Keepers_Keeper
SILVER
Posted an update on my 2021 keeper on the GK board. Re-posting here to show that things can change in a heartbeat. If anyone wants to ask questions or chat privately, please message me. I won't be posting details on the public forums.
It's been a rough go for my GK DD the past few weeks. Bad timing...couldn't be worse actually. Now that we are entering the adjustment phase of grief, I am able to post an update.
DD verbally committed to a D1 college (southwest area) 2.5 years ago (before sophomore year - she is now a Jr). Perfect school and program for her. Full ride. Fast forward to this fall...unexpected coaching change, new coach hired in Dec (from college in same conference). New coach verbally confirmed (multiple times including in person at a winter camp) that commitments would be honored. 2 weeks ago, DD received a text and brief phone call stating that the coach was withdrawing the offer. Reason given at the time was lame (not enough $ and over commitments from previous coach). We asked for more info and were told that there were too many GKs on the roster (5 total - 3 were transfers from other colleges after DD committed), and also that the AD was expecting a more competitive program and the new coach needed to focus $ on players that will advance the program. Of course there are now some new commits are 'following' the new coach. I digress...the end result is that my DD is fed up with the 'college soccer drama' and is devastated but is looking to continue playing college club soccer without the drama. Word from players still in the program is that the new coach is good but the culture and dynamic of the team my dd thought she would be a part of no longer exists. It's a different team.
The (hopefully) good news is that the college is still her #1 choice. The not so good news is now we are trying to afford it (good thing she has a 4.7 gpa and can get academic aid). We are trying not to calculate the thousands upon thousands of dollars spent pursuing what could/should have been a valuable scholarship and amazing college experience. You can't put a price tag on emotional health though, right?
I never thought it would end like this. The rejection my dd has dealt with over the past few weeks (relationships ending, sports suspended, school closures, no face-to-face contact with friends, and end to her college soccer dreams) has been traumatic, and her mental and emotional health has been shaken to her core. But we believe that every closed door allows a window to open. She is feeling the breeze and breathing in deeply to refresh her body, mind, soul and spirit. OK, some days, not so much, but those days are less and less often
It is taking a LOT of effort to get through this, especially in isolation. The crazy thing is that, as she has connected with other players, she has learned that many of them are in the same boat for various reasons. Maybe it's just circumstantial, but it sounds like the politics, coaching changes, and demands of college soccer are starting to profoundly affect top quality players deciding not to pursue college soccer. Maybe that means that club soccer in college will be a magnet for high quality players that want to play great soccer without that intensity and drama of D1 (and other levels) soccer. Will add that we know there are other colleges, other D1 (D2, D3, NAIA) programs still recruiting. My DD is a GREAT goalkeeper, teammate, and person. She is the whole package. That won't change because her offer was rescinded. It is just disappointing that the 'perfect' college is no longer the 'perfect' soccer program. Who knows, in a few months maybe we can look back and say 'so THAT's why this happened!'. Or not.
No matter what the outcome, everything my dd (and I) have learned in our journey from her beginnings with a small local club, to ECNL club, to HS, to college recruiting/commitment/withdrawal has shaped and prepared her for life. So here's to finding Joy in the Journey...wishing you and all your players God's protection and blessings in your journey both on and off the pitch! -K_K
It's been a rough go for my GK DD the past few weeks. Bad timing...couldn't be worse actually. Now that we are entering the adjustment phase of grief, I am able to post an update.
DD verbally committed to a D1 college (southwest area) 2.5 years ago (before sophomore year - she is now a Jr). Perfect school and program for her. Full ride. Fast forward to this fall...unexpected coaching change, new coach hired in Dec (from college in same conference). New coach verbally confirmed (multiple times including in person at a winter camp) that commitments would be honored. 2 weeks ago, DD received a text and brief phone call stating that the coach was withdrawing the offer. Reason given at the time was lame (not enough $ and over commitments from previous coach). We asked for more info and were told that there were too many GKs on the roster (5 total - 3 were transfers from other colleges after DD committed), and also that the AD was expecting a more competitive program and the new coach needed to focus $ on players that will advance the program. Of course there are now some new commits are 'following' the new coach. I digress...the end result is that my DD is fed up with the 'college soccer drama' and is devastated but is looking to continue playing college club soccer without the drama. Word from players still in the program is that the new coach is good but the culture and dynamic of the team my dd thought she would be a part of no longer exists. It's a different team.
The (hopefully) good news is that the college is still her #1 choice. The not so good news is now we are trying to afford it (good thing she has a 4.7 gpa and can get academic aid). We are trying not to calculate the thousands upon thousands of dollars spent pursuing what could/should have been a valuable scholarship and amazing college experience. You can't put a price tag on emotional health though, right?
I never thought it would end like this. The rejection my dd has dealt with over the past few weeks (relationships ending, sports suspended, school closures, no face-to-face contact with friends, and end to her college soccer dreams) has been traumatic, and her mental and emotional health has been shaken to her core. But we believe that every closed door allows a window to open. She is feeling the breeze and breathing in deeply to refresh her body, mind, soul and spirit. OK, some days, not so much, but those days are less and less often
It is taking a LOT of effort to get through this, especially in isolation. The crazy thing is that, as she has connected with other players, she has learned that many of them are in the same boat for various reasons. Maybe it's just circumstantial, but it sounds like the politics, coaching changes, and demands of college soccer are starting to profoundly affect top quality players deciding not to pursue college soccer. Maybe that means that club soccer in college will be a magnet for high quality players that want to play great soccer without that intensity and drama of D1 (and other levels) soccer. Will add that we know there are other colleges, other D1 (D2, D3, NAIA) programs still recruiting. My DD is a GREAT goalkeeper, teammate, and person. She is the whole package. That won't change because her offer was rescinded. It is just disappointing that the 'perfect' college is no longer the 'perfect' soccer program. Who knows, in a few months maybe we can look back and say 'so THAT's why this happened!'. Or not. No matter what the outcome, everything my dd (and I) have learned in our journey from her beginnings with a small local club, to ECNL club, to HS, to college recruiting/commitment/withdrawal has shaped and prepared her for life. So here's to finding Joy in the Journey...wishing you and all your players God's protection and blessings in your journey both on and off the pitch! -K_K
