For many high school athletes, the dream of playing sports in college starts at a young age. From early morning practices to weekend tournaments, it’s easy to get caught up in the grind. But what happens when that dream starts to feel more like a burden than a passion?
Across high schools in the U.S., students are feeling the pressure, not just to perform well in their sport, but take it to the next level. Coaches, parents, and even peers often push the idea that getting recruited is the ultimate goal. And for some it is, but for others, it’s the idea of having more freedom after high school.
There is also the pressure of not wanting to let people down. If a student athlete has been playing a sport their whole life, the expectation is that they will continue. Parents who have spent thousands on club teams may expect a return on investment in the form of a scholarship. Coaches often build their programs around top players and push them to aim for the next level. Even friends sometimes say, “You’re so good, you have to play in college.” But not every athlete wants that.
Balancing sports with school, social life, and mental health is already a lot. Adding the stress of college recruitment can lead to burnout, anxiety, or even injury. It’s important to remember that there is no shame in choosing a different route.
According to the NSAA only about 7% of high school athletes go on to play in college. For Division 1 schools, the ones that often give out athletic scholarships, it is even lower; about 2%. That means the vast majority of student athletes don’t go collegiate. But for some reason, the pressure to do so keeps growing.
Choosing not to play in college doesn’t mean giving up. It means choosing a path that makes sense personally. For some, that might be club or intramural sports. For others it could be coaching, studying sports management, or focusing on a totally different passion.
Collegiate sports can be an amazing opportunity for those who truly want it. But high schoolers need to know what their worth isn’t based on whether or not they play at the next level. Success comes in many forms, and it’s okay to walk an individual path. What matters most is that high school student athletes are doing what makes them happy, not what other people expect. Even if that means hanging up the cleats.
So to every student athlete that feels the pressure, it is okay to just enjoy the game. No one is owed a scholarship or a signing post day. What matters is doing what feels right. The future isn’t defined by stats, but by what’s loved and where the next step leads.
“Live it up, it goes by way too fast and you’ll make some memories that’ll last a lifetime,’ junior Ethan Beachy said. “Keep working but have fun while doing it.”
