Transcript 2008 COLLEGE RECRUITING SEMINAR http://youtube.com/watch?v=FtjOIH3IEs8 State of Collegiate Soccer  High Demand for college soccer in the United States  Division I Women http://web1.ncaa.org/onlineDir/exec/sponsorship?sortOrder=0&division=1&sport=WSO  Division II Women http://web1.ncaa.org/onlineDir/exec/sponsorship?sortOrder=0&division=2&sport=WSO  Division III.

2008 COLLEGE
RECRUITING SEMINAR
http://youtube.com/watch?v=FtjOIH3IEs8
State of Collegiate Soccer

High Demand for college soccer in the United States

Division I Women
http://web1.ncaa.org/onlineDir/exec/sponsorship?sortOrder=0&division=1&sport=WSO

Division II Women
http://web1.ncaa.org/onlineDir/exec/sponsorship?sortOrder=0&division=2&sport=WSO

Division III Women
http://web1.ncaa.org/onlineDir/exec/sponsorship?sortOrder=0&division=3&sport=WSO

NAIA Women http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/naia/memberservices/championships/Qualifcation_Plans/qual_plans_pdf/WomensSoccerQP.pdf

Division I Men
http://web1.ncaa.org/onlineDir/exec/sponsorship?sortOrder=0&division=1&sport=MSO



Division II Men NCAA Sports Sponsorship
Division III Men NCAA Sports Sponsorship
NAIA Men http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/naia/memberservices/championships/Qualifcation_Plans/qual_plans_pdf/MensSoccerQP.pdf
Division Differences

Division I (Larger Schools, Major Conferences)






More Scholarship Money
Larger Operating Budgets
More Resources for the Student-Athletes
Facilities
More Time Commitment
Division II




Offer Athletic Scholarship
Smaller School
Falls Right in the Middle of Division I and III in How Program
Operates
Senior Recruits Allowed to Workout with College Team
Division Differences (cont.)

Division III





No Athletic Scholarship
Much Smaller Schools
More Emphasis on Academics
Out of Season Rules Much Different than DI and DII
NAIA




No Governing Body
No Rules for Recruiting (Contacts, Visits, etc…)
Athletic Scholarships Available
Fit for Student-Athlete in the Middle for both Academics
and Athletics
The Recruiting Process
Misconception: “Schools will
recruit me.”
 Truth: Most players/parents end up
recruiting the school.

The Recruiting Process

Step 1 – Research Schools



Size and location, academics
Quality of soccer program, coach, roster size and
grade breakdown
Step 2 – Make List of Potential Schools

Include a few long shots, but majority of realistic
choices
The Recruiting Process


Step 3 – Contact Coach
 e-mail is usually most effective
 Inform coach of schedule for high school or club
 Be sure to put jersey number, jersey colors, potential positions, field
number, and opponent
Step 4 – Set up a College Visit
 Official Visit – Paid for by the school

Allowed only five

Can start after July 15 going into Senior year of h.s.
 Unofficial Visit: Paid for on your own

Unlimited

Can take them anytime
 Alert the coach that you are coming and request meeting
 Tour the campus, meet with admissions, etc…
The Recruiting Process

Step 5 – Follow up


Let the coach know what you thought of the visit
and if you’d like to continue to stay in contact
Step 6 – Rank Visits

Keep a personal reflection after each visit
Recruiting Rules



A prospective student-athlete can call coach at
anytime
Coach can’t call a recruit until after July 15 of
senior year in high school, then only once a
week
A prospective can e-mail coach at anytime.
Recruiting Rules


A coach can’t approach a recruit or a recruit’s parent at a
game until its conclusion or at a tournament until the
recruit’s team is completely finished with the tournament.
Although a parent or player approaching a coach isn’t
entirely illegal, it can be a turn off because it puts the
coach in an awkward situation. The coach is technically
only supposed to say a brief hello in passing and not
carry on a conversation.
When to Start the Process




Girls – Recruiting Process Significantly Sped up,
especially at Division I
 verbal commitments by junior season
 Identification starting by sophomore year
Reality: should be contacting schools early in junior year
and visiting soon after
Most schools looking for commitments in summer or
early fall of senior year.
*Signing Period is first week of February
When to Start the Process




Boys – pressure to decide early not as great
as girls
Identification starts during junior year.
Start visits in spring of junior year and in the
summer.
Signing Date the same.
How to Gain Exposure

Club vs. High School



College Showcases





High School for local coaches
Club just easier access and majority of the time is an overall higher level
Team profiles
ODP
Camps (summer, winter, identification)
Visits, E-mails, Phone Calls
Recruiting Services
What to Send to Coaches

1 page profile sheet usually sufficient
http://www.classicssoccerclub.com/teampages/PlayerProfile.asp?ID=120

Videos



Most effective if coach hasn’t seen you play
Not necessary, unless coach asks for them
Schedules – be sure to include jersey
number, color, field location, opponent
Coach Smith,
Hello, my name is Jane Doe and I play for the U17 Mockingbird Valley Soccer Club
team. My graduation year is 2009. My jersey number is 17 and I play either outside
defender or outside midfielder. I am interested in your soccer and academic
program and would like for you to come to one of my games if you are going to be
attending either of these tournaments. My team will be wearing white or green. I
am going to be in Raleigh NC Friday November 30 - Sunday December 2. My
game times are as follows:
Friday 11/30/07 - 11:50am vs. Internationals, Field Location- WRAL SC Fairway B
02B
Saturday 12/1/07 - 1:40pm vs. Dynamo, Field Location- WRAL SC Steak n' Shake
#12
Sunday 12/2/07 - 9:20am vs. CASL, Field Location- WRAL SC Eurosport A 16A
Additional Information

School Applications






Meet deadlines
Early applications
Reference Letters/High School Counselors
NCAA Clearinghouse https://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
FAFSA www.fafsa.com
Additional Scholarships
Role of the Parent vs. Player



Coaches like to communicate with the player
rather than the parent
Player should be the one contacting the
coach, arranging visits, etc…
On a visit, important the player talks to the
coach and not just the parent; should come
with a list of questions.
Scholarships

NCAA Fully Funded Programs
 Men = 10 & Women = 14
 Those scholarships can be broken down and split up in any way

Fair Question to a coach: “Do you see me as a scholarship player?”

Majority of soccer players are not on an athletic “full-ride”

Athletic Scholarship is a year by year agreement, not a four year
agreement

Most scholarships are increased before decreased