Guydeguyde blog
Playing Sports at Community College: What to Know
January 24, 2026 • 4 min read
There is a misconception that competitive sports end after high school unless you were recruited D1. At a community college like SMC, that couldn't be further from the truth.
In fact, athletics can be a "backdoor" into transferring. Being a student-athlete (even at the community college level) signals discipline, time management, and resilience—qualities that admissions officers at USC and UCLA covet.
Whether you want to play Varsity for the SMC Corsairs, join a club team, or just stay fit while grinding through Calculus 1, this guide covers the levels of play available to you.
📌 SMC Athletics Resources
- SMC Corsairs Official Site
Schedules, rosters, and coach contact info for Varsity teams. - Kinesiology Class Schedule
Look here for "KIN PE" classes if you just want to play for credit. - Student Health Center
Required for physicals if you plan to compete.
1. Varsity Athletics: The "Recruit" Experience
SMC competes in the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA). This is legitimate, high-level competition. The football team sends players to D1 schools every year. The volleyball and soccer teams are often regionally ranked.
How to join (Walk-ons):
Unlike D1 universities where rosters are locked years in advance, community college rosters turn over every 2 years. Coaches need bodies.
The Cold Email Strategy
Find the coach's email on the SMC Corsairs directory. Send them this email in May/June:
"Hi Coach [Last Name], I'm an incoming freshman attending SMC this Fall. I played 3 years of Varsity Water Polo at [High School] as a wing. I'm 6'1" and swim a [Time]. I'd love the opportunity to try out for the team or join any summer conditioning sessions."
Most coaches will reply inviting you to a summer "class" (usually a Varsity Conditioning course) which serves as the tryout.
2. Kinesiology Classes: The "Hidden" Teams
If you don't have 20 hours a week to commit to Varsity (because you are taking Chem 11 and Math 8), Kinesiology classes are the best secret on campus.
Look in the schedule for:
- KIN PE 10 (Fitness Lab): Effectively a gym membership with credit.
- KIN PE 9B (Intermediate Tennis): You play matches against other students.
- KIN PE 56B (Intermediate Soccer): Pickup soccer games, but graded.
Why this matters for transfer: Taking one KIN class every semester shows you prioritize health and balance. It adds a "human" element to a transcript full of STEM classes. Plus, these classes are often 1-unit grade boosters (Easy A's) that can pad your GPA slightly.
3. Club Sports: A Happy Medium
Club sports sit between Varsity and PE. They are student-run organizations that compete against other colleges but without the intense CCCAA regulations.
Popular club sports often include Ultimate Frisbee, Rugby, and increasingly, eSports.
Because they are clubs, you can also get leadership experience. Being the "President of the Climbing Club" means you are organizing trips to Joshua Tree, managing waivers, and handling budgets. That is "leadership" on a resume, even if it feels like just hiking with friends.
4. The Transfer "Hook"
If you do play Varsity, you get a massive boost. Student-Athletes have some of the highest transfer rates because universities know they can handle pressure.
If you are writing your essay, focus on the Time Management aspect.
"Managing the demands of defensive line schematics while mastering Organic Chemistry taught me that every minute of the day must be budgeted."
This is a compelling narrative that sets you apart from the student who just went to class and went home.
Back to Student Guides.