Future College Student-Athlete

About Future College Student-Athlete

Welcome to The Future College Student-Athlete Podcast. My name is David, I help HS Student-Athletes that have the dream of becoming Future College Student-Athletes. Here I try to answer all those nagging questions that you and your family have about discovering your ideal colleges, applying to them, affording them and how to take control of your own athletic recruiting journey. I want you and your family to navigate all this with less stress and more joy.

Publisher

David Wingard

Category

education · kids & family · sports

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

28 Jul 2026

Latest episode

20 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

13 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Oct 2026

   Should You Consider NAIA Schools On Your College Recruiting List

   Learn about my Recruiting Process 1-on-1 Advising Package - https://www.davidwingard.com/recruiting-process-1-on-1 (https://www.davidwingard.com/recruiting-process-1-on-1) Book a free 20 minute intro call with David to discuss your family's college journey - https://www.davidwingard.com/ (https://www.davidwingard.com/) Most high school student-athletes get a little tunnel vision as they are considering where to play college sports. They tend to focus on all the well known, NCAA Division I colleges that they see on tv. In the last couple of weeks we have looked at NCAA Division II and III as options for you to explore when it comes to building your athletic recruiting list and your college list. This week we take a look at NAIA colleges and explore whether you should consider some of them on your college list also. Over these three episodes we have talked about 1,000 college options that you may not have considered before as a student-athlete. In this episode I share an overview and some of the things you should consider when evaluating NAIA colleges as an option for your recruiting and college lists. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and context of the conversation 00:27 Purpose of this episode, should you consider NAIA colleges 01:10 My personal experience competing against NAIA programs 02:55 How a student-athlete can work 1-on-1 with me on their recruiting 03:36 NAIA overview - 230+ schools across 35 states 06:34 Cal Baptist transition from NAIA to NCAA D2 to NCAA D1 07:34 Finding your athletic fit at the D2 level 09:14 Campus locations of NAIA schools 10:26 NAIA balance between academics, athletics and leadership 12:02 Recruiting advantages of NAIA athletic programs 13:44 Athletic scholarships at NAIA colleges 15:35 Drawbacks of considering NAIA schools 17:30 Episode wrap up on last 3 episodes, 1,000 schools to explore

2. 

   13 Oct 2026

   Should You Consider NCAA Division 2 Schools For Your College Recruiting List

   Learn about my Recruiting Process 1-on-1 Advising Package - https://www.davidwingard.com/recruiting-process-1-on-1 (https://www.davidwingard.com/recruiting-process-1-on-1) Book a free 20 minute intro call with David to discuss your family's college journey - https://www.davidwingard.com/ (https://www.davidwingard.com/) Most high school student-athletes get a little tunnel vision as they are considering where to play college sports. They tend to focus on all the well known, NCAA Division I colleges that they see on tv. Just like last week's episode where we discussed Division III, this week we are diving into the world of Division II and whether you as a student-athlete should consider D2 schools when building your recruiting list. Casting a wide net as you reach out to coaches can help you define not only your athletic fit, but also help you explore more colleges as a whole. In this episode I share an overview and some of the things you should consider when evaluating NCAA Division 2 colleges as an option for your recruiting and college lists. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and context of the conversation 00:24 Purpose of this episode, should you consider NCAA Division II 01:02 How a student-athlete can work 1-on-1 with me on their recruiting 01:45 My experience coaching at the NCAA Division 2 level 02:36 NCAA D2 overview - 300+ schools across 44 states 03:58 NCAA D2 in California public and private colleges and leagues 01:38 Finding your athletic fit at the D2 level 07:50 Finding your lifestyle fit at Division 2's many diverse campuses 10:37 Finding your academic fit at the D2 level 12:59 Division II athletic scholarships and affordability 16:02 What are some downsides of Division II? 18:44 Do your due diligence to research athletic program budgets 21:00 Episode wrap up on creating a diverse recruiting list

3. 

   6 Oct 2026

   Should You Consider NCAA Division 3 Colleges as a Student Athlete

   Learn about my Recruiting Process 1-on-1 Advising Package - https://www.davidwingard.com/recruiting-process-1-on-1 (https://www.davidwingard.com/recruiting-process-1-on-1) Book a free 20 minute intro call with David to discuss your family's college journey - https://www.davidwingard.com/ (https://www.davidwingard.com/) Most high school student-athletes get a little tunnel vision as they are considering where to play college sports. They tend to focus on all the well known, NCAA Division I colleges that they see on tv. A lot of them are not aware that the biggest NCAA Division is actually Division III. Over 200,000 student-athletes play at the D3 level, so learning more about the opportunities in D3 can help student-athletes weight the benefits and the drawbacks as they develop their own college recruiting campaigns and build their final college application lists. In this episode I share an overview and some of the things you should consider when evaluating NCAA Division 3 colleges as an option for your recruiting and college lists. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and context of the conversation 00:25 Purpose of this episode, should you consider NCAA Division III 01:50 An overview of NCAA Division III 05:52 NCAA Division III is student-athlete focused, balanced approach 07:53 What does an NCAA Division III college campus look like 11:31 High level sports at the D3 level, finding your athletic fit 13:11 Is no athletic scholarships actually a drawback of Division 3? 16:32 Some drawbacks to consider, size, activities, big sports events 19:15 Episode wrap up and how to learn more

4. 

   29 Sept 2026

   How To Decide If The Community College Pathway to a 4 Year College is a Good Fit For You

   Learn about my Recruiting Process 1-on-1 Advising Package - https://www.davidwingard.com/recruiting-process-1-on-1 (https://www.davidwingard.com/recruiting-process-1-on-1) Book a free 20 minute intro call with David to discuss your family's college journey - https://www.davidwingard.com/ (https://www.davidwingard.com/) One of the pathways to a 4 year degree for both students and student-athletes is the community college pathway. There are a number of factors to consider as you decide if this may be a good option for you and your family. The pathway you choose to a 4 year college takes into consideration your academics, athletics, affordability and lifestyle choices. While attending a community college may not be for everyone, exploring the benefits and drawbacks of this pathway can help you decide if it's right for you. In this episode I share some of the benefits and the drawbacks you need to consider as you decide if the community college pathway to a 4 year college is right for you and your family. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and context of the conversation 00:24 Purpose of this episode, the community college pathway 01:33 The UC TAG program - Transfer Admissions Guarantee 04:38 My student-athlete pathway to an NCAA D3 private college 06:24 Giving yourself an academic second chance for admissions 09:58 Are you mature enough to leave the nest right after high school 11:11 An opportunity for student-athletes to develop for recruitment 15:28 Social aspects of delaying a 4 year college 17:22 The impact on your NCAA eligibility at community college 18:36 Delaying your enrollment at a prestigious college 19:40 Episode wrap-up, weighing the positives and drawbacks 20:40 How to ask me more questions about your college journey

5. 

   22 Sept 2026

   Common Mistakes HS Student Athletes Make With Their Recruiting Outreach To College Coaches

   Learn about my Recruiting Process 1-on-1 Advising Package - https://www.davidwingard.com/recruiting-process-1-on-1 (https://www.davidwingard.com/recruiting-process-1-on-1) Book a free 20 minute intro call with David to discuss your family's college journey - https://www.davidwingard.com/ (https://www.davidwingard.com/) Most HS Student-Athletes aren't sure about how to go about reaching out to college coaches, so they tend to make some common mistakes. Taking control of your own athletic recruiting journey involves strategic outreach to coaches in order to breakthrough all the noise, grab their attention and get on their radar. Getting recruited to play sports in college isn't about luck or sitting around waiting to get noticed by college coaches. In fact the majority of college student-athletes where not the highly recruited, full scholarship athletes you see on tv. The majority had to work at their recruiting journey, so they could pursue their vision of becoming a Future College Student-Athlete! In this episode I share some of the most common mistakes I see HS student-athletes make in their recruiting outreach to college coaches. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and context of the conversation 00:26 Purpose of this episode, common mistakes in recruiting outreach 01:02 The mistake of starting their recruiting outreach too late 01:58 The recruiting funnel is like a sales funnel 04:31 Starting recruiting outreach too early can be a mistake too 07:50 How you can work 1-on-1 with me on your recruiting process 08:40 The mistake of not developing a balanced recruiting list 10:53 The mistake of not formatting your initial outreach email correctly 13:25 The mistake of not being consistent in your outreach follow-up 15:48 Episode wrap-up and resources in description

6. 

   15 Sept 2026

   Should You Submit Test Scores With Your College Applications? Clearing Up SAT/ACT Testing Confusion

   Sign up for my free webinar on Planning College Affordability for Student-Athletes - https://www.davidwingard.com/registration-page (https://www.davidwingard.com/registration-page) Book a free 20 minute intro call with David to discuss your family's college journey - https://www.davidwingard.com/ (https://www.davidwingard.com/) There is a lot of confusion about submitting SAT or ACT test scores with your college applications. Some colleges are test required, some test blind and what about the majority of schools that are test optional. In fact most students and their families are confused about what test optional even means. With so many changes in the testing policies of college admissions, you may find yourself wondering if you should take the SAT or ACT and if you do, if you should submit your scores with your college applications? In this episode I share the history behind all the testing confusion, what the current trends are and how your family can decide what is the best path for your testing efforts. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and context of the conversation 00:26 The purpose of this episode, clearing up testing confusion 01:06 What is all the confusion about college admissions policies 06:48 The history behind the change to test optional and test blind 08:27 Current trends in college admissions test policies 12:15 How to make a personal decision on taking the SAT or ACT 12:54 My recommendation to families that I work with 14:58 Episode wrap-up and resources in description

7. 

   8 Sept 2026

   How To Get Complete Clarity On Your College Journey

   Sign up for my free webinar on Planning College Affordability for Student-Athletes - https://www.davidwingard.com/registration-page (https://www.davidwingard.com/registration-page) Book a free 20 minute intro call with David to discuss your family's college journey - https://www.davidwingard.com/ (https://www.davidwingard.com/) Most High School student-athletes don't have a clear vision for their own personal college journey. They may have a vague idea of what they want from college, where they may want to go, what college experience they want for themselves. They may have a general concept for how they want their college application process or their athletic recruiting process to go, but they don't have complete clarity on all the details of their college journey. That is why it's so powerful for High School students to develop their own clear vision for their college journey! In this episode I share a really powerful exercise that will help High School students develop a clear vision for themselves as they move through each step in their college journey. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and context of the conversation 00:25 The purpose of this collaborative episode 01:24 What happens if you don't have your own vision 02:23 A powerful exercise to get clarity on your college journey 04:35 Where will you be in 3 years 05:11 The details of your own college vision 06:32 How HS students can explore their options for a clearer vision 08:42 How to turn your dreams into your vision 10:17 Areas students may put their time, energy and focus 11:17 Take action by going through the steps of the exercise 12:28 Episode wrap-up and resources in description

8. 

   1 Sept 2026

   Your Return on Investment of Becoming a College Student Athlete

   Sign up for my free webinar on Planning College Affordability for Student-Athletes - https://www.davidwingard.com/registration-page (https://www.davidwingard.com/registration-page) Book a free 20 minute intro call with David to discuss your family's college journey - https://www.davidwingard.com/ (https://www.davidwingard.com/) Most High School student-athlete and their families invest tons of time, money and energy into an athletic career, from early youth league years all the way through high school. It's easy to understand why they sometimes focus on earning a college athletic scholarship as the return on their investment throughout all those years. Unfortunately college athletic scholarships aren't every HS varsity student-athlete will earn. So what's the payoff for all those years of investment in their athletic career? In this episode I share the actual chances of playing sports at the college level and the chances of earning an athletic scholarship. While the chances for that return aren't great, I will share the returns that families should focus on, that are even greater payoffs than a scholarship can be. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and context of the conversation 00:39 The purpose of this collaborative episode 02:37 The actual NCAA numbers when it comes to athletic scholarships 05:31 Free webinar on planning for college affordability 06:05 The real return on investment of being a student-athlete 06:57 Gallup poll results on college athletes vs non-athletes 08:10 College student-athletes have built in community on day one 09:31 How a student-athlete's time management skills last a lifetime 11:01 Student-athlete accountability and leadership skills 12:12 Support systems available for college student-athletes 13:22 How a professional network can help a student-athlete succeed 15:25 Being a HS student-athlete can strengthen college applications 16:51 Additional options for a college student-athlete career 18:09 Episode wrap-up and resources in description

9. 

   25 Aug 2026

   Changes To NCAA Division 1 and 2 That May Effect Your Recruiting Plans

   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and context of the conversation 00:30 The purpose of this collaborative episode 01:23 If you have more question you can book a call with me 01:54 What changes has the NCAA made for eligibility 04:16 What triggers the eligibility period to start 06:32 Exceptions to the NCAA Age Based eligibility rule 07:53 How it could effect you as a High School student-athlete 08:58 Confusion about the new rules 09:23 Resources for you to learn more are in the description below Sign up for my free webinar on Planning College Affordability for Student-Athletes - https://www.davidwingard.com/registration-page (https://www.davidwingard.com/registration-page) Book a free 20 minute intro call with David to discuss your family's college journey - https://www.davidwingard.com/ (https://www.davidwingard.com/) NCCA Official. Eligibility Center - https://www.ncaa.org/eligibility-center/ (https://www.ncaa.org/eligibility-center/) Most High School student-athlete and their families haven't heard about the changes to the NCAA DI and DII eligibility rules. Even if they've heard about the new NCAA Age Based Eligibility period, they may be confused about the details and how if could affect them as they progress and plan their own recruiting journey. In this episode I share exactly what the NCCA Age Based Eligibility rules are, why the NCAA made the changes, what triggers the eligibility period to begin and things to consider as you plan your recruiting journey.

10. 

    18 Aug 2026

    What To Focus On Your Freshman and Sophomore Years of High School as a Student Athlete

    Sign up for my free webinar on Planning College Affordability for Student-Athletes - https://www.davidwingard.com/registration-page (https://www.davidwingard.com/registration-page) Book a free 20 minute intro call with David to discuss your family's college journey - https://www.davidwingard.com/ (https://www.davidwingard.com/) Most High School student-athletes and their families feel pressure to chase exposure early in the high school career, feeling that if they aren't getting recruited in the Freshman and Sophomore years that they are somehow falling behind. Believe me when I tell you that you aren't falling behind and instead of focusing on chasing exposure, you should be setting the foundation for future success in your college recruiting and application journey. In this episode I share exactly what you should be focused on during your Freshman and Sophomore years of High School, in order to live out your dream of becoming a future college student-athlete. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and context of the conversation 00:29 The purpose of this collaborative episode 00:46 Sign up for my free webinar on planning for college affordability 01:28 Why your Freshman and Sophomore years' focus in important 02:58 Frosh-Soph focus on academics 04:53 Frosh-Soph focus on fundamental sports skills 06:11 Frosh-Soph focus on maintaining your joy in sports 07:59 Frosh-Soph focus on your physical skills and athleticism 09:30 Frosh-Soph focus on developing good habits 11:27 Frosh-Soph focus on the right things on your club teams 13:50 Frosh-Soph focus on establishing your support network 15:55 Conclusion and wrap up of the conversation

11. 

    11 Aug 2026

    Don't Let College Sticker Shock Scare You Away

    Chapters 00:00 Introduction and context of the conversation 00:30 The purpose of this collaborative episode 01:13 Correcting an error from last week's episode 03:32 How to get in touch with me and ask deeper questions 04:25 The inspiration behind this affordability episode 06:01 Real life story about a student-athlete's college search 08:25 Discovered an ideal college fit for her list - Emerson College 09:25 Sticker shock took Emerson College off the list 10:11 What I didn't know back then about college affordability 12:21 There are different paths to the same destination 14:10 The mistake I don't want your family making with college 15:01 Why I don't a free webinar on college affordability planning 15:48 Conclusion and wrap up of the conversation Sign up for my free webinar on Planning College Affordability for Student-Athletes - https://www.davidwingard.com/registration-page (https://www.davidwingard.com/registration-page) Book a free 20 minute intro call with David to discuss your family's college journey - https://www.davidwingard.com/ (https://www.davidwingard.com/ ) Most High School students and their families look at the sticker price of a college and make assumptions before they ever investigate if that is the price that they would have to pay. There are so many factors that go into the final cost of college for your family. I don't want you making the mistake of crossing a college off your list before you dig deeper and learn about your options. In this episode I share a real story of one of the student-athletes that I coached in high school. When helping her look at colleges to attend and to play sports, we made the mistake of looking no farther that the sticker price of a college. I want you to keep an open mind as you are building your ideal college profile and your college list, so you give yourself more options of where you can become a future college student-athlete!

12. 

    4 Aug 2026

    Learn The Critical Skillset That Can Make Your College Application and Athletic Recruiting Journeys Easier

    Most High School students totally overlook this critical skillset that can make their college application and athletic journey so much easier. One of my most valued skills throughout my career as a software sales professional, a coach and a teacher has been my ability to relate to others. It is a skill that you can develop, ever if you aren't completely comfortable at first. In this episode I break down how simple it can be for you as a HS student-athlete, to connect with the teachers, coaches, admissions reps and others that will help you along all the steps as you discover your ideal colleges, apply to them and take charge of your own recruiting journey. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and context of the conversation 00:36 The purpose of this collaborative episode 01:33 My experience in my professional sales career 05:05 People buy from people, people help people 05:29 Relating to people is a skill you can develop 06:22 People who can help you along your college journey 08:08 How to connect by finding things in common 08:30 Doing your homework on people 10:18 Asking questions to learn about people 12:30 Being observant to look for things in common with people 13:22 How connecting can make things easier for you Sign up for my free webinar on Planning College Affordability for Student-Athletes https://www.davidwingard.com/registration-page Book a free 20 minute intro call with David to discuss your family's college journey - https://www.davidwingard.com/ (https://www.davidwingard.com/)

13. 

    28 Jul 2026

    Develop Your Ideal College Profile with These 4 Categories of Fit

    Most High School students as they start thinking about where they might want to attend college, find themselves weighing hundreds of factors that fit into 3 categories. Student-athletes that want to continue playing sports in college have a 4th category that they need to consider. In this episode I break down the four categories that future college student-athletes should start considering, as they develop their own personal ideal college profile. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and context of the conversation 00:48 The purpose of this collaborative episode 01:02 The 4 categories of developing your ICP, Ideal College Profile 04:05 First category to consider is your Athletic College Fit 06:37 Story about a Division I recruit's experience 09:44 Second category to consider is your Lifestyle College Fit 13:33 Third category to consider is your Affordability College Fit 16:34 Forth category to consider is your Academic College Fit 19:14 Being aware of conflicts between your 4 categories of College Fit Sign up for my free webinar on Planning College Affordability for Student-Athletes -www.futurecollegestudentathlete.com/ (http://www.futurecollegestudentathlete.com/webinar)registration-page Book a free 20 minute intro call with David to discuss your family's college journey - https://calendly.com/davidwingard/20min (https://calendly.com/davidwingard/20min)

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