The Rigors and Rewards of Sports in College Admissions: A Personal Perspective

The cost of living is rising across the board, including college tuition. And students are often under the impression that they must attend a highly prestigious four-year university at all costs, including significant debt for them and their families. At the end of 2024, the average student loan debt balance per borrower was roughly $38,000​. This is about $1,000 higher than the average a year earlier (2023). The United States’ total outstanding student loan debt reached an unprecedented high of about $1.77 trillion (combined federal and private) as of last year. With such financial burdens, it can literally pay to get creative and figure out alternative ways to finance college. This may bring some families to consider athletics as a potential solution. I was a student-athlete for most of my early life and am here to share the pros and cons of pursuing an athletic college scholarship. 

From the Beginning

Starting from the third grade, my life revolved around basketball in a way most children never experience. While my peers played casually in the driveway or participated in a few fun after-school scrimmages, my path quickly led me to organized teams. By eighth grade, I was competing with my school’s varsity team and traveling around the country with a high-level AAU club. I attended camps and workshops when I wasn’t actively playing on a team. Basketball was more than a pastime; it was already a committed, year-round pursuit. That also meant limited vacation or days off and even a restriction on what activities I could do (“It should be a shame if you got hurt water skiing and couldn’t play basketball this summer.”). While I didn’t realize it then, this was an added financial burden to my parents in the short term, which ultimately paid off in the long term. Not all athletes need these resources to be successful, but like academics or other high-intensity pursuits, the system is more likely to yield fruit if your child engages in these disciplined athletic extracurriculars. 

The Rewards

Luckily, all this dedication paid off, ultimately leading me to earn a full-ride college scholarship. And here’s a secret: athletes basically get guaranteed admission. I did have the academic requirements necessary, but most schools will let in athletes who are important to the department and then figure out an academic game plan afterwards. And the full-ride covered nearly every imaginable expense: tuition for both the regular semester and summer school, room and board, meals, textbooks, and even healthcare for up to six years. Also note that this was a few years ago, just before collegiate student-athletes' ability to engage in sponsorships and receive additional living stipends, so the coverage is even more all-encompassing today. This financial support was remarkable, lifting an immense burden from my family and opening significant educational opportunities. I walked away from undergraduate debt-free, giving me a considerable leg up on many of my peers. For athletes able to leverage redshirt years (essentially a year off from playing in games to establish themselves more fully in a competitive college skillset or necessary after transferring schools or getting injured), the first year or two of graduate education can even be paid for. I had a teammate who started attending law school while still playing on the basketball team. While it is important to note that different divisions have different scholarship coverage (Division I NCAA schools can provide full rides, Ivy League schools substitute academic scholarships in for athletic, Division II schools sometimes provide partial or percentage scholarships), any assistance for college can be a game changer, pun intended. Student-athletes can also combine scholarships! For example, I received my full-ride athletic scholarship and a small grant due to my ACT score. And because this amount was then in excess, I actually received a refund and could use that money for other living expenses (like personal beauty or cleaning products for my apartment). So if your student can manage to receive other scholarships or local grants due to stellar performance in additional areas, the more the merrier. 

The BTS

Even with all these advantages, there is a part of this story many don’t see behind the scenes—being a scholarship athlete can be like holding down a full-time job as a child. Rigorous training, early-morning & late-night practices, travel schedules, tournaments, academic obligations, and constant pressure by adults to perform at a high level and help maintain coaching department jobs combine to create a demanding lifestyle. Even off the court, athletes must maintain specific grades, adhere to team rules and public images, and balance an intense calendar of commitments. This continues while attending college, which can sometimes hinder a normal, independent introduction to adult life. And this isn’t all doom and gloom; sometimes, fanatic, dedicated athletes thrive in and enjoy this environment. I knew many athletes who became depressed when they got injured and couldn’t play; they loved the game so much. As someone who took this role on heavily and struggles with anxiety, it was sometimes overwhelming personally to juggle. 

My Conclusion

With all these expectations in mind, families considering the pursuit of an athletic scholarship need to have honest discussions about the level of dedication required. It’s essential to ensure your child genuinely wants to take on the challenges of such an opportunity. For some, the journey can be incredibly rewarding, offering a path to a top-notch education, financial stability in college, and the chance to play a beloved sport at a competitive level with continued networking opportunities available for life. For others, the stress, time commitment, and pressure can overshadow the benefits.

Ultimately, a full-ride athletic scholarship demands more than talent; it requires unwavering discipline, perseverance, and passion. If your child does choose to go down this path, make sure they understand the tremendous benefits and significant sacrifices. The journey can be an extraordinary one—just be prepared for the dedication it asks of you all, every step of the way.