Options for HS Athletes at Colleges

My daughter is a great student who is crazy about softball. She was on her high-school team but may not have the skills or time to play at a Division I or II school. What are some options that will let her concentrate on academics and also play softball? -- Student Athlete
Answer: Many Division I and II schools have spots for student-athletes who are not superstars in high school. If your daughter wants to play sports at this level, she should register now at the NCAA Clearinghouse at www.ncaa.org/wps/portal for eligibility and recruiting information. She especially needs to know about the guidelines that both coaches and prospective college athletes must follow. In fact, all students interested in college athletics should visit this Web site as early as their freshman year.
Another possible way for her to stay connected to softball is by playing intramural spots. Plus, she can investigate the opportunities to play softball at one of the more than 400 Division III schools. Many of these schools have very challenging academic programs. To learn more about these schools, she can visit www.collegestudentathletes.com.