The sports industry is a huge part of mainstream society. People of all ages enjoy participating in or watching sports. This is a way communities come together to root for the underdog or watch with baited breathe at a nail-biter ending. Sports offer so much to so many people from entertainment to a sense of belonging. If you are someone who loves sports, there are plenty of ways you can carry that into college.
Some people grow up loving sports, but don’t know how to carry that love into their adulthood. Just because you’re a college applicant, doesn’t mean you can’t still thrive on and enjoy watching or playing sports. After all, it is a multi-billion dollar industry that isn’t going away any time soon. You just have to figure out how to incorporate your love of sports into your new life in college. Whether that is as a player, within your major, or just for fun is up to you. Here are a few ways you can apply your love of sports during your college career.
Try to get recruited as a student-athlete.
The most obvious way to continue your passion for sports in college is to join a team or be recruited as a student-athlete. However, this is much easier said than done. You usually need years of experience in high school sports and you want to be at the top of your game to attract the eye of recruiters at your dream school.
You’ll also need to go through the admissions process with your ultimate goal in mind. Different college admissions experts may be your best options for the college application process with your unique approach. If you have strengths in a certain area, selective colleges may be more interested in you. Start reaching out to coaches and recruiters in advance to see if they would consider including you as a student-athlete.
Study a major within the sports field.
Believe it or not, there are a ton of different careers that have to do with sports, even if you aren’t an athlete. Exercise science, sports psychology, sports administration, or sports broadcasting are all great examples of ways you can be around different sports even if you don’t play them. Consider your next step toward pursuing one of these majors to turn your passion for sports into a true career.
Get involved with a team as a coach or assistant.
Many teams and athletes need behind-the-scenes support to operate at their full potential. You can try to get involved with one of your university teams by offering to assist a coach or do the administrative grunt work. Your responsibilities may include getting water for everyone, using the running track repair guide to clear debris before practice, or making sure everyone is at practice on time. This kind of work is still a great way to become a part of the team and stay around the sport you enjoy.
Join the intramural programs.
Maybe you enjoy sports but aren’t necessarily a stellar athlete. There are still ways to get out and play if the official university team isn’t the right fit for you. Most colleges offer intramural programs where you and a group of friends can still compete in tournaments and brackets with other amateurs on campus. Feel free to check these out to enjoy your favorite sport for fun.
Become a dedicated fan of your university teams.
Sports teams wouldn’t be the same without the fans. Your love of sports may be utilized best as a fan. See how many games you can get into for a discounted rate or even for free. This is a fun way to get to know your campus and get involved in your university while attending sporting events you love.
