Recruiting Supply & Demand

Recruiting is math and the math doesn't always add up to Division I

“I have to say, at some point in every swimmer’s mind they are saying D1 is the only division worthy. Then as the recruiting process happens and they see what’s out there—school, team culture, financial aid—they start seeing the big picture.” - Parent

I always start recruiting talks with the same joke: “If I could swim in college, ANYONE can swim in college.” As a 1:06 breaststroker, I still found a school where I thrived, swam four years, and developed a lifelong love for the sport.

College swimming has changed since then, but the core challenge remains: supply and demand — limited roster spots and thousands of athletes chasing them. The competition, especially at the Division I level, has never been tougher. Yet many swimmers miss out simply because they overlook the full range of opportunities available.

Today, nearly 600 colleges sponsor swimming, each offering athletes the chance to compete, grow, and experience the lifelong benefits of college sports. Those opportunities are still out there — it just takes a little more work to find the right fit.

This month we turn our attention to roster math, talk about why some coaches are happy about roster limits and forecast some commitment trends for the Fall.

The Supply: College Roster Spots

Across NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, plus the NAIA, roughly 581 colleges and universities sponsor swimming, together supporting over 22,000 athletes, of which roughly 6,400 are freshmen. On the surface, that looks like thousands of opportunities for motivated athletes. But those opportunities aren’t spread evenly. Division I coaches report recruiting about 7 women and 6 men per program, Division II about 8 each, and NAIA and Division III typically 8–12 per team.