Innovations in college track and field usually come from only a few well-known programs at the Division-I level.
Schools like Ohio State and Stanford have long been at the forefront of Olympic athlete development. The SEC's conference championship at the end of the year is usually a who's who of elite sprinters gearing up for a national title or an Olympic career. And of course, the University of Oregon has championed innovations in technology for athletes for over 50 years.
But recently, one Division III school is looking to innovate the way they discover track and field athletes from around the globe.
Earlham College Track & Field and Cross Country, two Division-III programs competing in the Heartland Collegiate Athletics Conference, have launched a Virtual Visit to find high school-age runners and athletes. The Quakers are the third Division-III track and field program to invite athletes to GMTM to submit information directly to coaches through the platform - joining Carnegie Mellon and Gallaudet.
Check out the Earlham Track & Field/Cross Country Virtual Visit or read about the online event below:
The links below are best viewed when you are signed into your profile. Click HERE to Sign In or Create Your Profile.
Look Inside Earlham's Athletic Programs
Within the Virtual Visit, the Earlham coaching staff leads you on a virtual tour of the athletic facilities . The Prospect Form activity also allows prospects to upload recruiting information directly to the coaches.
The tour of the Athletics and Wellness Center on Earlham's campus also help recruits from every corner of the nation see how student athletes train and interact on campus. An additional Highlight activity shows some of the most accomplished track and field athletes in Earlham's recent history and how the Quakers have fared in the HCAC.
Check out these activities for yourself HERE.
See Everything Earlham Academics Has To Offer
It's rare that recruits are able to see what life is like at a university without making an in-person campus visit. Within the Earlham Virtual Visit though, student athletes are able to see the academic buildings and take a tour of campus without leaving home.
The in-depth virtual tour includes The Classroom Experience at Earlham, which introduces athletes to the teacher-student relationship on campus. Earlham uses EPIC (or the Earlham Plan for Integrative Collaboration) to shape its teaching algorithm. Doing so greatly helps the students put together not only what they are personally passionate about but also incorporating their academic careers furthering you on to life opportunities in the future.
EPIC offers students multidisciplinary experiences that combine guided research opportunities, international education, and internships as well as academic centers devoted to entrepreneurship, global health, and social justice.
Additional activities within the Virtual Visit lead athletes through Earlham's Center for Science and Technology, the Runyan Center, and Earlham Hall.
Check Out The Community Around Earlham College
The Earlham College Virtual Visit doesn't end at the edge of campus. Located in Richmond, Indiana, Earlham College is surrounded by beautiful scenery and a vibrant small town that offers something for every type of student-athlete.
Within the Virtual Visit, athletes and parents can get a taste of everything Richmand has to offer. From the local restaurants to the local fans and outdoor activities, this activity is an awesome chance for runners to see where they will be spending their time off of the track.
How To Get Started
To start your Virtual Visit, head to the Virtual Visits page and find the Earlham College Cross Country/Track and Field Visit. Once there, you can begin the activities and upload your information for Earlham coaches in the Prospect Form Activity.
