My dd did the same and was not playing ECNL or GA the last 2 years of club. Long story won’t go there. She emailed schools from all divisions, no power 5s not realistic for her, with highlights and game times of the upcoming showcases to schools on the colleges attending list. Majority of them watched at least a game. We had a parent talk to coaches watching the games to see who they were there to see and the parent gave feedback to the players. She was then invited out to camps from some that saw her play and she went to one that didn’t work out because of weather so just got a tour of the school some indoor work and was told they want to see her play one more time 11v11. Most of the schools that she emailed and did not go watch her responded anyway and invited her out to a camp. She did not attend any of those camps. Maybe would have if it were a dream school. One of the schools that saw her play wanted to see her play again and she was fortunate to be able to play in front them visited the school got an offer she accepted and is leaving in a week! This was 2 years worth of non encl and ga showcases and no recruiting service. It can happen you just get less exposure and not the top programs. Lots of highlights and emails she also had the schools she had been talking to follow her soccer instagram and often posted new highlights for them to see. Very little to none club coach communication with college coach was needed in her case but I have heard others rely on club coaches connects and word. I guess that depends on how much you “kick ass” when they see you
Recruiting Tips for Parents Just Starting the Process
- Thread starter MakeAPlay
- Start date
Love this Toon. My dd old teammate played HS Soccer and a non letter league and got a very nice deal for D2. She loves to play the game. Had some D1 looks at the mid majors but wanted to play right away and become a nurse someday. My pals dd is struggling at P5. Coach is trying to run her out of town to free up cap space. P5 does not mess around with their players. If you come to camp out of shape, it can get nasty. This school has to honor the deal for 4 years. The good news is she loves the school, is a great kid and will just practice most likely. She's also burned out and hates the coach.
Congrats. Is she playing in state or out of state? Will you get to see her play? Our hope is to see our daughter at every home and road game starting in August. Exciting times.
rainbow_unicorn
PREMIER
Any thoughts on best time to start emailing coaches to get on radar? Spring of freshman year? Soph year? My understanding is that coaches start taking a look at a class summer after frosh year (e.g. ECNL finals for 08's this summer)?
Summer before Sophomore year is a good time to ramp things up. Then committing beginning of Junior year. Keep filming and work on a perfect recruiting video. Honestly 90% of ECNL players will find a college at some level, with the better players having more schools to choose from.
We were late to the party with us starting junior year. I was running behind on filming plus pandemic hit. Worked out ok as she grew to about 5'10", put in extra time with keeper coach during pandemic, and was more dominate as a goalkeeper Junior year. Not sure at 5' 6" from a lower league would have produced much interest. She is at orientation with mom today, starts captains practices on Monday.
I'll say again on the girls side, if they really want to play, they will find a school. Some average/good players on NPL/Premier level teams are playing this coming year. Also decide if sitting bench on P5 team is what they want, or chances to start on midlevel D1 or D2 schools is what your kid wants. Until they verbally commit, keep all levels open. Our teens change their minds weekly.
I don't understand this. Because there was a great player there, you guys gave up? Were you assuming that the standout player would even want to attend that school? Maybe I'm missing something.
You're only missing the sarcasm. This was my response to Espola's post on the previous page.
Ha - sorry. Hard to get that from a quick read.
For all the parents with High School students, have them send out emails to schools again. Season over for many schools this week and next. Let them know if your kid is playing in November, going to Surf Cup over Thanksgiving. Follow up in 2 weeks once you have schedules and email the shools again. Include links to youtube highlight videos and instagram videos.
It's crazy to look back to 2018 and remembering being told by a Doc, Coach many elite parents that college coaches don't like "club hoppers" and you best better not leave the family for another soccer family. If you look at today's college game, all I see is a lot of "College Hoppers." Some guys are leaving for greener pasture and skipping semifinals in football and a chance for a Natty. That's insane!!! Don't ever let a Doc lie and put fear in your kids or to the parents. Thank God I told those two losers to pound sand!!!
Thanks Paul. I will send this to my sister-in-law and a few pals who have some really good soccer kids. Gratis is always welcomed!!
Looking back - a 2012 recruit, it does not matter so much. The achievers achieve and the school has little to do with it.
The soccer part they do when living at home is the most important part because of the character it builds. I really don't know if the college was a waste of time or not. Mine is now off on her own. Still playing soccer because she loves it, doing professional things because she can. I guess for mainstream, college matters. But less and less.
The soccer part they do when living at home is the most important part because of the character it builds. I really don't know if the college was a waste of time or not. Mine is now off on her own. Still playing soccer because she loves it, doing professional things because she can. I guess for mainstream, college matters. But less and less.
On cycling forums, I rarely post about my soccer DD. On soccer forums, I rarely post about my youth cycling son.
We played the system for both kids and because the system is bigger than all of us, it matters. But as I said - not so much. If the kid really has talent, the school is getting more than the kid (parents) are getting.
It became apparent to me that college was mostly about branding. College added little other than adding the "recruited by Notre Dame NCAA 2010 Nat Champs", or "USA Cycling National Team and USAFA" on their resume's (my kids). Great for bragging, which I am doing now, but really didn't buy anyone much.
In the "end" these still 20 year olds, benefit more from the character and discipline that elite youth sports bring. Point is - if your kid is of that level, it matters relatively little if a college can see that. There are extremes of course, like don't send an Ivy capable kid to a community college, although that can still work.
We played the system for both kids and because the system is bigger than all of us, it matters. But as I said - not so much. If the kid really has talent, the school is getting more than the kid (parents) are getting.
It became apparent to me that college was mostly about branding. College added little other than adding the "recruited by Notre Dame NCAA 2010 Nat Champs", or "USA Cycling National Team and USAFA" on their resume's (my kids). Great for bragging, which I am doing now, but really didn't buy anyone much.
In the "end" these still 20 year olds, benefit more from the character and discipline that elite youth sports bring. Point is - if your kid is of that level, it matters relatively little if a college can see that. There are extremes of course, like don't send an Ivy capable kid to a community college, although that can still work.
shirivelli
BRONZE
Does it make sense to invest time, effort, and focus on pursuing D1 soccer down the road? I am providing all the necessary support to give my player the best opportunity to play at the highest level of soccer now. We are paying for the highest level of club soccer fees available for years to come. Additionally, we participate in tryouts if invited for the PDP, ODP, ID2, and related programs, and we travel to all major tournaments whenever possible.
And for what??... are the questions that have been lingering in my mind for some time now. For example… is getting into the top D1 academic schools through soccer the end goal here. But, after talking to some of the D1 players, we noted that the time commitment of 4-6 hours a day during season and 2-4 hours off season are overwhelming for some. They also cannot participate in many of the memorable college experiences such as the junior year exchange program overseas when committed to college soccer. Alternatively, is the end goal for my player to play professionally or represent the country on the world stage, such as the Olympics? Such an idea seems grandiose and highly unlikely to even be mentioned.
I’m trying to understand if all the individuals who invest time and money in ECNL, GA, national tournaments, showcases, and eventually playing D1 find it worthwhile in hindsight. Considering those who have already been through it, would you make the same choices for your player(s) again, or would you do something differently based on what you know now?
And for what??... are the questions that have been lingering in my mind for some time now. For example… is getting into the top D1 academic schools through soccer the end goal here. But, after talking to some of the D1 players, we noted that the time commitment of 4-6 hours a day during season and 2-4 hours off season are overwhelming for some. They also cannot participate in many of the memorable college experiences such as the junior year exchange program overseas when committed to college soccer. Alternatively, is the end goal for my player to play professionally or represent the country on the world stage, such as the Olympics? Such an idea seems grandiose and highly unlikely to even be mentioned.
I’m trying to understand if all the individuals who invest time and money in ECNL, GA, national tournaments, showcases, and eventually playing D1 find it worthwhile in hindsight. Considering those who have already been through it, would you make the same choices for your player(s) again, or would you do something differently based on what you know now?
Soccerfan2
GOLD
Youth soccer is a way for kids to be active, meet others and learn about things like teamwork, perseverance and leadership. That’s it! If your family has enough disposable income and you enjoy the youth sports life as much as your kid enjoys playing, great! But it should not be looked at as an investment. That’s a mistake. Put your money in a 529 plan (or something) for college if you want to invest it. Whatever college offers come or don’t come later down the road are a byproduct. I can promise you that 100% of us that have been through it would say the same. College sports and scholarships are going to change a lot in the coming years anyway. Just keep it simple and focus on raising good kids and letting them lead according to their interests (which change over the years) and supporting what they want to do within your means. I have two kids that played DA/ECNL all the way through. One is playing at a P4 school now and one has chosen not to play in college. I would do it all again, but we never looked at this as a financial investment, and we were always ok with our kids each choosing their own paths.
dk_b
GOLD
I have a kid finishing her D1 career this fall and I have twins starting their D3 careers this fall. Different paths, different goals, different outcomes. When my kids were younger (in their club days), I'd look at things in 2- or 3-year bands and until HS, it had little to do with college soccer and had everything to do with what made sense for each kid based on interest, ability, near-term goals (non-sports social v sports, for example). As my older one entered HS, we had the discussion that if college soccer dropped as her plan, we would not do the work for her to continue on her club team - it was a lot of commitment (financial and time (we had to figure out a lengthy drive to practice plus extra days for position training (she's a GK)). That's the only time we made the college path relevant (she committed under the old rules so we know very early that she was headed to a D1 program but if she changed her mind, we'd have pulled her from the club (and she could have played more locally)).
My younger two were different - wired differently so not really ready to change clubs at age their sister was - and then Covid hit and then injuries hit (it's a saga . . . ) but we still approached things similarly. What made sense at the time based on their interest/ability/goals? Stressing . . . THEIR interest. THEIR ability. THEIR goals. So the path changed. In some ways, they were very lucky because they know what a D1 commitment looks like, what it means for full 90 players (their sister has been since day 1) and what it means to never see the field (plenty of their sister's teammates). They know the push/pull with academics and social. And we were there to support THEIR path.
So that would be the advice I'd give: for the more expensive/time-consuming commitments, if it seems right for your kid and your kid is all in, keep it going. But there is a ton of sacrifice and unless that's the kid's goal, I see no reason to pursue it just because they can and we might see it as a possibility. D1 soccer is a real grind. Those of us who have watched our kids go through it could tell some stories. If someone is other than all in, I am not sure I'd want that for my kid.
"Sense" = $$? The other stuff only you can figure out.
You don't mention important data points.
-Goals
-Gender
-Some DEI equation
-Grades/test scores
For a male - if they can go pro - sure. They should skip college.
For a female - this is a great way to get into top schools that other kids can't.
If the is a strong DEI component, maybe use that instead.
My female kid still plays a lot 13 years after being recruited by the ten National Champions. It was not for money. It was not for soccer (for her). It was she wanted that school and that program. But she pretty much had a choice of any school because of soccer.
Club soccer offers more than D1. For starters, your player should not be focused on "D1" or "power 5" as we used to know it. The transfer portal is full of young ladies that worried more about social media than where they might be happy for 4 years. Ideally, you're the unicorn that gets in the right tournament, shines at the right moment her dream schools assistant is watching her game for 15 minutes. Or, you could be the parent that pays for 10 years of club soccer only to find out she's burned out at 18 and never wants to see a ball ever again. I've seen both and everything in between. The D1 thing, though? There's great D2 and D3 schools along with D1 colleges you've never heard of.
Playing club has lots of life lessons. Sacrifice, politics, psychotic parents, friendships, tournament memories, fitness, euphoria, etc. I looked at it like an investment in my kid because 99% of them get nothing back $$$ wise from college once they sign. If nothing else, playing college soccer looks great on a resume and she can always wind up one of these asshole DOCs making $150k for working part time.
Damnit... you keep saying "THEIR" like it's not MY dream!
After watching my kid play for 8 years(she started late), there was a part of me that wanted to continue watching her play. Now in college, I plan mini vacations on her road trips.Damnit... you keep saying "THEIR" like it's not MY dream!
My older daughter tried college for a semester. Set her and us back 30K for that one Semester. Fun paying that off. She realized college wasn't for her, now she is working her dream job. It did influence my younger daughter and us a bit when we realized that playing in college would help pay for some of that college. In season takes up about 25 hours per week, but that is only 3.5 months and she doesn't even start school until late September while taking a lighter load during season. Then it drops to 10-15 hours per week for the offseason. This is D1. She needs to keep busy, keeps her out of trouble and keeps her in shape. One thing that is difficult is being able to work.
Keep all levels of soccer open for recruiting. For many if might be better to get 60-90 minutes at a D2 than 10 minutes at D1. But each kid is different and if they don't mind only 10 minutes at a D1 then go with that. Don't worry too much about current roster unless your kid is a goalkeeper as most positions can be switched on the field, players quit or transfer. Make sure they like the college they are going to. Coaches change. Players on the team change. The school's location, major, and environment don't change. Really think having a kid in sports in college is the right move if the opportunity presents itself.