realistically playing 2 div I sports?

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Jan 31, 2015
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DD just started high school and has played club-level softball and field hockey since she was 7. We've told her she needs to choose one or the other in order to compete for div I rosters and scholarships.

She currently plays for a softball club team that's probably the #1 club team *in our area* for developing div I players and getting scholarships. She also plays for *one of* the #1 field hockey club teams *in the country* that's a 2 hour drive from our home who literally has 10 teams per age group and whose top players are found in the top 10 div I college programs.

She says she can't choose one sport over the other now, so we're letting her do both her freshman year.

Realistically, how many girls have actually played 2 div I sports?

Also, when it comes to div I college scholarships, is it a positive or negative to pursue 2 sports? I've heard some college coaches do not allow it, while others say it may be a positive differentiator, since the coaches can stretch their scholarship money further.

Thoughts?
 
Last edited:
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
Keep in mind that Div I in and of itself does not equate to high level competition. Plenty of Div I programs are awful. Realistically she is not going to play two sports at a high level in college. Playing for a high level program like those found in the P5 is a full time commitment. As she gets further into this she will need to make a decision, be pretty good at 2 sports or be great at 1 sport. As she develops physically the answer should present itself. But at her age I would not worry about it. Let her do both and see how it plays out.
 
Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
As far as high school she can play three sports if she likes it's not that big a deal. It is interesting that she plays on two high level club team because those are usually where the conflicts happen and where they are less forgiving. In HS it's just one season at a time and most schools/districts mandate practice to play in some fashion. The other thing to realize is these D1 scholarships are not all created equal getting a 25% or 33% tuition scholarship to random state U is not the same as a full ride to Notre Dame or Standford.

I would also get some kind of independent eyes on your daughter to access her talent level, playing on good teams does not mean that individually you are great. I'm sure you will educate us but as great as you think her softball program is the odds it is that great if it is located a few hours from great field hockey program is slim. The softball program may be well know in the area and every organization has their pipelines to schools but New England is not known as a softball hotbed.

As far as playing two division I sports in college...it is very rare. You are just too valuable to that coach putting up the most money to get hurt doing the other sport. Most exceptions you see are track where coach sees it as a plus to keep you in shape, a few volleyball/basketball since girls do this combo a lot and maybe some baseball/football combos as well but in general does not happen much.
 
Last edited:
Jan 31, 2015
249
43
Keep in mind that Div I in and of itself does not equate to high level competition. Plenty of Div I programs are awful. Realistically she is not going to play two sports at a high level in college. Playing for a high level program like those found in the P5 is a full time commitment. As she gets further into this she will need to make a decision, be pretty good at 2 sports or be great at 1 sport. As she develops physically the answer should present itself. But at her age I would not worry about it. Let her do both and see how it plays out.

Well, the problem is now that her club softball team is starting to play college showcase tournaments and had to pass on similar club field hockey tournaments, since they required weekend practices during fall ball tournaments which her club softball team plays almost every weekend.

So, we've pretty much told her that she will not be able to play on her club field hockey team 1 or 2 (out of 10) unless she plays year round like the rest of the girls she's competing with.

FWIW, the goal is to play for a div I program hopefully with at least a partial scholarship to go with an academic scholarship; however, it does not necessarily have to be top 10 div I, since a school with an excellent program in her planned major will be the #1 criteria.

Thanks for the input though!
 
Jan 31, 2015
249
43
As far as high school she can play three sports if she likes it's not that big a deal. It is interesting that she plays on two high level club team because those are usually where the conflicts happen and where they are less forgiving. In HS it's just one season at a time and most schools/districts mandate practice to play in some fashion. The other thing to realize is these D1 scholarships are not all created equal getting a 25% or 33% tuition scholarship to random state U is not the same as a full ride to Notre Dame or Standford.

I would also get some kind of independent eyes on your daughter to access her talent level, playing on good teams does not mean that individually you are great. I'm sure you will educate us but as great as you think her softball program is the odds it is that great if it is located a few hours from great field hockey program is slim. The softball program may be well know in the area and every organization has their pipelines to schools but New England is not known as a softball hotbed.

As far as playing two division I sports in college...it is very rare. You are just too valuable to that coach putting up the most money to get hurt doing the other sport. Most exceptions you see are track where coach sees it as a plus to keep you in shape, a few volleyball/basketball since girls do this combo a lot and maybe some baseball/football combos as well but in general does not happen much.


Unfortunately, high school sports in our area are a joke, so we already had to make her drop her JV field hockey team, since it conflicted with both club team practices and even some weekend games. As far as her high school softball team, they only have a varsity team, so she'll be pitching varsity although she'll only be 14, but I've already put her on notice that her club teams are the priority over the high school teams, so if her high school softball coach has a problem with her missing 2 practices per week for her club softball team, then she's not playing high school softball at least in her freshman year, and maybe not until her club softball coach gets her a verbal commitment. ;-)

As far as an independent set of eyes, both her field hockey and softball coaches have no problem giving frank assessments, and which of the 10 field hockey teams at her age group indicates her talent level. Last year she was on team 5 out of 10; we've told her that teams 1 & 2 play at a whole other level of speed and agility, so if she doesn't make at least team 3 or 4 this year, she needs to seriously reconsider field hockey next year, especially since the higher teams play all year round which is not possible with playing softball all year round too.

Also, her number 1 college choice right now is top 5 in field hockey but top 200 in softball, so the probability of playing softball for them is far greater, especially since her softball club team just placed a freshman there on a free ride.

Thanks again for your feedback!
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
First of all, please understand that softball scholarships are very hard to come by. At least those with significant $ attached to them. Making the scholarship a focus could lead to disappointment in the future. If she does end up with a scholarship, consider it a bonus.

But beyond that, I understand your concern about multiple sports at D1. A player from my 18u team is currently dealing with that decision. She has received several offers but has two that she is currently weighing. She can either play softball at a D1 program. Or she can play both softball and field hockey at a D3 program. She is in a unique situation in that her share of the tuition will be similar for either school she selects. And both schools are strong academically, specifically in the field she is targeting. So it really comes down to playing one sport or two. The D1 coach told her that playing field hockey would not be an option at that university, but I am sure that varies from school to school. Meanwhile both coaches at the D3 are on board with her playing both sports.
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
It isn't as rare as people make out especially in track & field, but if there is a cross over in seasons one takes priority (generally the one providing the scholarship).

Outside of track that you have to be a bit of an ultra-athlete to keep up with those dedicated to their sport. Some names come to mind - Della-Donne played volleyball and basketball. Jamis Winston played Football and Baseball (but gave up baseball). A lot of footballers play basketball once the football season is over but generally on the bench (Tony Gonzalez and Charlie Ward are the last two I can think of with a large role at a high D1 though there are many others).

Injuries often force athletes to help out but mainly again - bench time (I was there for basketball but I practiced a few weeks and even played 4 plays in a game on the football team and dressed for a volleyball game due to injuries). To play NCAA sports you have to be eligible - so when something happens (rash of injuries, suspensions, academic ineligibles, etc) you can't just go out and get anyone. So where does the football or basketball coach go first - to the pool of other eligible athletes at the college playing other sports.


The biggest two sport athletes - volleyball and beach volleyball. It is rare where all the players on the beach volleyball team an not also on the indoor volleyball team. I know many people think it is the same sport - but it really isn't just as softball isn't baseball even though there are clearly skills the same between the sports.
 
Last edited:
Jan 31, 2015
249
43
First of all, please understand that softball scholarships are very hard to come by. At least those with significant $ attached to them. Making the scholarship a focus could lead to disappointment in the future. If she does end up with a scholarship, consider it a bonus.

But beyond that, I understand your concern about multiple sports at D1. A player from my 18u team is currently dealing with that decision. She has received several offers but has two that she is currently weighing. She can either play softball at a D1 program. Or she can play both softball and field hockey at a D3 program. She is in a unique situation in that her share of the tuition will be similar for either school she selects. And both schools are strong academically, specifically in the field she is targeting. So it really comes down to playing one sport or two. The D1 coach told her that playing field hockey would not be an option at that university, but I am sure that varies from school to school. Meanwhile both coaches at the D3 are on board with her playing both sports.


Great feedback. So, the #1 college criteria is the school's program in her major. #2 Is playing div I sport for the college. Some combination of academic and athletic scholarships would be double-bonus points.
 
Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
Most states don't allow HS kids to play club softball during the season. Even if some do almost all club softball teams go dark March thru May for HS ball anyway, in other words there are not many tournament to play and only if your state allows might there be a weekend practice or two. Also like you are mentioning problems usually come in when club teams want a bigger commitment as you go up in level.
 
May 15, 2016
926
18
Realistically she is not going to play two sports at a high level in college.

I know player who was on both the softball and the soccer teams for a solid mid-major school (do they refer to softball teams as being a mid-major?). She played in the NCAA regionals for both teams.
 

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