Pathway to Opportunity

Want to Play College Sports?

Opportunity

It’s what everyone wants – and what college sports provide.

More than 1,100 member schools are united around one goal: creating opportunities for college athletes.

Academics

Providing opportunities to earn a college degree is at the heart of our mission. Student-athlete graduation rates are the highest ever, with 80 percent earning their degrees.

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Well-Being

We were founded to keep college sports safe. Today, we work hard to promote safety, excellence, and physical and mental well-being for student-athletes.

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Fairness

All college athletes deserve a fair shot. We focus on respect, integrity and responsibility, both on and off the field, so that college sports prepare student-athletes for life.

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Academics

Providing opportunities for learning is at the heart of our mission. The NCAA prioritizes academics so student-athletes get the most out of their education and build skills for success in the workplace and in life.

Academic Standards

We’ve raised the bar for incoming student-athletes, ensuring they’re ready for college.

Measuring Success

The NCAA closely tracks graduation rates for college athletes. What are we seeing? The rates are higher than ever.

Accountability

Only teams that make the grade can participate in championships.

TYING REVENUE TO GRADES

Division I schools' share of NCAA revenue is now tied to how teams perform academically, not just athletically.

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Well-Being

In 1906, the NCAA was founded to keep college athletes safe. We are working hard to protect them physically and mentally, on the field and off.

Concussion

We’re leading innovations in the science and treatment of concussion, investing $30 million with the U.S. Department of Defense on the largest study ever.

Independent Medical Care

All NCAA schools are subject to rules safeguarding independent medical care, so return-to-play decisions are made by health care providers, not coaches.

Best Practices

By collaborating with the leading sports medicine organizations, we’re working to provide student-athletes the best care possible.

Mental Health

College athletes should be healthy mentally as well as physically. We’re working to change the conversation and culture around mental health.

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Colin Parks, who played football at Albion, shares what he learned in college about physical and mental well-being.

Cameasha Turner, who played basketball at UTEP, describes how her scholarship provided her with the resources to enjoy a healthy college experience.

Michael Muñoz, a former student-athlete from Mount Olive, shares how college sports supported his personal growth.

Fairness

All college athletes deserve a fair shot. Respect, integrity and responsibility are equally important on and off the field. We are committed to them. Always.

Honoring Commitments

Guaranteeing Division I scholarships regardless of athletic performance or injury offers peace of mind.

Lifelong Success

A Gallup study found that the benefits of college sports continue for student-athletes long after they graduate.

Living Expenses

Division I schools can now cover the full cost of attendance for student-athletes, as well as help with special financial needs not covered by scholarships.

Time Management

We’ve listened to students about how they spend their time. Starting this year, Division I student-athletes will have more flexibility to take advantage of the full college experience.

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Roberto “Bubba” Baroniel, a former baseball player from Nova Southeastern, talks about student-athlete involvement in the oversight of college sports.

Natalie Snyder, a former diver from the Rochester Institute of Technology, tells her story of achieving success in the pool and the classroom.

Texas graduate Matt Nader explains how the Longhorns honored his scholarship, even when he couldn’t play college football.

Opportunity in Action

College sports bring together student-athletes from different backgrounds. Through these experiences, college athletes learn to work together and build the skills for future success.

At the NCAA, we’re proud to give opportunities to students who apply themselves in both sports and academics.

No matter how much training or how many championships are won, the numbers don’t lie: only 2% of college athletes will go pro. Watch as football legend and former college athlete Jerry Rice spells out the realities for college athletes and what awaits them after the final whistle is blown.

Beyond the numbers, it’s about opportunity. See how we’re working to provide it for nearly half a million college athletes.

An NCAA rule change in 2016 allowed Alec Peters to test his NBA draft potential and still return to school with eligibility for his senior year of college. Alec was selected the next year by the Phoenix Suns in the second round of the NBA Draft.

When all eyes are on the court, we are focused on what matters most – preparing college athletes for a lifetime of opportunity.

Jessica “JJ” Javelet, a former rugby Olympian who played field hockey at Louisville, describes how her athletic and academic scholarships provided her the opportunity to attend college.