The NCAA's recent consideration of granting a fifth year of eligibility to all student-athletes could significantly impact college swimming, especially when viewed alongside the reduced roster sizes resulting from the House v. NCAA settlement.

College swimming coaches look for a combination of athletic talent, academic prowess, and personal qualities when recruiting swimmers for their programs. By far the two biggest factors are athletic performance followed closely by academic performance. But these alone are not determinative of whether a student-athlete gets an offer from a college coach.

The life of an NCAA Division I swimmer is characterized by an intense balance of athletic commitment and academic pursuits. A typical day for these student-athletes is highly structured and demanding, often beginning before sunrise and ending late in the evening. Here’s a closer look…

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is the primary governing body for collegiate sports in the United States, overseeing athletic programs at more than 1,000 colleges and universities. The NCAA is divided into three main divisions: Division I (DI), Division II (DII), and Division III (DIII). Each division has its own unique characteristics, rules, and philosophies regarding the balance between academics and athletics.