The walk-on route–is it a risk worth taking? And what exactly is a walk-on athlete? Basically, a walk-on is an athlete who is either actively recruited or tries out for a collegiate team, but doesn't receive an athletic scholarship. Competing collegiately with no athletic financial aid might seem like a rip-off, but it definitely has its perks. Why else would 46 percent of DI athletes and 39 percent of DII athletes choose to be walk-ons?
Take Robert Allen, for instance. He's a 5'11” 170-pound junior sprinter from Bloomfield, Connecticut, and a walk-on turned All-American in the 60-meter dash in indoor track and field last year. As a sophomore, Robert also received All-New England Division III awards in the 60-meter dash and 200-meter dash during the indoor season. Robert also set the Trinity College track and field record in the 60-meter dash, running a time of 6.89 seconds.
Without the opportunity to be a walk-on, Allen would not have had the chance to be great at his sport at the collegiate level. Not to mention, walk-ons also are eligible to earn financial aid just like their scholarship-athlete teammates at their coach's discretion. Walk-on athletes also get the opportunity to be an important part of team culture, work towards their athletic goals, and play the sport they love at the highest level.
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If you're truly passionate about your athletic career and want to continue it in college, don't count out the opportunity to be a walk-on if it's an option for you. And if you decide to go for it, wear the walk-on label with pride–there's no shame in playing your sport for the love of the game.
* Originally published on March 31, 2022, by Charlie Ducret
