Is college athletics for you?

So, you want to be a college athlete? Is Commonwealth University the place for you? That opens up three distinct opportunities — to be a Husky, a Mountie, or a Bald Eagle!

For prospective student-athletes and their families, participating in NCAA Division I or Division II means preparing for an experience that extends far beyond competition. Student-athletes must meet NCAA academic eligibility requirements (which vary by division) through the completion of approved high school coursework, earning the required GPA, graduating on time, and registering with the NCAA Eligibility Center to receive academic and amateurism certification. Athletically, prospects should actively engage in the recruiting process by communicating with college coaches (who make the final decisions on who joins their sport and team). 

This step is extremely important, and the prospect must be able to share academic and athletic information, offering an opportunity for a coach to evaluate the prospect’s athletic ability. Another key step in the process is completing the college admission application and the financial aid process. Academically, there are often scholarships based on GPA, class rank, and major, so it is important to apply early to ensure the application is in the queue for admissions and financial aid professionals to review and prepare any academic aid offerings.

Student-athletes play a vital role on a college campus. They represent their institutions with integrity, contribute to campus culture, and serve as visible leaders both in and out of competition. 

Equally important, student-athletes play a vital role on a college campus. They represent their institutions with integrity, contribute to campus culture, and serve as visible leaders both in and out of competition. This role is especially central at the NCAA Division II level, where the NCAA’s philosophy of "Life in the Balance" emphasizes a holistic college experience. Division II student-athletes are encouraged to fully engage in academics, athletics, and meaningful campus and community involvement. 

Through service projects, leadership opportunities, and strong connections with faculty and peers, student-athletes help strengthen the bond between the university and its surrounding community. For Division II institutions, student-athletes are not only competitors but also scholars, leaders, and ambassadors who enhance the educational mission and community impact of the college experience.

For Division II institutions, student-athletes are not only competitors but also scholars, leaders, and ambassadors.

From a competition standpoint, student-athletes at Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield have multiple opportunities to participate in intercollegiate athletics across the regular season, postseason (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference [PSAC]), and NCAA championship play, with the scope and emphasis varying by division. During the regular season, Division I and Division II student-athletes compete in conference and non-conference contests that are governed by NCAA sport-specific playing and practice seasons. These competitions form the foundation of the student-athlete experience, providing consistent opportunities for development, team identity, and campus engagement throughout the academic year.

Following the regular season, PSAC postseason opportunities expand through conference tournaments/championships, many of which serve as qualifiers for NCAA championships. At both Division I and Division II institutions, conference postseason play is a critical stage where teams compete for automatic bids while also gaining regional or national visibility. Championship events often draw significant campus and community attention, reinforcing the role student-athletes play as representatives of their institutions. Bloomsburg offers Division I wrestling, which participates in the Mid-American Conference (MAC); Lock Haven sponsors wrestling (MAC) and field hockey (Atlantic 10) in NCAA Division I; and Mansfield competes in the Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL) for sprint football.

Academic opportunities at Commonwealth University offer programs that are a central part of the student-athlete experience and align closely with the division’s philosophy of "Life in the Balance."

At the highest level of competition, qualified teams and individuals advance to NCAA championships, where Division I and Division II student-athletes compete against the best programs in the country. Division I championships tend to feature a larger national footprint, extensive media exposure, and highly competitive tournament fields. Division II championships, while equally rigorous, reflect the division’s emphasis on balance, access, and regional representation, allowing a broad range of institutions to compete at the national level. Across both divisions, these participation opportunities provide student-athletes with meaningful competitive experiences while reinforcing their broader role as scholars, leaders, and contributors to campus life.

Academic opportunities at Commonwealth University offer programs that are a central part of the student-athlete experience and align closely with the division’s philosophy of "Life in the Balance." Division II institutions emphasize education as the primary purpose of the college experience, encouraging student-athletes to fully engage in the classroom while competing at a high athletic level. Many Division II schools are regional universities with strong teaching missions, smaller class sizes, and greater access to faculty, allowing student-athletes to build meaningful relationships with professors and receive personalized academic support — which is exactly what you will find at your new home in the Commonwealth family while at Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, or Mansfield.

Our student-athletes have access to a wide range of academic programs and high-impact learning opportunities, including undergraduate research, internships, service-learning, and study abroad options that can often be integrated into a student-athlete’s athletic schedule. Academic support services — such as tutoring, advising, study halls, and learning specialists — are available and designed to help student-athletes develop time-management, study, and professional skills that extend beyond graduation. Importantly, our athletic schedules are structured to reduce excessive travel and missed class time, reinforcing the division’s commitment to academic success.

Through this balanced approach, our programs prepare student-athletes not only to graduate but to thrive professionally and personally. 

Through this balanced approach, our programs prepare student-athletes not only to graduate but to thrive professionally and personally. Student-athletes graduate with degrees, leadership experience, and strong connections to faculty, peers, and communities, which position them for success in careers, graduate school, and lifelong civic engagement.
So, again, you want to be a college athlete? Commonwealth University is the place for you! Join us to be a Husky, a Mountie, or a Bald Eagle!

Start by contacting one of the coaches in each athletic department, as the prospect or the supporter, to begin the journey: Bloomsburg Athletics | Lock Haven Athletics | Mansfield Athletics