College Action Plan By Coach Sam Haddad

Thunder Soccer Club has designed a College Bound Program that will give our older teams/players an additional edge to make it to the collegiate level. As part of this new program, Thunder Soccer Club is offering an in house consultant, Coach Sam Haddad, to help and provide one on one consultation to college bound players.

Understanding the Process First let’s start by introducing you to the Seven Myths about College Sports:

Understanding the Process Myth: College coaches will find me and contact me if I am good enough to play on their team. Truth: College coaches cannot possibly know about every one of the thousands of student athletes good enough to play college sports. There are far fewer coaches than there are athletes. There’s not a recruiting budget on the planet big enough for a coach to know about every qualified athlete.

Understanding the Process Myth: If I’m not being recruited, I should forget about a future in college sports. Truth: There can be a successful college sports experience in the future of most varsity athletes. It’s up to you! Of course, this may mean that you compromise and go to a school that is not on your favorites list. If you are determined to play, you can find a way. Start planning early, get a little better each day, and you’ll be surprised at how your dreams can come true!

Understanding the Process Myth: Playing my sport at high school and in summer tournaments will get me noticed by the right school for me. Truth: Get yourself on coaches’ radar screens and recruiting lists by sending out your information before you attend competitions. Send a simple to coaches at colleges you like and where you fit the profile. Make sure coaches know your jersey number and your team’s schedule. Only a small percentage of recruiters from any given college will be present at the tournaments you attend. Pre-market yourself to make sure you get noticed.

Understanding the Process Myth: It is against NCAA rules for me to make calls to college coaches. Truth: You can call college coaches just about any time. It is very difficult for a student-athlete to break the recruiting rules unless a college coach knowingly helps you break the rules. Why haven’t you called a coach already? Fear of rejection? Don’t know what to say? Call and tell them who you are, and the coach will take it from there.

Understanding the Process Myth: I should pay a recruiting or scouting service, video company or sports résumé company to help me get a scholarship. Truth: You can accomplish these tasks on your own. Often, college coaches toss the mail from recruiting services into the trash. Coaches prefer to receive mail directly from student- athletes. Fancy promotional materials or videos are not necessary to attract the attention of a college coach. Your skill is what matters. Your money is better spent paying a private coach to increase your skills.

Understanding the Process Myth: It is my Club coach’s/ high school coach’s job to help me get a scholarship. Truth: Your Club/high school coach probably does not have the time to properly market each athlete on your team. He or she may not know what college coaches want or how to properly market you. Few club/high school coaches have college contacts. Your club/high school coach’s job is to field calls and be a solid reference if you are deserving of it.

Understanding the Process Myth: I just received a letter from a college coach. This means they’ll offer me a scholarship soon. Truth: Schools send out hundreds—even thousands—of these letters. An offer of a scholarship will nearly always follow an offer for an official paid visit as a high school senior and an offer of a home visit by the coach. Ask the college coach specifically what their level of interest is in you as an athlete for their program. Or have your club/ high school coach make a call to find out. One letter—or even a few—is not an indication that a scholarship is forthcoming.

Defy the myths Defying the myths about college sports is easy. A bit of planning and persistence can lead to success. Prepare a plan for yourself.

The Plan 1- Believe you have what it takes. You must start with a big dream, and then plan the steps to reach it. Your big dreams are the ones worth striving for. 2- Write a simple letter that describes your strengths, graduation year, contact info, academic GPA and SAT or ACT score. Include your times statistics, position, height and weight if relevant. 3- Look up college coaches’ addresses or addresses online and send out your letter to at least 25 coaches (approximately eight coaches at each level.) 4- Follow up with an and a phone call until you get an answer about all of the coaches’ levels of interest in you. Keep marketing yourself until you find a school that will be a good fit for you 5- Tell your club/high school coach your intentions. If your coach is not supportive, find someone who will help you in your quest to take the next step in your athletic career. Big dreams require a bit of support

 Where do I start?   Define:   Short and Long Term Goals   College/University Characteristics   Personal Goals with Parents

  Educational Requirements   NCAA D1   Core Curriculum of 13 Academic Courses   With a GPA of 2.5 in core curriculum you need a combined score on the SAT of 820 or a score of 68 on the ACT based on the Division 1 Qualifier Index.   Graduate from high school   NCAA D2   Core Curriculum of 13 Academic Courses   GPA of 2.0 and a 1300 SAT or 18 ACT   Graduate from high school

Educational Requirements   NCAA D3   Based on the eligibility requirements set forth by the member institution and athletic conference.   NAIA   Minimum GPA 2.0   SAT 1300 or ACT 18   Top 50% High School Class

Clearinghouse Registration   What is it?   Division 1 & Division 2 Student Athletes   Registration Process   Know How the System Works   Register on Time

COLLEGE IDENTIFICATION CRITERIA   FIELD OF STUDY   Major   Example: Medical, Law, Education   Type of Program   Example: Innovative, Traditional

COLLEGE IDENTIFICATION CRITERIA   COLLEGE SIZE   Student Population   Range of Courses   Level of Instruction

COLLEGE IDENTIFICATION CRITERIA   ENVIRONMENT   Religious Affiliation   Conservative or Liberal   Coed or Single-Sex   Public or Private   Social

COLLEGE IDENTIFICATION CRITERIA   LOCATION   Distance from home   Rural or Urban   Climate

COLLEGE IDENTIFICATION CRITERIA   FINANCIAL   Scholarship   Example: Athletic or Academic   State/Federal Grants   Student Loans

COLLEGE IDENTIFICATION CRITERIA   SOCCER PROGRAM   NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA   Conference/Schedule   Coaching   History/Direction   Facilities   Current Team   Support System   Additional Factors

Research Colleges and Universities that Match Your Criteria        

Eligibility Rules   A college coach may not have off campus contact with a prospective student athlete until after July 1 of their junior year.   A prospective student athlete may not practice with a D1 team on a campus visit.   A player cannot accept payments for playing on any club team.   A college recruit should not receive any financial rewards for attending an institution outside of a formal scholarship.   Recruitment must be by members of the institution’s academic or athletic staff.   You are allowed five official D1/D2 visits.   All D3 visits are unofficial.   You can receive one phone call a week from a D1 school.

Final Thoughts:   Beginning the college identification process early during your freshman and sophomore years in high school.   Selecting 7-10 compatible college programs base on your needs and ability.   Narrowing the list to you top 3-5 choices by eliminating those programs that are not a good fit for you academically, athletically or financially.   Communicating your abilities directly to college coaches through your resume and cover letter.   Evaluating your options as a student first and an athlete second.   Choosing the one college or university that best fits your needs and abilities. The right choice for you means that it fully meets your objectives for a degree plan and athletic program, all at a cost you and your family can afford.

For any assistance and guidance through your college recruiting/selection process, please contact Coach Sam Haddad at or at Good luck!