Training at least once a day and workouts in the weight room. Games across North America as well as press conferences and media events. Every game held in a sold-out arena filled with thousands of fans. Tickets are so rare, that they are handed out on live broadcasting around the clock.
Welcome to the world of college football, where teams of the best universities in the country compete for the national NCAA title. Universities pay the studies for their talented youths and the young stars represent their universities across the country. The media hype around the two best teams competing in the finals is incredible and proves the significance of college football.
Football is a very prestigious college sport and thus attracts many spectators and funds, which are used for scholarships and other necessities for their teams. The media attraction can be compared to a German “Bundesliga” soccer game. In total, there are 600 universities competing in different football leagues across America.
A first impression of this amazing spirit will be shown by the marching band of the University of California, Los Angeles.
History
The beginning of American Football dates back to the year 1869, when the first game was held between Princeton and Rutgers. These teams played in Brunswick, New Jersey with a football-like ball without a referee and 25 players on each side. In 1875, Columbia, Yale, Harvard, and Stevens Tech all had their own football squads. The athletes played with a leather covered, egg-shaped rugby ball and three referees: one assigned from each team and a neutral umpire.
In 1875 and 1876, a crossbar was installed between the goal posts, nine feet above the ground. Also, it was decided that each team would play with 15 athletes.
Measurements and labeling on the sports field were introduced in 1882 and incorporated the gridiron.
In 1894, it was agreed upon a trio of referees: the referee, the assistant referee (umpire) and the lines man. After the “flying wedge” formation was abandoned in 1894, the sport was supposed to become less dangerous.
The National College Athletic Association (NCAA) was founded in 1910 and is known to be the organization regulating the rules and guidelines of football.
Around 1912, football evolved to its modern form known today. The introduction of the forward pass marked the final distinction from rugby. Changes introduced by the reform movement regarding the rules and the athletes’ equipment lead the way to the modern form of football.
Points
Changes in score keeping, for example the higher score for touchdowns, has helped to boost the popularity of football in the beginning of the 20th century.
In 1883, the first score system was introduced and the most points were awarded for kicking the ball. Field goals were awarded with 5 points and an extra kick with 4 points. This count has changed immensely and the touchdown counts 6 points while the field goal only gets awarded with 3 points.
In the 20th century, safety gear improved hugely, especially the padding and the head gear. Plastic helmets were introduced after the Second World War. Shoulder, knee, hip and thigh gear started to be worn and have advanced in solidity and size. Unbreakable face masks made out of rubber or plastic have been legal since 1951, metal ones since 1968. A mouth guard is mandatory since 1973. The modern football gladiator, completely covered by his protective gear, is either an offense of defense specialist and will be put onto the field for field goals or extra points.
By the late 1990s, almost 650 “four year colleges” (595 of those NCAA members) had their own teams. Spectators counted a record of 37.5 million per year, 27.5 million of those spectators of Division I A college games.
Good reasons for a football scholarship
1. Football and studies can be easily combined
Many American universities have traditional football teams which compete on the highest levels. These teams are managed and trained by professional, full-time coaches. They are very important marketing tools for colleges because of the huge interest in college football nationwide. Spectators get to see the stars of tomorrow. That is why the colleges provide large budgets for their teams which are unheard of in European countries. The funds are allocated in form of scholarships which provide the football players with the expenses for their study fees and living expenses.
2. Foreign language skills are fundamental
They lead to secure careers, a higher income and higher social mobility. Almost all international football players have developed very good English language skills after three to four weeks because they communicate to their coaches, team colleagues and friends all day.
3. Football scholarships in the USA can save a lot of money
In total, American universities fund scholarships with US$ 60 million a year. These funds are spent on scholarships, accommodation, books, training camps, and football gear. You do not have to be part of the national championship team or even the national team in order to qualify for a scholarship. You should, however, have played in the German Football League 1 or 2 or have been able to make a name for yourself in the GFL junior team.
4. Football players are paid huge respect and are the stars of the campus
Because of the immense public interest and the extensive media coverage of college football in the US, football is considered a very important sport. A big part of the income goes back to the universities and thus secures the funding for college football.
5. Nowhere else, you will find so many great chances to become a pro
There are great practice facilities and opportunities at the colleges, motivated by the top coaches and the immense funding available. Many, hundreds or even thousands of college football players have furthered their careers into professional football and have become millionaires by playing their favorite sport.
Conferences and the divisions
Most frequent winners of the national championship
Timing
The best time to go to the USA on a sports scholarship is straight after you finish school. College coaches prefer to give scholarships to younger students, as it enables them to continually train and improve a player’s performance over a period of four years. It is also possible to go to the US for just one year. Due to the contact we have to a large number of college coaches we have been able to help athletes after they have completed their Bachelor to do their Master in the USA. The best timing is if you contact us about one year before you plan to start studying in the USA. Football players should start their studies in the Fall Semester (August), which also introduces the football season.
Football season
The structure of the football season divided in the different bowls which is a bit peculiar. The finals for both Division I and II and the NAIA are held regularly at the end of the year, either in November or December.
Preconditions
Generally, one can judge the collegiate divions in football after following German standards:
College coaches like to engage young players so they can work together over a longer period of time. Besides that, rules state that players in the Division I can only be between the ages of 18 to 24. However, there are opportunities for older athletes to play in two other college leagues in the US, namely the Division II and NAIA. It is possible to go to the US for a year and complete two semesters abroad. There are many international athletes in the American college leagues, which also makes it very attractive for you to be part of these times. Vice versa, the competition for scholarships is immense. You should play in the GFL juniors in order to qualify for one of the scholarships. You should also be physically fit and robustly built. However, if you do not fit into mentioned criteria, you still have the chance to be part of a college football team, maybe because of above-average high school graduation results, very good English language knowledge or if you are willing to spend a bit of money on your education yourself.
Scholarships are not easily attainable because of the high level of performance at the colleges. However, exceptional athletes do have a chance. If you have already made experiences in the GFL, you have great prospects on obtaining a partial scholarship.
If professional football is your highest priority, then playing at a college in the US is the best place for you to improve your skills and show off your capabilities in the international sport. The NFL consists of previous college stars because colleges offer ideal trainings facilities, a very high density of achievements and many exceptional coaches.
The process of finding a scholarship and contacting coaches in the US as well as handling the rules and regulations of the NCAA can prove to be a difficult task for both parents and athletes. Using our expertly run recruiting and scouting services is a necessity for athletes who are really interested in making a career in college football.
Links
On following page, you can get more information on all teams and all football results: http://www.ncaafootball.com/
