All sports are not created equal, and the downside of this fact is evident in the number of scholarships awarded to various sports by the NCAA.

Track and field athletes at universities are hit especially hard. The most difficult part about the number of scholarships awarded to cross-country and track and field programs is these three sports are counted as one, and the scholarships are stretched thin.

"There used to be about 27-30 scholarships for track and field," said Craig Poole, Head Coach of BYU Women's Track and Field. "You need about 32-34 people for a full track team, and there are now only about 12.5 scholarships."

According to the NCAA website, cross-country and track are considered one sport by many colleges so coaches tend to give out more distance scholarships than field and sprints. This way, coaches are able to get more for their money.

Track and Field should be getting more, according to Scott Houle, UVSC Cross-Country/Track and Field Coach.

"It's an unfair way for the NCAA to give scholarships," Houle said. "There are 22 events, and not nearly enough scholarships for the whole team. One thing people don't realize is that three teams are on these 18 scholarships, where in other sports such as basketball, the numbers are more equal."

To compare running sports with other sports, the football team is awarded 85 scholarships for 102 players, and the NCAA awards Division I basketball teams with 13-15 scholarships for 16-19 players.

Although scholarships are matched with the amount of revenue each sport brings in to a school's program, the NCAA should consider revamping the process of awarding scholarships, perhaps based on the success of the team, said Sarah Lacey, a current member of the BYU Track and Field Team.

"Our record is good- for the past 20 years straight we haven't gone without a win in indoor or outdoor [events]," Lacey said. "We're always top in our conference. We're always competing very well and yet we are getting no scholarships."

"Most guys aren't even on scholarship and hardly anyone has a full ride," said Ryan Witt, a former BYU Track and Cross Country athlete.