Andrew Pace
Badminton is not a popular college sport in the US, where it is often considered a backyard game for children. However, some colleges have badminton clubs and intramurals, and there are national-level badminton competitions. There are also some scholarships available for badminton players, such as the Indian Oil Sports Scholarship and the Olympic Scholarship for Athletes. Colleges with badminton clubs include NYU, Penn, Cornell, Duke, Purdue, UPenn, Princeton, MIT, Yale, UC schools, Northeastern, and Boston College.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Popularity in the US | Not very popular; considered a children's game |
| College/university sports programs in the US | Not common; not an NCAA emerging sport |
| Scholarships | Available in New Zealand, Australia, and India; some US schools offer scholarships for elite players |
| College clubs | Some colleges have strong badminton clubs, including St. Catherine University |
| Tournaments | US Adult National Badminton Championships |
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What You'll Learn
Badminton in the US is often considered a child's game, unlike squash and tennis
Badminton is a popular backyard sport in the United States, often played by children with their families as they are growing up. It is a safe, non-contact sport that is suitable for children as it requires less lateral motion than most sports and does not put an extreme load on ligaments and joints. It is also an energy-intensive sport that has a positive effect on the heart, blood vessels, and respiratory organs. Playing badminton can also help children develop their focus and attention, as they must monitor shuttlecocks that move at different speeds.
However, badminton is also played at a competitive level by adults, and there are several badminton clubs and recreational centers in the US. Some colleges in San Francisco, such as CCSF, have badminton teams and host tournaments. Additionally, there are scholarships available for badminton student-athletes in the US, such as the Olympic Scholarship for Athletes offered by the USA Badminton Association.
Despite the popularity of badminton among children and the existence of competitive adult players and college teams, badminton is not as widely recognized as a varsity sport in US colleges and universities compared to sports like squash and tennis. This may be because squash was historically considered a "gentleman's game," while badminton was seen as a casual backyard game for children.
The perception of badminton as a child's game in the US differs from its reputation in other parts of the world, such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and India, where it is considered a popular and competitive sport. In these countries, badminton athletes can access prestigious scholarships and financial support for their sporting achievements.
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Badminton clubs and teams at colleges in the US
In the US, badminton is often considered a casual game for children, rather than a competitive sport. Despite this, there are a number of colleges with strong badminton clubs and teams, particularly for women.
One college with a prominent badminton presence is the City College of San Francisco (CCSF). According to a Reddit user, CCSF has women's intercollegiate badminton teams, as well as classes, meaning there is badminton being played for much of the day. Additionally, CCSF's location in San Francisco means it benefits from nearby badminton clubs and rec-centers, making it easy to find a game at any time.
Another college with a notable badminton offering is St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota, which has a strong badminton club.
Beyond individual colleges, there are also intercollegiate badminton competitions. For example, the 2004 U.S. Adult National Badminton Championships were hosted by LSU-Shreveport, and featured competitors such as Kevin Han and Howard Bach, the latter of whom competed in the 2004 Olympic Games.
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Badminton scholarships for student-athletes in the US
While badminton is not an NCAA-recognised sport in the US, there are still scholarship opportunities for student-athletes. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) dropped badminton as an Emerging Sport for Women in 2009, so you won't find scholarship programmes directly from the NCAA. However, some colleges and universities do have badminton clubs and competitive teams, and there is sometimes funding available for student-athletes.
Sources of Badminton Scholarships in the US
- Olympic Solidarity: This organisation distributes television revenue from the Olympic Games to National Olympic Committees (NOCs). All athlete members of the USA Badminton Association may apply for the Olympic Scholarship for Athletes. These scholarships are awarded in conjunction with a timeline of preparation for upcoming Olympic events.
- First Ever Foundation: This non-profit organisation provides college scholarships to US badminton athletes pursuing the sport at a professional or Olympic level.
- Individual Schools: Schools known for their badminton programmes include Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley, which both have highly competitive badminton clubs and have offered support to their athletes. This support may not always take the form of a traditional athletic scholarship.
- Local Badminton Clubs: Your local badminton club may be able to recommend institutes that support badminton players financially.
- National Competitions: Competing in national-level badminton competitions can help you get recognised as a qualified player. You can then market yourself to colleges as an upcoming player to secure scholarship money.
Increasing Your Chances of a Badminton Scholarship
To increase your chances of getting a badminton scholarship, it's important to combine athletic excellence with strong academic results. This makes you a more attractive candidate not only for athletic scholarships but also for academic scholarships. Remember to check with schools directly, as information on badminton scholarships can vary and change between schools. Consider the college's overall fit, including its academic programmes, campus culture, and location, to ensure a rich college experience that allows you to pursue your badminton passion.
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Badminton championships in the US
In the United States, badminton is often considered a casual backyard game for children and their families. However, the sport has gained some traction in colleges and at a national competitive level. The U.S. National Badminton Championships, organised by USA Badminton, is an annual tournament that began in Chicago in 1937. The tournament initially had a “closed” format, only open to US citizens and residents. However, in 1954, it opened up to foreign competitors, attracting the world's top players in the 1950s and 1960s. The tournament has been held in various locations, including Brentwood, New York, and California.
The U.S. Open Badminton Championships is another significant tournament in the US badminton landscape. It was first held in 1954 when the American Badminton Association allowed foreign competitors into the previously closed U.S. National Badminton Championships. The U.S. Open Badminton Championships has featured prominent players such as Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei, and the tournament has been hosted at different venues across California.
Badminton enthusiasts can also find opportunities to play at the college level. For instance, CCSF in San Francisco is known for its active badminton scene, with games being played throughout the day. Additionally, several colleges in Silicon Valley offer badminton teams and clubs, providing students with regular playing opportunities.
While badminton is not as prominent as other sports in US colleges and universities, there are still scholarship opportunities for talented badminton players. The NCAA previously recognised badminton as an Emerging Sport for Women, but this classification was dropped in 2009. However, elite scholarships for Olympians and programmes through individual schools are still available for aspiring badminton athletes. Olympic Solidarity, for instance, offers scholarships that provide financial assistance and training opportunities at Olympic centres. Additionally, students can explore study abroad options in countries where badminton is more prominent, such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and India, which offer their own badminton scholarships.
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Badminton as a college sport in other countries
Badminton is a popular sport in many countries, but its status as a college sport varies. In the United States, badminton is often considered a backyard sport, and it is not as prominent in college athletic programs as other sports like American football and basketball. However, some colleges with a significant Asian student population may have badminton clubs and intramural teams, and intercollegiate badminton competitions for women do exist. Athletic scholarships are available for student athletes who excel in sports like badminton, but these are determined by league caps, institution standards, and coach preferences.
In other countries, badminton's status as a college sport may differ. For example, in China, badminton is extremely popular, with over 100 million players. While there is limited information on badminton specifically within Chinese universities, the country boasts several competitive collegiate sports leagues in basketball, football, and marathon running. Given the sport's immense popularity, it would not be surprising to find badminton featured in some capacity in Chinese colleges.
In England, badminton is a popular sport, having been derived from the game of Poona, which British military personnel played while stationed in India. Rowing, cricket, and boat racing were the sports of focus in Victorian England's public schools, but it is unclear whether badminton is now more prevalent in universities.
Badminton is also popular in Wales, with the Governing Body for Badminton in Wales aiming to ensure the sport's inclusivity for all in the country. However, no specific information is available on its presence in Welsh colleges or universities.
Indonesia is the only country that has badminton as its national sport, with courts available across the nation. While this suggests a strong following, it is unclear if badminton is widely played in Indonesian colleges or universities.
New Zealand also has a relatively high number of badminton players for its population, and the sport is presented in some schools. However, it is uncertain if badminton is a prominent college sport there.
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Frequently asked questions
Badminton is not recognised as a college sport by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). However, some colleges and universities have badminton clubs and competitive teams, and there may be funding available for student athletes.
In the USA, badminton is often considered a casual game for children, unlike squash, which has historically been seen as a "gentleman's game".
Yes, while the NCAA does not offer scholarships for badminton, some individual colleges and universities with badminton teams may provide financial support to their athletes. Outside of the US, badminton is a popular college sport in countries like the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and India, which offer various scholarship programmes.
Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley, are known for their highly competitive badminton clubs and have offered support to their athletes in the past. Other colleges with strong badminton clubs include St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN, and Chengdu Sport University in China.
Badminton is a great form of physical exercise and entertainment for college students. It also requires fighting wisdom and bravery, making it a beneficial addition to the physical education curriculum at colleges and universities.
