain Bolt’s junior world record in the 200 meter multiple times to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He began his track & field career as a freshman at Hillsborough High School, where he was also a wide receiver on the football team. Knighton bypassed the traditional college route to focus on his professional career, signing a sponsorship deal with Adidas at age 16. In 2021, he became the youngest man to represent US track & field at the Olympic Games since 1964. He trains with track & field coach Mike Holloway at the University of Florida and has expressed interest in pursuing higher education in the future, including going to community college and studying Science.

These Olympians exemplify the dedication and perseverance required to excel at the highest level of sport. Their educational paths are as varied as their athletic achievements, proving there are multiple ways to balance academic and athletic aspirations. As we cheer them on in Paris, we can appreciate their incredible journeys in both sports and education.

Can’t get enough of the Summer Olympics? Learn how to turn your love of the Games into a passion project that will impress college admission officers!

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