Track & Field Recruitment

If you’re an aspiring track & field athlete dreaming of studying and playing in the USA, get started early to ensure you earn your place.

Your Guide to a Track & Field Scholarship in the USA

A track and field scholarship in the USA offers financial aid to student-athletes based on their performances and academic achievements. Scholarships vary from partial to full-ride, covering tuition, accommodation, and other expenses. They're offered by NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA institutions, each with specific eligibility requirements.
1
Research Programs
Look for colleges with strong track and field programs that align with your academic goals and event specialties. Explore both Division I and Division II schools, as well as options within NAIA and NJCAA. Create a shortlist of schools that offer scholarships and fit your preferences.
2
Create an Athlete Profile
Include personal bests, competition results, and progression data that showcases your development. Make sure to document your performances with official results and competition footage that demonstrates your technical abilities, competitive spirit, and versatility in your events.
3
Connect with Coaches
Email college coaches with your athlete profile, attend meets where college coaches will be present, and participate in recruitment events. Personalize your communication to each coach, emphasizing why their program is a great fit for you. Recruitment begins 2-3 years before college starts.
4
Maintain Academic Excellence
Scholarships often require a minimum GPA and standardized test scores (e.g., SAT/ACT). Balancing academics and athletics shows commitment and discipline, which are qualities coaches value.

Top Track & Field Programs

Stanford University

Combines elite athletics with top-tier academics, producing numerous NCAA champions and Olympians while maintaining the highest academic standards. Features the Cobb Track and Angell Field complex and comprehensive student-athlete support services.

LSU

Distoric program with 30+ NCAA team titles and over 60 Olympians. Features one of the fastest tracks in collegiate athletics and comprehensive training facilities. Exceptional sprint and field event development program.

Arkansas

Powerhouse program with 40+ NCAA team championships across indoor and outdoor seasons. Features the world-class Randal Tyson Track Center and John McDonnell Field. Known for exceptional development of middle distance and field event athletes.

University of Oregon

Home of historic Hayward Field and "Track Town USA," Oregon boasts 20+ NCAA team titles and countless Olympians. Their state-of-the-art facilities and renowned coaching staff attract top talent globally. The program has produced legends like Steve Prefontaine and modern stars like Raevyn Rogers.

What Coaches Look For

Be on top of your game and evaluate these physical and mental skills before applying for recruitment:

"With the help of Crimson, I'm now a runner at Florida A&M University." - Frankleen

Strategists

Meet our Athletic Strategists

Our team includes elite athletes and former coaches with careers in soccer, tennis, golf, track & field/XC, swimming & diving, basketball, volleyball, water polo, rowing, baseball, triathlon, and more.
Track & Field / XC
Rugby
Baseball
Harry Lord
Former Princeton Captain | Head of Crimson Athletics
FAQ

Still Have a Question?

Our strategists have carefully answered some of the most common questions that they receive from their student athletes, read on to hear more about your sport.
How can Crimson help with track recruitment?

We provide: Direct coach connections and introductions Performance analysis and goal setting Academic planning and test prep Competition schedule optimization Video and profile creation Scholarship negotiation support NCAA compliance guidance Visit planning and preparation

How do I balance multiple recruitment offers?

Consider these factors: Athletic development opportunities Academic program strength Scholarship amount Team culture fit Geographic location Coach's track record Training facilities Competition schedule

What's the difference between official and unofficial visits?

Official Visits: Paid for by the university Limited to 48 hours Can occur after January 1 of junior year Maximum of 5 Division I visits Unofficial Visits: Paid for by the athlete No time limit Can occur any time Unlimited number allowed

What role do academics play in recruitment?

Academics are crucial, especially for top academic institutions. For example, Ivy League schools typically look for: GPA: 3.7+ (unweighted) SAT: 1400+ (preferably 1500+) ACT: 32+ Rigorous course load (AP/IB classes) Many Division I programs require minimum: GPA: 3.0+ SAT: 1080+ ACT: 21+

What performance marks do I need to be recruited?

Standards vary by division and event, but here are general Division I benchmarks: Men's Events: 100m: 10.5-10.8 seconds 200m: 21.5-22.0 seconds 400m: 47.5-48.5 seconds 800m: 1:51-1:54 1500m: 3:52-3:58 5000m: 14:30-15:00 High Jump: 2.05-2.15m Long Jump: 7.30-7.50m Shot Put: 17.50-18.50m Pole Vault: 4.90-5.10m Women's Events: 100m: 11.8-12.2 seconds 200m: 24.2-24.8 seconds 400m: 54.5-56.0 seconds 800m: 2:08-2:12 1500m: 4:28-4:35 5000m: 16:45-17:15 High Jump: 1.75-1.85m Long Jump: 5.90-6.10m Shot Put: 14.50-15.50m Pole Vault: 3.90-4.10m

Can international athletes get recruited?

Yes, but additional requirements include: NCAA Eligibility Center registration Academic records evaluation English proficiency tests (TOEFL/IELTS) Valid student visa Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) World Athletics recognized performances

What should my recruitment video include?

For track and field, focus on: Competition footage from major meets Training technique footage for technical events Warm-up routines and drills for sprints/jumps Multiple angles for throwing events Split times and progression data Recent competition results overlay

How are track scholarships typically structured?

Track and field is an equivalency sport, meaning: Division I programs have 12.6 scholarships for men and 18 for women Most athletes receive partial scholarships (25-75% of costs) Full rides typically reserved for national-level athletes Division II has fewer scholarships available Division III doesn't offer athletic scholarships but provides academic aid

When should I start the recruitment process?

Here's a typical timeline: Freshman Year: Begin documenting performances Sophomore Year: Start researching schools and creating target lists Junior Year (Fall): Initial contact with coaches, attend meets where coaches will be present Junior Year (Spring): Official visits begin June 15 Senior Year (Fall): Make commitment decisions Senior Year (Early Spring): Sign National Letter of Intent

preparing

The Recruit's Journey

Crafting a winning strategy requires preparation of an elite athletic-academic profile, and connection to coaches at the right time.
First: Evaluation

All student-athletes must evaluate their candidacy against their college goals. Identify gaps in your profile, and start buidlling your gameplan. For some candidates, the plan will revolve all about sport recruitment (athlete-first). For others, we take a comprehensive and combined approach to US college admissions, working on both academic and athletic fronts (scholar-athlete).

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College Recruitment Pathway
Build Your Timeline

Map out key recruitment deadlines, showcase events and application milestones up to three or four years out. Strategic timing is crucial - great recruits take time to ensure quality across video creation, testing, interviews, and visits.

Master Academic Eligibility

Navigate NCAA eligibility while building an academic profile that appeals to your target schools. Smart course selection, standardized test planning, and understanding school-specific pre-requisites can make the key difference in recruitment.

Craft Your Athletic Profile

Develop a compelling athletic narrative through carefully selected footage, performance metrics, and achievement highlights. Presentation matters - coaches receive hundreds of profiles, and often don't know international systems.

Connect With Coaches

Execute a targeted outreach strategy that gets noticed by the right programs. Timing, communication, and understanding each program's needs are essential. Building meaningful connections takes time and consistency.

Excel In-Person

College soccer has changed to the point where serious programs need to see you in real-life. So, maximize every interaction - from showcase events to campus visits and coach meetings. These moments determine your outcomes.

Strategize Your Selection

Balance athletic fit, academic opportunity, and program culture to make an informed decision. Consider playing time potential, scholarship, and development. Your choice shapes not just four years, but your future.

Make your final decision

With offers in hand, you can select your best-fit college. Most recruits apply in the early round and sign the National Letter of Intent.

Typically, you’ll receive a final decision by December of your application year!

Need Support? Speak to Our Team!

Speak to an Advisor

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Launch Your College Journey Today

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Dan

UC Berkeley • Rugby

"We had eight schools come back to us overnight after my player profile was sent out to coaches - and that was places I never would have dreamed of, like Harvard, Columbia, Brown, Dartmouth and obviously Berkeley."