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COLLEGE NIGHT TALK

Thurs. Feb. 21       7-8:30pm      SC High School

MDU is excited to host a College Night talk with PSU Women's Assistant Coach Tim Wassell and PSU Men's Assistant Coach Greg Dalby.  This talk is open to soccer players born in 2001-2005 and is geared towards players that have aspirations of playing in college. 

We are requiring that all players interested in attending the talk register for this event.
Log into your account here to register

If you have any further questions, please contact Theresa at [email protected].

Time:
Thursday, February 21 from 7-8:30pm

Location:
State College Area High School
Room C016

Parking:

There are about 15 spaces in the front of the building and an additional 25 or so on the side of the building.  After that you will either have to park in the rear of the building or across the street.  

Room Directions:

C016 is an open classroom on the ground floor.  Upon entering the building at the Main Door go left.  Make another left at the next hallway (there will be a big C on the wall).  At the end of that hall it opens up into a classroom (surrounded by other doored classrooms) this is your meeting space.




Navigating the College Soccer Recruiting Process


1) RESEARCHING SCHOOLS
    
+  What do you want out of your college soccer career? Understand the challenges and rewards
    
+ College Soccer Opportunities, NCAA I, II & III, NAIA, NJCAA
 
   -  Total # of Men's Programs = 1,214 (NCAA = 783)
    -  Total # of Women's Programs = 1,367 (NCAA = 968)
    
+  Variables to Consider
 
  - Academic Level
   - Academic Offerings
   - Geographic Location
   - Climate
   - Size of School
   - Urban vs. Rural
   - Cost
 
  - Level of Soccer Program
   - Impact You May Have on Program

2) TARGETING SCHOOLS
     
+ Narrow down your list, find schools that will be the right fit
   
- Set realistic expectations both academically and athletically, use coaches for honest opinion
   - Watch college soccer
   - Understand the recruiting cycle, roster size, graduating class size
   - Student-Athlete not Athlete- Student
   - Understand what your role may be on a team, Impact, Core or Depth


        

3) COMMUNICATING WITH COLLEGE COACHES
      

+ You have to self-recruit
   
- You can't start too early
   - Personalize all correspondence
   - Have a reasonable email address
   - Coaches have NCAA rules to follow in how they can respond
   - The power of a phone call
   - Make sure you send reminders to coaches before an event/showcase
   - Your soccer resume should include: contact information, graduation year, academic details, soccer achievements, upcoming events, references and extra circular activities
   - Be persistent in all communication, reach out every time there is an update in your academic or soccer career. Test scores, event results etc.
      
+ Visiting Campus
   
- Understand the difference between official and unofficial visits
   - Schedule a campus tour
   - May have meetings with coach, players and academic support
   - Be smart, behave. What you do during a visit will most likely get back to the coach
     
4) GETTING EVALUATED
      

+ Tournaments and Showcases

   - Maximize opportunity for evaluation with effective communication prior to the event
   - The coach is looking at your technical, tactical, physical, psychological and emotional components
   - Follow up after the event with a note to the coach, use your club coach as a point of contact
      

+ Camps and One Day Clinics
   
- Camps are opportunity for development, evaluation but are also sources of revenue for the program
   - Make sure you attend camps that suits your needs, too many camps in a summer can burn you out
   - One day clinics offer a time and cost effective approach, allowing for evaluation and understanding
    

+ ODP, ID2, Select Programs
   
- College coaches are often on staff at these identification and development programs
   - The environment is constantly changing, these programs are not necessary for evaluation, but are another avenue for evaluation
    

+ Recruitment Videos (Consider SOCCER ASPECT)
   
- You will not get recruited solely from a video, but it may get the coaches attention, spark interest or support your application. It acts as your visual resume, it must provide an opportunity for evaluation
   - Understand the difference between a highlight reel and a recruitment video, coaches want context
      
5) MAKING AN INFORMED DECISION
       
+  Ask for Feedback from College Coaches
   
- Ask the hard questions, e.g. Do you think I would be a good fit for your program?
   - Be okay with rejection - The coach is looking to fill their needs and a 'no' narrows down your list.
       

+ The Reality of Soccer Scholarships
   
- Understand that soccer is an equivalency sport, and programs may not be funded to NCAA limits.
   - 2% of high school athletes will get a scholarship at an NCAA Division I or II institution (NY Times).
   - The average amount of athletic scholarships offered in equivalency sports is $10,000.
   - Division III programs may find ways to attractively package student-athletes.
    

+ The Admissions Process
   
- Admissions officers admit students, not coaches. Ask coaches for feedback on admissibility status.
   - Soccer may help you get into schools that may be out of your reach without athletic support.
   - Don't rely on soccer to get you into schools, work hard in the classroom to give you opportunity. 
     

+ The NCAA Clearinghouse 
   
- Clearinghouse refers to Division I and II only.
   - In order to participate in athletics and receive athletically based financial aid, you must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and meet academic and amateurism eligibility standards.
   - Download guide for College-Bound Student-Athlete 
    

Click here to learn more about the Clearinghouse

        
+ Parents Role in the Process
   
- Let the athlete lead the process, coaches want to deal with prospects not parents
   - Be realistic about your child's ability and opportunity.
   - Guide them, advise them and support them. Help organize the process and materials.
     
6) PREPARATION
        

+ After you commit you must prepare physically, technically, tactically, physiologically and emotionally for your college soccer experience. Don't think the journey is over - it's just begun.