Does anyone know if there are any ou-of-pocket costs for participating in NESCAC or any D3 athletic programs. My D is being recruited for track and I want to make sure we have all the potential costs accounted for.
I can’t think of any out of pocket costs other than certain travel costs for the trip to a warmer climate for tournament play during spring vacation. I believe this charge was only for travel, but not accommodations. The team did have fundraisers to offset the cost of the trip. The only other cost I can think of would be a meal cost if the bus returned after cafeteria hours. Most other costs (uniforms, uniform cleaning, travel, excess insurance) was covered by the school.
I would suggest, however, that you ask the coach that is recruiting you, as he or she would have more accurate information.
My daughter plays in a D2 program, and everything required is provided. Daughter likes other things. She doesn’t like the cleats provided, so those run about $110. She likes pre-wrap before taping, and I just mailed her $40 worth (more than enough for a long while). Extra meals on the road, but that’s no more than she’d spend if she was on campus on a weekend. One strange thing they needed was a towel for the work out room, and several athletes couldn’t use the room until they brought a stupid $4 towel.
So little things, but not a lot of money.
This likely varies from sport to sport and school to school. For my student’s sport, there are numerous costs.
- Team fundraising campaigns seeking 100% participation.
- Team training trip $1000. plus the cost of some meals.
- Donations of meals/Gatorade/snacks.
- Cost of championship suit $100. after team subsidy.
- Cost of dinners at championship meet $60.
- Team gear like sweatshirt, tshirts, shorts.
Optional costs:
- Donations for charity events that team participates in.
- Parent travel, parent dinners.
The team provides meet competition suit, stipend for meals while at meets, and all travel expenses associated with meet i.e. transportation and hotels.
These costs can come as a surprise for some. Our team will cover costs for those who would not be able to participate due to these costs.
Not NESCAC specific, and maybe not your situation, but check that your medical coverage works for a student athlete away from home. My son’s first school required non-local athletes to verify that they were not on an HMO-type plan. Athletes had to be able to go to a specialist without approval from a primary care doctor, otherwise you were automatically billed for the school’s medical policy which was ~$800/yr.
The athletic dept. was not worried about common issues which could be treated at the Univ. health center, they wanted to make sure you had coverage should your child need medical care for an injury or condition that warranted an MRI, surgery, etc. They had a team sports doctor that came in regularly for minor concerns but most parents/athletes want a second opinion if it is anything serious.
My daughter did request clothing from the team. It was a fundraiser for an assistant coach’s salary so she (really I) bought about $200 in shirts, jackets, etc. She also needed a pair of khaki shorts to wear on the bus to travel, and that was just not something in her wardrobe. The athletic department does have a auction/raffle/dinner thing that many buy tickets to even if they can’t attend. I attended and it was fun, but I didn’t win the $25k. Nor the $10k. Nor any of the $1k prizes. I did eat the BBQ.
I also paid admission for several games before I found out that my name was on ‘a list’ and I got in for free. That’s $20 bucks or so I’ll never get back.
Our older D’s experience was like the list in post #6. We were expected to bring food to all games for the post game team tailgate. Sometimes the team mom asked for money to supplement the team’s food budget on a road trip. I just about lost it when she tried to assess $25 to each family that didn’t attend a game (tailgate). Luckily someone who lived locally saw that it was punitive to those who lived too far away to attend weeknight games, and she suggested the local contingent just bring a little more food.
What about equipment like running shoes, uniforms, equipment bags, etc
My daughter gets cleats, uniform, bags, etc., but they don’t always fit her Princess tastes (or her wide feet) so she buys her own cleats and running shoes. Doesn’t have to, but just wants what she wants. Team provided sticks, trainers provide tape, DD gets her own pre-wrap.
Some parents do sent food or provide it at/after games. This year one family provided Easter Baskets for a road trip as a surprise. No request to do so. No ‘team mom’ (we’re in college now!)
It is a little different in D2 as she is getting scholarship money, so I feel it’s a bargain compared to what I was paying in high school and club even if I have to buy cleats or khaki shorts. My other daughter plays club hockey at college and although she does pay a participation fee, it is subsidized by the school and a lot cheaper than when she played in grade/middle/high school.