Star players can be the big men or women on campus at any level, but those toiling in Division-III schools aren't likely to be noticed besides on their own campuses. Players for Div-I programs may get a little more fame since some games appear on national or regional TV, but they still aren't likely to become household names to anyone but diehard fans.

Player success at the collegiate level can lead to a lucrative professional career for the guys, most notably in the National Hockey League. Other pro options are available in Canada and Europe, and these are also the places where women are most likely to find chances to pay-for-play.

So you might want to take a foreign language class or two (especially if you're a woman). You know, just in case.