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Hopefully this page will help you with the college
recruiting process. It is full of important
information, but it is not a substitute for your own
work in this area. The reference
resource list is one of the most
important sections of this information. We encourage you to gather resources
from this list and study them well. Study the
schools as well, because there are no resources that can tell you
about every school. This information is a
beginning, not the end of your search for
opportunities in college.
Why are you interested
in playing soccer in college?
- It is the next level of the sport for you to
reach
- Scholarship money is available.
What are
the benefits of being a Student Athlete
- Your participation in soccer may make the
difference in just getting in.
- Athletes get early class registration,
allowing them to nearly always get the classes
they want.
- Graduating in 4-5 years vs. 5-6 years can
save you thousands of dollars.
- Athletic departments provide free academic
tutoring, helping you with your classes
- Fall athletes get first pick of the dorm
rooms, because they come to school early to
train.
Getting through high school and ready for college
can be an exciting, frustrating and gratifying time.
Being prepared for the journey will help you connect
with a college that is right for you! Your job is to
determine if you want to play soccer in college and
to learn of the differences in colleges and
universities that might help you fulfill that dream.
Today, colleges and coaches are looking for students
with more than athletic abilities. Without
considering athletic skills, the average admission
requirement at the University System is 3.5 and a
1200 SAT.
The average cost for a four-year college education
is $60,000 - $180,000. good reason to show that you
are talented!! Competition can be fierce, so
promoting & presenting yourself as a well-rounded
student-athlete can separate you from the other
player. There is a candidate waiting in the wings
that has academics, athletics and more. You can be
that candidate!! Start early!
To
get into the college of your choice you must:
- Prepare academically
- Show your soccer ability
- Complete all administrative paperwork on
time
- Develop contacts among potential coaches
- Follow-up on the contacts you make
- Choose the right college for you!
Emphasis on choosing the right college for you.
It is vitally important you choose a college that
provides you the school experience you want. It
doesn’t help anyone for you to get a great
scholarship to a school that doesn’t have the major
course of study you want, or isn’t a place where you
are happy.
Also, be aware that NCAA rules change from time
to time. Go to
www.ncaa.org to brush up on the latest rules.
Timeline of
Preparations
Freshman Year
Sophomore
Year
Junior Year
Senior Year
More Information
Communication Essentials
Club, ODP, High
School and Camps
What are
coaches looking for?
Recruiting
Basics
What does the
player need to know about the
College, Coach, Team and Scholarship options?
Online
Resources
Steps to Take
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Freshman Year
Academics
- Good grades are important - There are not
that many scholarships! Your grades and test
scores can make the difference. Maintain YOUR
highest grades throughout high school and show
admissions officers and potential coaches that
you are able to handle the demands of college
life. Keep your grades up starting in your
freshman year and you will benefit! Meet with
your counselor to plan your year.
- If you hope to go to a top academic
institution, it would be helpful to
take honors courses if you can handle the load.
Admission officers generally agree that getting
a B in a tough course is often more significant
than an A in a frivolous course. Take PSAT and
Practice ACT tests as they are offered to ensure
that you are prepared for the actual tests in
future years.
- Be sure that you begin to take courses that
will ultimately fulfill the requirements of the
NCAA. Speak with your counselor about
classes meeting NCAA requirements.
Visit the NCAA website to learn what courses are
required for Division I, Division II and
Division III schools. Consider NAIA schools as
well. Start to plan your classes accordingly.
The NCAA website is:
www.ncaa.org.
Call 800-638-3731 for free current copy of “NCAA
Guide for the College-bound Student Athlete” .
- Begin a resume of community service
activities, achievements, awards and academic
results. Update it periodically.
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Sophomore
Year
Athletic Exposure and Academic Emphasis
- Continue emphasis on the best grades
possible. If pursuing a top academic school,
take honors and AP courses if manageable. Meet
with your counselor to make sure you are on
track to take the 14-16 core courses (based on
graduation date) that are consistent with NCAA
requirements for Division I and Division II
schools. Many universities accept the NCAA
academic requirements (see NCAA guide).
- Take PSAT and Practice ACT, and
possibly some actual SAT II tests
following completion of certain courses (i.e.
biology, language, and math). Do not wait until
your senior year to take SAT II tests on courses
you had as a sophomore. Take them as you
complete the courses.
- Realistically consider your talent
and the school that you might like to
attend. Be honest in your personal assessment.
Research colleges to determine which schools fit
your academic and athletic abilities by asking
for literature and visiting campuses.
- Complete your Soccer Profile if U-15.
- Create introduction letter
. You may begin to establish
relationships with colleges of interest by
visiting games and expressing interest through
letters and emails sent to coaches.
- You can call coaches, but coaches
cannot call or approach you according to NCAA
regulations. Review NCAA regulations
regarding contact with coaches. The regulations
have changed.
- Be visible to college coaches. Don’t miss
College Showcase tournaments like Nomads or Las
Vegas. Attend college soccer camps of interest
over the summer.
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Junior Year
Taking Tests, Contacting
Coaches and Visting Campuses
- Continue emphasis on grades and begin to
take SAT, ACT and AP tests offered throughout
the year. Be prepared to take SAT twice or more.
Remember that your grades are the foundation for
your ultimate success. Maintain YOUR highest
academic standards. Meet with your counselor to
plan school year.
- Understand the academic requirements
of the schools of your interest.
Determine where your soccer and academic
abilities stand and approach schools that are
consistent with your level of achievement.
- Make a list of favorite colleges
and visit them on your own and with your family.
Trim the list. Gather applications to schools of
choice. You may begin receiving recruiting
material September 1.
- Send email or letters of
introduction with Soccer Profiles to
the coaches of schools which interest you. Inform them of your
games/matches/tournaments. Some coaches like to
see videos of you playing especially east coast
or mid-west school where it is difficult for you
to be seen. Ask and send if desired. Establish
positive relationships with potential coaches
following NCAA guidelines regarding contacting
coaches and visitations. Beginning March of
Junior year you can receive one phone call from
Coach. During April, you can have one visit on
HS campus. Starting July 1 after Junior year,
off-campus contact and coach initiated call one
per week is allowed.
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Senior Year
Maintaining Grades,
Submitting Applications and Finalizing Acceptance
- In FALL, Meet with your counselor to review
your transcript and to assure compliance with
NCAA requirements. Apply for Student-Athlete
status with NCAA Clearinghouse. 1-877-262-1492.
- Retake SATs if necessary (MAKE SURE you do
not have scheduling conflicts!)
- After July 1 you can receive a
weekly phone call. After Senior year
begins, you can start to take those 5 official
visits you are allowed for Division I schools.
You will tour the campus, meet the team see a
game, and stay overnight. Get to know the school
and coach and the team’s style of play.
Remember, the coach may not be employed at any
particular institution for all your time at the
school. It is important that you settle on a
school that “fits” your academic, athletic and
personal needs. The coach may be gone tomorrow!
- Submit applications for the schools
of your choice. Keep grades up
throughout the senior year. Some colleges
withdraw enrollment invitation and/or
scholarship if student’s academic levels decline
in senior year. No time for “senioritis.”
- If you are accepted, finalize paperwork and
Letters of Intent (if applicable) following NCAA
regulations. For 2005, the Letter of Intent is
sent to the player the first week of February.
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Communications Essentials
The more contacts you create, the more options you
will have.
- All forms must be completed carefully and
completely and returned promptly. All calls
should be returned immediately. Show your
enthusiasm!
- If your paperwork is incomplete with NCAA,
the coach will be forced to consider other
candidates and you might lose your chance for
admission, financial support and/or time on the
field
- Coaches prefer to pursue soccer
players that have expressed serious interest in
their school. Do not waste their time!
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Club, ODP, High School and Camps
Club, ODP, High School and soccer camps all
play important roles in your soccer recruiting
options. At every level of play you should give your
best effort. Club play is essential as it develops
players at a high level, some with opportunities to
play at state, regional and national tournaments.
While not essential, selection to play on an ODP
team can be a real bonus since many coaches recruit
from the state, regional and national teams. If you
are selected to ODP and you can manage the
additional load, it might be very beneficial. The
high school game is up to you as is your decision to
play in various camps offered through a college, ODP
or otherwise.
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What are coaches
looking for?
If you are ready to commit to the
demanding schedule and stress, you should know that
coaches are looking for students with personal
character and integrity (coaches will make note of
your conduct off the field before and after games)
and your academic and athletic desire or “heart”.
Sometimes your athletic skill will make the
difference. Coaches tend to focus on these
characteristic in your game:
- Forwards who possess speed, confidence,
tactical ability, fitness and the ability to
score goals.
- Midfielders who possess fitness, strength,
tactical & technical ability to play under
pressure.
- Defenders who possess speed, strength,
discipline & the ability to win challenges while
maintaining composure.
- Goalkeepers who possess confidence,
athleticism, leadership and communication
skills.
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Recruiting
Basics
- Please understand the following statistics -
out of the millions of kids that play age
group/high school sports only 3% will
participate on a college varsity sports team.
only 1% will receive any type of college
athletic scholarship.
- The coach’s “recruiting game” - a school may
be in contact with as many as 250-350 players
per year; 40-50 seriously (handwritten notes &
letters, the one call per week, etc.); 6 to 12
all out! top 3-4 they will ask for early
commitments.
- If you don’t have stellar grades, your
athletic skills are even more important, as they
may help you get a spot on the team!
- To find the right college for you, look up
the institution on the Internet at the NCAA
website www.ncaa.org - look at NCAA Sports Lists
-pick soccer. For access to team websites for
many NCAA and NAIA programs please visit their
respective institution’s website. Learn about
the requirements of that school.
- Make an effort to watch a practice and/or
game of the schools that you are interested in.
- Consider what you know about the head coach?
The coaching staff?
- Ask the schools if you may contact former
and current players and/or parents.
- Determine if you would attend this school
even if you had a career ending injury and could
not play?
- Remember you can have five
paid visits and add and drop as you go.
- Coaches prefer to pursue soccer players that
have expressed serious interest in their school.
Do not waste their time!
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What does the
player need to know about the
College, Coach, Team and
Scholarship options?
College
- Does the college offer the academic program
the player would ultimately hope to pursue? Are
athletes given preference in scheduling?
- Where is the college/university located?
Will the locale be good for the player in terms
of weather and distance from family/friends?
- What is the expected enrollment of
undergraduates and graduates? What are the class
sizes?
- What are the student housing options? What
transportation is available?
- Is tutoring offered to student-athletes? Is
there a fee?
Soccer Coach and Team
- In what division and conference does the
team play?
- What was the team’s record in the past? What
are the coach’s goals for the team?
- What style of play is desired for the team?
Is the player comfortable with the coach’s
style?
- How many players will be on the roster and
how many will travel with the team? How many
trips are planned for the coming season?
- What are the pre-season and post-season
schedules?
- How often is practice during the season, and
post-season?
- How will the team composition change with
seniors leaving and red-shirt players returning?
- What position is the player being recruited
for and how many others are already playing
there or are being recruited?
- What is the medical coverage for athletes?
Scholarship Concerns
- If not offered a scholarship, is the player
a candidate for admission as a Walk-On player?
- If offered a scholarship, what expenses are
covered, what is the duration and how can it be
terminated?
- If offered a scholarship and the player is
injured and can’t play, will the scholarship be
lost?
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Online
Resources
Listing of all NAIA (National Association
of Intercollegiate Athletes) schools
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Steps to Take
- College Counselor
a. Helps determine the type of college your
son/daughter would be interested in.
b. Some of the questions include:
i. Size of school
ii. What they want to do in school,
academically and socially
iii. Weather
iv. In State or Out of State
v. Campus Feel
vi. Play a sport
vii. Grades / Test Scores
viii. Costs
- Go online and create spreadsheet based on
relevant criteria
- Start contacting school for information
- Contact coach, send introductory information
- Visit school
- ALWAYS FOLLOW UP and
FOLLOW UP AGAIN
- Determine Financial requirement
Contact Us
For more information about College
placement please contact the Director of College
Placement.
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College Program
