When you ask a Division I athlete if they played a club sport, chances are they're going to say “yes.” This then  begs the question: Are club sports necessary to be recruited? This article breaks down the pros and cons of playing a high school sport or a club sport so you can decide for yourself. 

High School Sports

It's undeniable that high school sports teach valuable lessons. Similar to college, athletes on high school teams have to learn to excel in their academics in order to have a chance to excel in their athletics. They also teach school pride and humility. Most high school teams aren't as high in skill as a club team, so star players have to learn how to play with athletes of different skill levels. This teaches them how to maintain a high level of play against a weaker opponent. On the flip side, if you're a weaker athlete, , high school sports can be a great way to introduce yourself to some more skilled players gradually. However, if you're looking to be recruited to college, you're more than likely going to need to join a club team. 

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High school sports are also less expensive, give athletes more free time, and teach the importance of academic eligibility. However, if an athlete is looking to be recruited for a sport other than football and track, they're going to find it more difficult to do so without being on a club team. 

Club Sports

Unlike high school sports, club  sports are year-round events. This means more exposure to coaches and schools and more time to improve skill-wise. Data from NCSA Sports shows us the percentage of current college athletes who played club sports: 88% of  women's college soccer players,  and 77% of men, 92% of women's college basketball players, and 91% for men, 94% of current college softball players, and 85% for baseball, swimming is 79% for women and 79% for men, and volleyball is 91%. To summarize those numbers, it is unlikely to be recruited collegiately if you are not on a club team. It is not impossible, just statistically unlikely. 

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However, the benefits of joining a club team is also dependent on the sport. For example, only 25% of football players polled by NCSA competed on a club team. Men's track and women's track were similar with 28% and 34% of collegiate athletes being on club teams, respectively. 

Ultimately the decision on whether to play high school or club is up to each individual athlete. Pros and cons need to be weighed, and the question of whether or not the money put into club sports will turn around as an investment in a collegiate scholarship needs to be asked. At the end of the day, each athlete has different priorities and abilities and no one athlete can definitely answer the debate between the two for every athlete. 

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* Originally published on August 1, 2022, by Claire Borman