Junior colleges are a two-year post-secondary school that provide academic, vocational and professional education. The highest degree offered by Junior Colleges is an associate's degree, although it's common for many junior college students to continue their education at a four year university or college. The term Junior Colleges is used interchangeably with Community Colleges.

Some Junior Colleges also offer college athletics.  A talented player who would not meet the academic or athletic standards of a major college program may be able to play for two years in Junior College, establishing an academic record in the process, and then transfer to the major college.

The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) regulates intercollegiate athletics of community colleges. It's the community college/junior college counterpart of the NCAA, which oversees athletics at four-year institutions. The organization's goal is to promote athletics as a valuable component of the educational experience at community colleges. The NJCAA has 530 member colleges participating in 15 men's and 13 women's sports. There are 50 national championships and nine football bowl games.

Junior College students have an opportunity to participate in numerous intercollegiate sports. Presently, the following sports are sanctioned by the NJCAA:

• Basketball
• Bowling
• Cross Country
• Golf
• Track & Field (including indoor)
• Lacrosse
• Soccer
• Swimming & Diving
• Tennis
• Baseball & Softball
• Football
• Ice Hockey (men only)
• Wrestling (men only)
• Volleyball (women only)

There are other organizations that govern two-year colleges:

• CCCAA
• NWAACC