D1 college soccer under threat

I want you to tell me why you think varsity sports are better for a person with no professional aspirations? Why does someone that wants to focus on academics need a professional coach? Do you think clubs sports give young people more time for studies than varsity sports?


I will answer this group but answer this..
Why do you think college sport exists? More specifically, why do you think college "Olympic" sports exist? Not should they but why?
 
Fair and true because I want it to improve. I think part of my reason my kid made the Xolo’s team is because they love having a gringo around to make fun of. The jokes hurt but all I can say in response is pass me another beer to numb the pain. Coach, please help a brotha out and commit to doing better.

As to college sports, I know several pro athletes who all think that college sports suck. Many think playing sports deters kids from taking rigorous courses. Many think it’s unnecessarily difficult to manage school and sports. Accordingly, academics and club sports should be the focus for a more enjoyable college experience and higher probability of success because of higher grades in more rigorous courses.

I think your thoughts are right on for men's sports but completely wrong for women's sports. Also My dd's team is full women taking tough majors. The vast majority had GPA's above 3.5. In fact I think the rigors of playing college sports helps players to stay focused on their studies.
 
No more like sweetie you don’t have what it takes to play at the highest level but I love you. Focus on your studies and continue playing for fun. Win some lose some is the lesson and if it doesn’t kill you it’ll make you stronger. In the real world everyone doesn’t get a trophy.
Coach, your entitlement is coming out. After 16, if we know a kid can’t make it, why continue the lie? What’s with this everybody’s a winner and everybody gets a trophy? Fuck that...play club and study hard!
D1 sports and studying hard do not need to be mutually exclusive. There are plenty of students that can do both and be very successful.
 
Slacker... done at 22... I pushed myself and finished at 23.. do you know how many more college classes I got to take in the 6yr plan.
Probably not more than if you would have pursued a graduate or professional degree with that time.
 
Couple questions for you, I was hoping you could elaborate on.

1. How is college getting in the way of 1-2 out of 100 players?
2. Who is “you guys”?
3. Why are there no more lanes?

What’s funny to me about the 1-2 player argument is that it was our families biggest complaint about DA...designing a program with international rules for the super small sub-set of kids who will ever play them representing a country or play professionally. Seemed upside down to me.

Also, the goal for the vast majority of the consumers (parents) is college. Not pro. If I’m building a product, designing a service, trying to build a revenue stream I’m designing it so I can capture as many customers as possible. I’m designing so what I have works for 98% of the customers (those I am targeting, specialty, niche, etc.) and keeping them happy. I’m not worried about the 2% I may lose, but will likely try to figure out a way to catch them.

ECNL is selling college. Look at their marketing/messaging. They are not selling pro. Not one youth league in this country is selling pro. Maybe NWSL should open the draft to all players, not just players exiting college.
I need to take a break. I really want to thank you for speaking up for what you want out of soccer. I want college soccer to work out for everybody too. I also want our country to win at soccer and I have my concerns. The men, I have no hope for at this time. Someone needs to help them.
 
I do think it's ridiculous that we have 300 D1 girls soccer teams. That is over kill. I think they should have less, like maybe 100 and then D2. D1 is sexy and it sells the ego big time :) "My dd plays D1" just like my dd was in the GDA league.
 
It’s entitlement to think a student should be able to play varsity sports for experience instead of focusing on studies and future career while playing club due to love of the game.

I did not say that every soccer player thinks they should be able to play college soccer but many aspire to.. aspiration is different than entitlement. If that was the case, many former BearCats would be picketing their university as they are entitled to play soccer there. It is not a birthright to play soccer anywhere. It is also a provided opportunity by the NCAA and NAIA. Soccer is for everyone who chooses it. I have a player who was noticed at Surf. She was noticed by a school she may not otherwise be able to afford because of soccer. If she chooses to keep her grades up, get good test scores and pursue the opportunity. If it wasn't for college soccer that opportunity at school may not be there. This is the flaw in your argument. In my limited experience, she is not entitled to this but she has to earn the opportunity. She and I have had that conversation.

AAU is exclusionary to then. The cost to travel is not free. Those uniforms are not cheap and gym time is costly.
 
I do think it's ridiculous that we have 300 D1 girls soccer teams. That is over kill. I think they should have less, like maybe 100 and then D2. D1 is sexy and it sells the ego big time :) "My dd plays D1" just like my dd was in the GDA league.

Who gets those 100 programs. Why them and not the others.. You answer.. why do college athletics exist.
 
D3 is the option for a rigorous college schedule at a very academic university. Rules are different there. I am not sure you realize that. Look at the Claremont Consortium Schools or the NESCAC conference. Do you think those student athletes should give up soccer or lacrosse or track or basketball. College sports are not about becoming a pro. Football and Basketball make it appear to be. Why does D1 mean you can not have a rigorous study schedule. I know civil engineers that played D1 sports. I trust they know what they are doing when they are designing our roadways and infrastructure. You speak of D1 sports from a bball and football prospective. You do not see the track athlete or the swimmer or water polo player.

I played D1 Water Polo and got my Mechanical Engineering degree! I would not trade either experiences.
 
Probably not more than if you would have pursued a graduate or professional degree with that time.
I chose to enjoy being young. I worked graveyard, played college club sports, took my time. No rush... what did I miss out by graduating at 23 as opposed to 21?
 
This is an interesting topic. My DD is sitting here amused by reading this stuff with me. Minority, college junior, plays in the Pac12 and loves every minute of it. From picking her classes first to the many, many benefits of being a student-athlete, she would do it again in a second. We are not upper middle class and had it not been for her soccer scholarship she would have done the community college route then transfer to get her degree. College soccer has given her far more opportunities than she ever would have had (says her). Is it a grind at times? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes.
Can you ask her what her thoughts are on Sophie Smith skipping college to go pro? Also, what's her take on someone like MP taking the money over college experience? Was your dd good enough then and now to have the choice on pro or college today? BTW, my dd chooses college experience and sports and life football game 100%. However, it would be cool if money was there for all the players to go pro like Nix kid did going to the "G" league. Choice is good :)
 
Couple questions for you, I was hoping you could elaborate on.

1. How is college getting in the way of 1-2 out of 100 players?
2. Who is “you guys”?
3. Why are there no more lanes?

What’s funny to me about the 1-2 player argument is that it was our families biggest complaint about DA...designing a program with international rules for the super small sub-set of kids who will ever play them representing a country or play professionally. Seemed upside down to me.

Also, the goal for the vast majority of the consumers (parents) is college. Not pro. If I’m building a product, designing a service, trying to build a revenue stream I’m designing it so I can capture as many customers as possible. I’m designing so what I have works for 98% of the customers (those I am targeting, specialty, niche, etc.) and keeping them happy. I’m not worried about the 2% I may lose, but will likely try to figure out a way to catch them.

ECNL is selling college. Look at their marketing/messaging. They are not selling pro. Not one youth league in this country is selling pro. Maybe NWSL should open the draft to all players, not just players exiting college.
You still don’t get it. I’m saying your kid may have artificial limits placed on her because she hasn’t been in a optimal environment. In other words, you need to leave room for the possibility that your kids growth is being stunted by their current environment.
 
Can you ask her what her thoughts are on Sophie Smith skipping college to go pro? Also, what's her take on someone like MP taking the money over college experience? Was your dd good enough then and now to have the choice on pro or college today? BTW, my dd chooses college experience and sports and life football game 100%. However, it would be cool if money was there for all the players to go pro like Nix kid did going to the "G" league. Choice is good :)

You said you were taking a break...are you going to answer the questions I asked you? Just checking :)
 
You still don’t get it. I’m saying your kid may have artificial limits placed on her because she hasn’t been in a optimal environment. In other words, you need to leave room for the possibility that your kids growth is being stunted by their current environment.

I don’t think you get it....Limits on what exactly? What is being limited? Optimal environment for what specifically? Growth in what area?
 
Back
Top