2008 COLLEGE RECRUITING SEMINAR

State of Collegiate Soccer High Demand for college soccer in the United States Division I Women Division II Women Division III Women NAIA Women services/championships/Qualifcation_Plans/qual_plans_pdf/WomensSoccerQP.pdf services/championships/Qualifcation_Plans/qual_plans_pdf/WomensSoccerQP.pdf Division I Men Division II Men NCAA Sports Sponsorship NCAA Sports Sponsorship Division III Men NCAA Sports Sponsorship NCAA Sports Sponsorship NAIA Men services/championships/Qualifcation_Plans/qual_plans_pdf/MensSoccerQP.pdf services/championships/Qualifcation_Plans/qual_plans_pdf/MensSoccerQP.pdf

Division Differences Division I (Larger Schools, Major Conferences)  More Scholarship Money  Larger Operating Budgets  More Resources for the Student-Athletes  Facilities  More Time Commitment Division II  Offer Athletic Scholarship  Smaller School  Falls Right in the Middle of Division I and III in How Program Operates  Senior Recruits Allowed to Workout with College Team

Division Differences (cont.) Division III  No Athletic Scholarship  Much Smaller Schools  More Emphasis on Academics  Out of Season Rules Much Different than DI and DII NAIA  No Governing Body  No Rules for Recruiting (Contacts, Visits, etc…)  Athletic Scholarships Available  Fit for Student-Athlete in the Middle for both Academics and Athletics

The Recruiting Process Misconception: “Schools will recruit me.” Truth: Most players/parents end up recruiting the school.

The Recruiting Process Step 1 – Research Schools  Size and location, academics  Quality of soccer program, coach, roster size and grade breakdown Step 2 – Make List of Potential Schools  Include a few long shots, but majority of realistic choices

The Recruiting Process Step 3 – Contact Coach  is usually most effective  Inform coach of schedule for high school or club  Be sure to put jersey number, jersey colors, potential positions, field number, and opponent Step 4 – Set up a College Visit  Official Visit – Paid for by the school Allowed only five Can start after July 15 going into Senior year of h.s.  Unofficial Visit: Paid for on your own Unlimited Can take them anytime  Alert the coach that you are coming and request meeting  Tour the campus, meet with admissions, etc…

The Recruiting Process Step 5 – Follow up  Let the coach know what you thought of the visit and if you’d like to continue to stay in contact Step 6 – Rank Visits  Keep a personal reflection after each visit

Recruiting Rules A prospective student-athlete can call coach at anytime Coach can’t call a recruit until after July 15 of senior year in high school, then only once a week A prospective can coach at anytime.

Recruiting Rules A coach can’t approach a recruit or a recruit’s parent at a game until its conclusion or at a tournament until the recruit’s team is completely finished with the tournament. Although a parent or player approaching a coach isn’t entirely illegal, it can be a turn off because it puts the coach in an awkward situation. The coach is technically only supposed to say a brief hello in passing and not carry on a conversation.

When to Start the Process Girls – Recruiting Process Significantly Sped up, especially at Division I  verbal commitments by junior season  Identification starting by sophomore year Reality: should be contacting schools early in junior year and visiting soon after Most schools looking for commitments in summer or early fall of senior year. *Signing Period is first week of February

When to Start the Process Boys – pressure to decide early not as great as girls Identification starts during junior year. Start visits in spring of junior year and in the summer. Signing Date the same.

How to Gain Exposure Club vs. High School  High School for local coaches  Club just easier access and majority of the time is an overall higher level College Showcases  Team profiles ODP Camps (summer, winter, identification) Visits, s, Phone Calls Recruiting Services

What to Send to Coaches 1 page profile sheet usually sufficient Videos  Most effective if coach hasn’t seen you play  Not necessary, unless coach asks for them Schedules – be sure to include jersey number, color, field location, opponent

Coach Smith, Hello, my name is Jane Doe and I play for the U17 Mockingbird Valley Soccer Club team. My graduation year is My jersey number is 17 and I play either outside defender or outside midfielder. I am interested in your soccer and academic program and would like for you to come to one of my games if you are going to be attending either of these tournaments. My team will be wearing white or green. I am going to be in Raleigh NC Friday November 30 - Sunday December 2. My game times are as follows: Friday 11/30/ :50am vs. Internationals, Field Location- WRAL SC Fairway B 02B Saturday 12/1/07 - 1:40pm vs. Dynamo, Field Location- WRAL SC Steak n' Shake #12 Sunday 12/2/07 - 9:20am vs. CASL, Field Location- WRAL SC Eurosport A 16A

Additional Information School Applications  Meet deadlines  Early applications  Reference Letters/High School Counselors NCAA Clearinghouse FAFSA Additional Scholarships

Role of the Parent vs. Player Coaches like to communicate with the player rather than the parent Player should be the one contacting the coach, arranging visits, etc… On a visit, important the player talks to the coach and not just the parent; should come with a list of questions.

Scholarships NCAA Fully Funded Programs  Men = 10 & Women = 14  Those scholarships can be broken down and split up in any way Fair Question to a coach: “Do you see me as a scholarship player?” Majority of soccer players are not on an athletic “full-ride” Athletic Scholarship is a year by year agreement, not a four year agreement Most scholarships are increased before decreased