College Track & Field in the U.S.

Discover what U.S. College Track & Field is all about and how we can help you get a Track & Field scholarship at an American university - while earning your degree at the same time. Let's make your dream reality.

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What Is College Track & Field In The U.S.

Track & field in college offers the perfect option to combine elite competition with personal development and future opportunity. The college track & field environment is competitive and highly organized, closely mirroring a professional setup. It provides student-athletes in track & field with elite coaching, dedicated support, and often state-of-the-art training facilities (such as specialized tracks, throwing cages, jumping pits, and strength training areas).

Why College Track & Field is so Special:

Team Spirit Over Solo Play:You don't just compete for yourself anymore. Your teammates become your family as you fight together for national championships.
A Global Network: Build lifelong friendships and connect with people from across the globe, opening doors to international career opportunities.
Personal Growth: Thrive in a unique environment that builds resilience, character, and the professional discipline that will define your success for years to come.

For the most talented, this route serves as a strategic stepping stone: many elite graduates from top college programs go on to compete professionally and join national teams (often pursuing Olympic dreams), proving it is a viable route to the highest ranks of the sport. College sport ultimately opens doors for your future career, whether in professional sports or the corporate world.

Combination

Train daily at a high level while earning an internationally recognized degree.

Funding

Academic and athletic scholarships cover tuition and living costs.

Career

Your degree and college experience open doors worldwide and are highly valued by employers.

Make it to The Next Level

Maximize your athletic potential and use College Track & Field to make it to the next level.

Hear From Our Athletes

Read what our athletes have to say about their experiences with us.

To work with Smarthlete really was one of the best choices of my life. From professional behavior, over always having an overview of things to being very reliable. I liked everything throughout my recruiting process!

Aaron

Calumet College of Saint Joseph, NAIA

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Scholarships

We have already secured more than $23 million in scholarships for our athletes – and counting.

International

Over the years, we have helped thousands of athletes worldwide find the perfect university and the right scholarship in the USA. Currently, more than 400 former Smarthlete clients are studying at colleges across the United States.

Client Satisfaction

We support athletes and families personally, closely, and transparently – reflected in a 95% satisfaction rate.

Meet Our Track & Field in The U.S.

Our athletes currently in college have turned their dream of competing in the U.S. into reality. With hundreds already placed at top universities, our athletes' stories and successes show what’s possible with the right support.

Raiko Kahr

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

NCAA DI

Isabell-Mary Luik

Florida International University

NCAA DI

Valeria Smirnova

University of Georgia

NCAA DI

Success Stories

This is What College Track & Field is All About

Discover what it really means to live and play in the U.S. - this could be your journey next.

College Track & Field Passion

Day in The Life of a College Track & Field Athlete

U.S. College Track & Field

What Does a Day in The Life of a Track & Field Athlete Look Like?

Depending on the time of the year, most student-athletes start their day with an early morning practice, which means getting up early. These practices might include specialized strength and conditioning workouts in the weight room, focusing on explosive power and injury prevention, or specific event work like technique drills, short sprints, or light distance runs on the track. These sessions typically last one to two hours. After the early workout or practice, athletes go to the cafeteria to eat breakfast, followed by classes, usually between 8:00 a.m. and noon. After that, it’s lunch time together in the dining hall with their teammates or other friends.

Teams typically have a two to three hour practice session in the afternoon. This is often the primary training session of the day, involving high-intensity work like speed development, long interval training for distance runners, or event-specific practice (e.g., throwing rotations, high jump approaches, relay handoffs) for field athletes. If not in practice, athletes may use this time for additional classes, attending labs, or study hall. Student-athletes can also be scheduled for physical therapy, icing, or stretching to aid recovery from the heavy impact and load of training

In the evening, there is plenty of time to do homework, relax, and socialize. While you have a meal plan in college, you will most certainly also go out for dinner at times and find some other fun things to do with your friends. Meets or competitions can be scheduled to take place over the weekend, but also occasionally during the week, requiring travel and careful balance of academic commitments.

What Does The College Recruiting Timeline & College Season Look Like?

Recruiting Timeline

The College Track & Field recruiting process is highly competitive and requires early preparation. Coaches at top programs begin evaluating athletes well in advance, often securing commitments from their strongest prospects one or even two years before enrollment. That’s why we strongly recommend starting your recruiting journey at least 24 months before your desired starting date at college.

Beginning early gives you the chance to connect with coaches, send updated video footage and verified statistics (e.g., Personal Bests/PRs, legal wind readings), complete all eligibility steps, and receive offers before roster spots and scholarship budgets fill up. While it’s still possible to start later, most of the best opportunities may already be taken, so getting ahead is the best way to keep your options open and secure the right fit.

College Swim & Dive Season

The official college track & field calendar features two distinct seasons: the Indoor Season (typically late November to mid-March) and the Outdoor Season (typically mid-March through late May/early June).

During these seasons, teams compete in a rigorous schedule of non-conference and conference meets, representing their schools in pursuit of a conference championship and a spot in the National Tournament. The schedule is intense, with competitions often scheduled on weekends or in blocks. This demanding schedule requires student-athletes to balance academics, competition, and specialized training at a high level.

The remaining semesters serve as the off-season or non-traditional season, focusing heavily on strength and conditioning, specialized training, and individual skill development. This phase focuses on recovery followed by an intensive cycle of building base fitness and specialized strength. Pre-season typically includes specific conditioning routines, baseline testing, and early practice sessions to prepare the body for the high demands of competition. This year-round structure makes college track & field both challenging and rewarding, pushing athletes to continuously improve and perform at their best while earning a degree.

How High a Scholarship Can I Get?

The amount of track & field scholarship you can receive depends on several key factors—most importantly your athletic level, the division or association you're targeting (NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA, or Junior College), and the specific college or university you aim to join.

Full-Ride Scholarships

A full-ride sport scholarship covers tuition and fees, housing, meal plan, books, and sometimes even travel or personal expenses, representing the highest level of scholarship support available. Only a small number of track and field athletes receive full rides each year, typically top-ranked international or national-level athletes competing for major NCAA Division I or elite NAIA programs.

Partial Scholarships

Most college student athletes receive partial scholarships, which cover a portion of total college costs (for example, part of tuition or housing). Coaches often divide their total scholarship budget among multiple athletes to build a strong overall team across all events (sprints, jumps, throws, distance), meaning that performance, verified rankings (like PRs), and potential all play key roles in determining how much aid you receive.

Academic and Additional Financial Aid

Many colleges also offer academic scholarships and need-based financial aid. In many cases, these can be combined with athletic scholarships to significantly lower your total cost of attendance. Strong grades and test scores can make a big difference, as academically successful athletes are often more attractive to coaches and more likely to receive additional financial support.