The designation is typically used at the collegiate level, although, beginning in 1957, high school athletes in football began being honored with All-American status, which then carried over to other sports like basketball and cross-country running.
The All-American terminology is primarily a demonym and is often used with regard to college and occasionally to high school players in the United States and its territories.
Likewise, there may also be a lower-tiered accolade referred to as honorable mention that is conferred upon non-team members of similar caliber in the same class.
[citation needed] The original use of the term "All-America" seems to have been in reference to a list of college football players who were regarded as the best at their respective positions.
Each year different sets of All-American teams are recognized toward consensus and unanimous selection recognition.
All-American honors are awarded to the top 10 archers in each division based on aggregate scores from the National Indoor and Intercollegiate Championships each year.
In NCAA men's gymnastics, all American status is awarded to the top 8 finishers in the national championship.
The Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) selects All-American teams annually at the end of every full racing season.
[12] In NCAA swimming and diving, athletes and relay teams who make the championship final (top eight) are considered First-Team All-Americans.
Athletes and relay teams that qualify for the consolation final (determines places 9–16) are considered Honorable Mention All-Americans.
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association annually selects men's and women's D-1 players with the following criteria SINGLES (denoted by 'S') 1.)
[18] In all NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, NCWA, and CCCAA divisions, the top 6 or 8 placers at the national championship tournament are considered All-Americans.
[19] At the high school level, noted All-America teams are selected by Parade magazine in football, and from 1957 to 2015 in basketball.
[23] The Offense-Defense All-American Bowl is held every January, featuring the 88 top-ranked high school seniors.
[27] In 2020, High School Football America began publishing an annual Academic All-America Team honoring thousands of student-athletes from around the nation.,[28]