Breaking Barriers: Women’s College Wrestling Opens New Scholarship Opportunities for Female Student-Athletes

Opportunities for female student-athletes are expanding in the realm of collegiate athletics, with sports like women’s college wrestling leading the charge. Traditionally reserved for male student-athletes, wrestling is now offered at 150 colleges and universities in North America. It has become a catalyst for increasing opportunities for female student-athletes, with scholarships playing a pivotal role in their journey.

Women’s wrestling is on track to become the sixth sport to offer Men’s and Women’s NCAA championship status through the Emerging Sports for Women program, joining rowing (1996), ice hockey (2000), water polo (2000), bowling (2003), beach volleyball (2015), and acrobatics & tumbling (2020).

The NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics has recommended to Divisions I, II, and III to sponsor legislation for a national collegiate women’s wrestling championship. Each division is expected to sponsor a proposal for the 2024-25 legislative cycle and vote on the proposals before or during the 2025 NCAA Convention. If adopted, the first women’s wrestling championship would be held in winter 2026.

Shifting Paradigms: The Rise of Women’s College Wrestling:

In 1972, a landmark federal law called Title IX banned sex-based discrimination in federally funded education. Before Title IX, it was common practice to require women to earn higher GPAs and test scores to be admitted to college, women were excluded from taking courses like mechanics and calculus, and in athletics medical doctors believed participating in sports could cause infertility. As a result of Title IX, more and more colleges added women’s athletics programs to their already thriving programs that were exclusively available to male students. Women’s college wrestling is gaining popularity, giving female student-athletes another chance to compete and receive athletic scholarships.

Navigating NCAA Eligibility: The Balancing Act of Athletics and Academics

To compete and receive an athletic scholarship as a women’s wrestler, student-athletes must navigate the requirements set by the NCAA Eligibility Center to maintain their eligibility status. The NCAA Core GPA, calculated based on grades earned in NCAA-approved Core Courses, serves as a cornerstone for student-athletes aspiring to compete in Division I and Division II sports.

Emerging Athletic Scholarships Increase College Opportunities

Scholarships for women’s college wrestling aren’t just about money—they’re about opening doors to education and creating pathways to success.

With 42 NAIA schools, 68 NCAA DII/DIII programs, and 14 NJCAA programs offering women’s wrestling programs, these scholarships serve as vital stepping stones to increased college opportunities. They provide female student-athletes with the financial support they need to pursue higher education while competing in a sport they love.

Honest Game Counselors are here to help take the guesswork out of academic eligibility and are available to provide one-on-one assistance to support student-athletes navigating post-secondary opportunities athletically and academically. Schedule a time to meet virtually with our experts.

By Courtney Rickard, Honest Game Director of Academics and Compliance
As a former Senior Associate Athletic Director at the NCAA Division I level and with more than 20 years of experience in collegiate athletics, Courtney has advised thousands of student-athletes through the college recruiting and eligibility process for college sports. Interested in virtual counseling with Courtney? Sign up here.