Do you have a desire to play a varsity sport in college but are not on a high school club sports team?

Plenty of high school athletes dream of playing their preferred sport at the collegiate level, but are not ever given the chance to do so. High school club teams, which are the main source of recruiting for these athletes, are hard to make and positions are hard to grab depending on the reputation of the club.

Despite talent, the most intimidating thing about playing on a club team is the cost. The price to join one of these teams can average out to about $4,000 per player, including transportation, tournament fees, and tuition of the club. But, plenty of times, it is worth the money.

Senior Caroline Chivily, a softball player who has recently committed to play at Hamilton College, feels that playing on a club team “was a critical component to get recruited.” She adds that “playing for [her] club team allowed [her] to be in some of the largest showcases in the country and as a result [she] was able to be seen by numerous college coaches.”

But, if joining a club team is not within reach for an athlete, there are other alternatives to be recruited.

One way to be seen by multiple coaches at one time is to attend tournaments or combines held by a collection of universities. The coaches are usually there helping with the behind the scenes work but will not hesitate to reach out if they see desirable talent. However, stay away from camps hosted by college teams. Often, these will be used by teams just to make money, not to recruit any more players.

Another way to get on a varsity team in college is to try out as a walk-on. Alex Erickson, a wide receiver for the University of Wisconsin-Madison football team, started as a walk-on and now is a starter. If an athlete plays a sport that does not typically field club teams, like football or golf, this is a great way to prove talent.

Of course, it all depends on the sport. For sports that are not typically sponsored in high schools, a club team is one of the only ways to get recruited. On the other hand, there are plenty of colleges who could watch a high schooler’s highlight tape and reach out to them based on the talent displayed.

Whatever route taken, it is always comforting to hear that there is a school out there for everyone, and if playing a sport in college is a big part of the college search, there are plenty of effective ways to achieve that goal.