OPINION: The hidden costs of club sports
By Violet Daly ‘26
Image courtesy of PA Sports Betting Sets Handle Record, ESPN Bet Promos Hinder Revenue
As club sports become increasingly popular, approximately 28% of youth in the United States participate. This abundance has caused athletes to view playing for a club as essential when it comes to college recruitment. However, the club system excludes numerous talented athletes without the money to afford clubs or the familial support that is crucial for success.
Club sports originate from good intentions, such as creating environments that can foster growth for student athletes, athletic improvement, and learning how to manage a team dynamic. However, they have quickly become for-profit organizations, limiting the number of students who can participate and have the opportunity to access college scholarships. This disparity is present in three main ways: the financial aspect, the time commitment, and the impact on the student’s academic performance.
Prices of club sports can go up to $12,000 a year, which is a significant investment from the parents of the children involved in these sports. This kind of investment is impossible for many families, creating serious equity concerns. Despite an athlete’s love of a sport, the cost can create barriers, making one's passion a privilege based on financial status.
Not only are clubs expensive, but they can also take time away from an athlete’s schoolwork. Therefore, there is significant potential for negative impacts on the student’s academic standing for the 98% of students who do not receive these scholarships. The time spent playing in hopes of receiving some form of college financial aid takes away from studying and branching out for forms of academic achievement.
To have a fighting chance, students need to dedicate an exorbitant amount of time and money – potentially impacting their academics, social life, and health. One article from the Dallas Morning News called out the amount of dedication it takes to participate stating, “With the increased intensity comes a price — often in time and money, or in some cases, the child’s interest in the sport or even their physical well being.”
Many players and families invest money and time because they are under the impression they might get an athletic scholarship to offset the price of college. However, the reality is that competition for these scholarships is fierce; only about two percent of high school athletes receive some form of athletic scholarship for college.
In addition to clubs creating a non-socioeconomically diverse environment, most college recruiting scouts are only present during club seasons, excluding all of the athletes who cannot play club. For soccer, volleyball, swimming, and lacrosse, 80-90% of college athletes involved in these sports played for a club in high school. This essentially narrows the scope of players who are even given the chance to receive these scholarships or recruitment.
Student athletes who can afford clubs are usually the ones who can also afford college, meaning those who participate in club sports do not need a sports scholarship, and yet are the only ones who have consistent access to college scouts.
Students in the Catlin community are aware of this inequitable system in terms of time commitment, but not the financial part. After sending out a survey to Catlin Gabel students about their experiences in club sports, multiple student athletes reported that their experience of club was negatively influenced by the time investment, and that the club they participated in was subpar. Not one comment mentioned the expense.
One respondent, when asked if she thought athletes could get college scholarships without club experience, varsity volleyball player Meret Pajkic ‘26 said “No, I highly doubt that. Unless you’re playing at a really competitive high school for sports.”
Pajkic does not stand alone in her opinion, multiple other student athletes agreed: there is not a good chance of getting into college for a sport without playing club.
Overall, the club sports industry must strive to make adjustments that include need-based aid for athletes, lowering club expenses and expectations of time commitments, and requiring less of families. In correspondence with clubs making changes, college admissions need to branch out from only looking at club players to having recruiters who focus on high school athletes who depend on financial aid.
Club sports are intense and selective, yet there is potential for change. As the system grows even more and pressures rise, it is important to be aware of the downsides of devoting all of your time to club in hopes of achieving a college scholarship.