Over the past few days, I have been looking into this issue for obvious reasons. A very important consideration is REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS.
It was then surprising to me to read this timely article in the New York Times.
The graphics are particularly useful. Ice hockey seems to be hot in regards to scholarships.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/sp...rships.html?hp
According to their investigation:
In Div I and II, there are:
777 HS boys participating in the sport
48 receive scholarships divided among
127 male fencers (partial scholarships are the rule)
$1.4 million is the cost
38% is the average of a full scholarship (as compared to 69% FB, 79% BB)
$10,814 is the yearly value per recipient
641 HS girls participating in the sport
81 receive scholarships divided among
176 female fencers (partial scholarships are the rule)
$2.1 million is the cost
46% is the average of a full scholarship (as compared to 80% gym, 78% BB)
$12,040 is the yearly value per recipient
http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/20..._GRAPHIC2.html
Food for thought!
EDIT:
The bottom of the figure indicates that the data for NCAA and for HS is based on Freshman to Senior data - 4 year data (for all sports) from 2003-4.
Based on JOs, taking 25% of the divisions to attend, my estimate of the number of competitive fencers is much higher than indicated in the thread - closer to 5000 HS fencers.