FC42 College Soccer Recruiting
What does it take to play college soccer? S peed is the primary distinguishing factor between levels of play Technical Tactical Physical Psychological Do you know the level? Have you watched the college game? Are you willing to sacrifice? Are you willing to do what it takes to get there? S elf Evaluation: are you improving your weaknesses?
College S occer Demands Being a student athlete is a full time j ob. Balance of soccer, academics, and social life. Are you able to balance it now? The time commitment is different for each program.
Probability Chart Student Athletes Men’s Soccer High S chool S tudent Athletes 410,982 High S chool S enior S tudent 117,423 Athletes NCAA S tudent Athletes 23,365 NCAA Freshman Roster 6,676 Positions NCAA S enior S tudent Athletes 5,192 NCAA S tudent Athletes Drafted 101 5.7% Percent High School to NCAA Percent NCAA to Professional 1.9% Percent High S chool to 0.09% Professional
Importance of Academics Poor academic performance will limit opportunity Many schools will not even be able to recruit a poor performer and others will choose not to take the risk. Often work habits (or lack of) in the classroom can carry over to the soccer field
Interesting Figures/ Costs/ S tats The average cost of a four year degree (2018) is $112,000 The average rate of the yearly increase in tuition is 8-10% 37% of college students will transfer colleges atleast once throughout their collegiate years Transfer S tudent: may cost more money. Transfer S tudent: may lost academic credits Transfer S tudent: much harder to get back onto a collegiate roster Transfer S tudent: may not graduate within four/ five years. Facts Above = Plan your soccer and academic future in depth. Do your research. There are no shortcuts!
Choosing a College “ It’s not a four-year decision. It’s a forty-year decision.” If you tear your ACL on the first day of pre- season and never get a chance to play, is this a school you would still attend? Decide on a school for the whole school, not just soccer. College is about many experiences, soccer being one. Know you are at a school and program that will be a great fit academically and athletically for all the things that are most important to you.
Academics Y our Interests Typical Class S ize S chool’s Focus S tudent/ Faculty Ratio Maj ors Offered Grad S tudents Instructors S chool’s Ranking Tutoring S ervices Big-name S chool Military Admission S tandards Enrollment Tuition (In S tate v. Out of S tate)
S ocial/ Environmental Private or Public S chool Location (rural/ city/ suburban) Religious Affiliation Conservative or Liberal Ethnic Diversity Cultural Environment Coed or S ingle S ex Fraternity/ S orority Distance from home and family Recreational Activities Campus Atmosphere Weather
S occer Considerations Division (I,II,III, NAIA, JC) Immediate Playing Contribution Player Turnover S cholarship Money and Coaching S taff Distribution Competitive S chedule S taff Time Commitment Training S chedule Facilities Coaches Contacts to the Travel Next Level S trength of Team
The Process YOUR FIRST CONSIDERATION MUST BE ACADEMIC Identify up to 30 colleges that meet your individual needs NOW CONSIDER THE SOCCER PROGRAM Identify 7-10 schools that meet your academic and athletic requirements CONTACT SCHOOLS Cover Letter Resume Phone Call Campus Visit VISIT THE SCHOOL AND ATTEND ID CAMPS
Communicating with Coaches S ell and promote yourself Email coaches and visit campuses Y ou are in charge of your future Get on a coaches’ radars and do the leg work to know what types of schools interest
Written Communication: Player Profile/ Resume Personal Section : name, address, phone number, date of birth, height, weight, etc. Academic Section : high school name, address and phone number; grade point average and/ or class rank and standardized test information (S AT , PS AT , ACT). Athletic Section : list of all soccer teams (high school, club, etc), positions played, coaches names and team records. List any soccer honors that have been received. Reference Section : names of 3 or 4 people who can accurately gauge the player’s character and ability. References’ addresses, email, and phone numbers are necessary. Consider a letter of recommendation.
Written Communication: Cover Letter A personal letter is most effective. The letter should explain your expectations in terms of education, the soccer program, financial need, and scholarship requirements. Be sure to request literature about the college, and specifically, the soccer program. Make it as easy as possible for the coach (time, location, j ersey #, etc.) Make sure your grammar and spelling is correct! Have a proper email address. Be professional.
Monday, May 3, 2018 John Coach Head Men’ s S occer Coach University City, S tate Dear Coach: My name is John S mith and I am writing to you to express my interest in attending Duke University and playing for your program. Currently, I am a j unior at Everett High S chool and will graduate in 2014. I currently have a GPA of 3.5 and 1800 S AT. Enclosed is a list of my academic and athletic accomplishments. My club team is the FC42 BOYS U17 Team. My personal highlights include Elite Player Development, I will be attending the upcoming S howcase on May 2-4. Enclosed with this letter is a current schedule of the tournaments and showcase events my team will be participating in, my academic/ soccer resumes, a copy of my transcripts, and my ACT/ S AT results. I hope you will be attending some of these events and might have the time to evaluate my soccer abilities in a showcase game. If you could send me a soccer media guide and soccer camp brochure, it would be much appreciated. I will follow up this letter with a telephone call within the next two weeks in hopes that I will have an opportunity to talk with you in reference to opportunities that may exist in the future. Thank you for your time and consideration. S incerely, John S mith
Telephone Contact The single key variable that separates a single student- athlete from all of the other solicitation letters received by the college coach is a regular follow up. The maj ority of letters received by college coaches are form letter mailed to numerous programs –A specific letter followed by a telephone call indicates a sincere interest in a given program. Direct conversation allows the coach and athlete to assess personalities and interest levels. It is an effective way to express interest in the program and to ask questions (Do not ask questions that are readily available from other sources!!) Know the NCAA Rules and Regulations!
Telephone Contact Have a specific reason for calling: update on schedule, key games, etc. If you get the coach on the phone make sure to be courteous and very straightforward. Make sure that you have your FACTS and INFORMATION as well as any QUESTIONS that you have. ALWAYS make sure to ask at least two or three questions. Y our questions can show how much research and effort you have put into this call. Don’ t ask questions that are readily available online. DO NOT call a coach back without having done some research on both the institution and the soccer program. Make sure to know whom you are calling. Make sure you know which coach is responsible for what (2 nd Asst Coach and GK coach is different than the 2 nd Asst Coach and S trength Coach). Know their names. S ee example scripts in the college packet.
Visit the Campus The best way to get a feel for the campus Take an initial visit in your freshman/ sophomore year Plan a second visit in your j unior/ senior year Official vs. Unofficial Visit Tour the campus Meet the coaching staff Meet players Ask questions! Ask the same questions of different people
College ID Camps Once you have narrowed down your list of schools, attend their id camp. Opportunity to meet the staff and work first hand with them. Most college coaches now are asking there recruits to attend their camp.
College S howcase Pre College Showcase Four Weeks Out: E-mail updated resume and tournament information Three Weeks Out: Call college coaches to make sure they received resume and that they will be at the showcase Two Weeks Out: E-mail colleges with tournament schedule One Week Out: Call college coaches to confirm that they will be at the showcase and can come watch you play Post College Showcase One Day After: E-mail college coaches thanking them for coming to watch you play. Within One Week After: Call college coaches to thank them personally and to get their feedback on how you played
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