Can I Be an Engineer and an Athlete?

It’s one of the most common—and most misunderstood—questions in the recruiting process. The short answer: yes, but it’s extremely difficult. This article profiles a mechanical engineering major and D1 swimmer at UC Berkeley, to show just how challenging the path can be.

From inflexible class schedules and cross-country travel to limited academic support, her experience highlights what it really takes to succeed in both worlds. The article also explores why some student-athletes may thrive more at Division III STEM-focused schools, where academic support is stronger and travel demands are lighter.

In a major development for college sports, Judge Claudia Wilken has approved the $2.8 billion House v. NCAA settlement, opening the door for future revenue-sharing with student-athletes. While the decision is a win for athletes seeking backpay, it also raises major legal and policy questions—especially about the NCAA’s power and how college sports might change in the future.

This article breaks down what the settlement means, what issues are still unresolved, and what counselors and student-athletes should watch for next.

Exciting News: We’re Presenting at HECA 2025 in San Antonio!

We’re thrilled to share that the Student-Athlete Advisors team will be presenting at the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA) Annual Conference this summer in San Antonio!

📅 Session Title: College Coach Perspectives: What Consultants Need to Know
🕐 Date & Time: Wednesday, June 11 @ 1:30 PM
📍 Location: HECA 2025 Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX

In this session, we’ll explore what college coaches really look for during the recruiting process — beyond highlight reels and athletic stats. Drawing on our own experiences as former college athletes, coaches, and admissions professionals, we’ll walk through what consultants should understand about how recruitment timelines differ by sport, how coaches assess character and fit, and how academic profiles factor into scholarship decisions.

Whether you work with athletes regularly or just occasionally advise students considering college sports, this session will offer insights to help you support them more confidently and effectively.

We hope to see you there!

If you're working with high school athletes who hope to play in college, understanding NCAA eligibility rules is a must. But the academic side of the process can get overlooked — or misunderstood — until it’s too late.

In our latest post, we break down the core course requirements, GPA expectations, and the all-important 10/7 rule for Division I eligibility. Even if your students aren’t aiming for a D1 program, these are the gold-standard benchmarks that will keep every pathway open.

Read the full post to learn what to watch for, how to help students plan, and why aiming for D1 eligibility is a smart move — even if they end up elsewhere.

Robbie Church served as the Duke Women’s Soccer Head Coach from 2001 to 2024 (24 seasons), transforming the program into a national powerhouse with four NCAA College Cup appearances and three ACC regular-season titles. Over his 39-year collegiate coaching career, he amassed nearly 500 wins, was named ACC Coach of the Year three times, and helped launch numerous players into professional and international soccer careers. He concluded his final season at Duke with a record-breaking campaign, earning the program’s first-ever No. 1 overall NCAA Tournament seed.