Good High School grades may double your
chances of playing sports in College:
http://www.scholarshipstats.com/varsityodds.htmlTake a look at these stats from the U.S. Department of Education:
% of High School graduates enrolling at:
4 Year Colleges 42%
2 Year Colleges 24%
Total 66%
About 1/3 of the 2 year college attendees transfer to 4 year colleges within two years, so the result is that about 50% of high school graduates enroll at a 4 year college by the time they are 20 years old - and half do not.
What does this mean for the prospective college athlete? Well if you can get into a 4 year school, your odds may be effectively doubled for making a college team. Let's use Baseball as an example:
50% of High School
All High School Players who go on
Baseball Odds - 2015 Baseball Players to a 4 Year College
High School Players 486,567 243,284
4 Year College Players 43,189 43,189
% playing in college 9% 18%
There are many reasons high school graduates do not go on to 4 year colleges and unfortunately financial remains the biggest obstacle for many families. But academics is another significant factor, and if you're an aspiring college athlete this is an area you have control over.
Even if you are a highly recruited athlete you have to gain admission to the school first - a coach can't get you a roster spot on the team unless you can meet the school's academic standards.
Here are some other reasons why good grades can be a big boost to your odds of playing collegiate sports:
• Good grades in High School is the best predictor of getting good grades in College, and college coaches want to avoid recruiting athletes who end up being ineligible to play or wash out for academic purposes.
• Good grades in high school is a good indicator that the athlete has developed the time management skills that will be essential in college where both the academic and athletic workloads are more challenging then most high schools.
• Good grades in high school is an indicator that the athlete works hard and applies him or herself. Don't underestimate this factor - the perception that an athlete is "lazy" will immediately kill their chances with many if not most college coaches.
• College coaches want their players to succeed in school and graduate, and it's part of the effectiveness factor of many coaches ratings.
• Excellent grades might qualify the athlete for an academic scholarship and free up athletic based awards for other players - coaches really love this situation.
• Good grades are an indicator of smarts, and coaches want smart players on their teams!
The importance of getting good grades starts early in high school. Too many talented high school athletes neglect their grades during their freshmen & sophomore years and try to catch up in their junior and senior years. Unfortunately it's often too much ground lost early to make up.
Most college coaches are confident they can develop a high school athlete into a good college player. But they are also keenly aware they have little control off the field, and cannot force an athlete to hit the books and study. The High School athlete who is academically self motivated will move up the recruiting ladder.
Recruiting is a very intensive process and coaches have a limited amount of time and resources. Bottom line is coaches will only recruit those athletes they feel confident will be able to make a successful academic transition from High School to College. Enhance your recruiting profile - get the grades!
