Terms & Definitions

Championships

What is a championship?

In sports, a championship is a competition in which the aim is to decide which individual or team is the overall best at that sport. The championship is usually a final game played after a season of games or tournament of games, with each preceding game giving points, ranking status, or advancement status to an individual or team as better than the losing individual or team.

What championships are held in NCAA sports?

The NCAA sponsors championships in the following 37 sports: bowling, skiing, fencing, rifle, beach volleyball, men’s and women’s water polo, men’s and women’s ice hockey, wrestling, men’s and women’s indoor track, men’s and women’s outdoor track, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis, softball, rowing, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey, football, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, baseball, men’s and women’s ice hockey and men’s and women’s volleyball

What championships are held in NAIA sports?

The NAIA sponsors championships in the following 26 sports: men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s indoor track and field, men’s and women’s outdoor track and field, football, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s bowling, wrestling, competitive cheer, competitive dance, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and women’s lacrosse.

What championships are held in NJCAA sports?

The NJCAA sponsors championships in the following 26 sports: baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, beach volleyball, men’s and women’s bowling, men’s and women’s cross country, football, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s half marathon, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s track and field, women’s volleyball and wrestling.

What are the biggest championships in college sports?

The most notable championships in college athletics are The Final Four, College Football Playoff and the College World Series.

Do NCAA Division II and Division III sports have championships?

  • NCAA Division II sponsors championship in 37 sports which include: field hockey, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s indoor track, men’s and women’s outdoor track, football, wrestling, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s lacrosse, baseball, softball, rowing, men’s and women’s water polo, skiing, rifle, women’s ice hockey, fencing, bowling, men’s and women’s gymnastics, beach volleyball.
  • NCAA Division III sponsors championships in 37 sports which include: men’s and women’s volleyball, field hockey, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s indoor track and field, men’s and women’s outdoor track and field, men’s and women’s soccer, football, wrestling, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s ice hockey, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis, softball, baseball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, rowing, men’s and women’s water polo, skiing, rifle, fencing, bowling, men’s and women’s gymnastics, and beach volleyball.

Are championships and March Madness the same thing?

March Madness is synonymous with the NCAA Basketball tournaments, however the reference is specific to basketball. It is not used to refer to championship events in sports other than basketball.

Why do they call it “March Madness”?

March Madness is the term that has been coined to refer to the fervor and extreme fan interest that has developed around the NCAA basketball tournament.

How many teams are in March Madness?

The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball tournament includes a field of 68 teams. The Women’s Basketball tournament field included 64 teams.

Do student-athletes get paid to play in championships?

By rule, student-athletes cannot receive pay for play, however, it is permissible for student-athletes to receive gifts for their participation in post-season tournaments and bowl games.

LYLE ADAMS
Lyle Adams

SPRY'S FOUNDER. CEO &NCAA MEN'S SOCCER CHAMPION

Lyle was a member of the 2007 NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship team at Wake Forest. After embarking on a professional soccer career, Lyle transitioned to the tech industry, where he was one of the first 100 employees at Uber, designing platforms and tools for data consumers. Lyle also holds a Master’s in Sports Management from Columbia University.