1. Philadelphia Soccer Club Student Athlete Guide To Playing Intercollegiate Soccer Bill O’Neill Technical Director Philadelphia Soccer Club

2. Step Up and Stand Out! If you want to play intercollegiate soccer, it all starts with you! PSC Coaches and Board of Directors will do everything they can to facilitate that desire. Talk to your coach, techinical director and college guidance counselor about your interest in playing college athletics.

3. Do I really want to play for an intercollegiate soccer team? Why? Are you prepared physically and mentally to do everything you need to do to find the right academic and athletic “fit”? Do you understand how being a recruited athlete will affect your college process? Do you understand the commitment of being part of an intercollegiate athletic team?

4. I want to play intercollegiate sports…Now What? Ensure you are NCAA eligible by registering with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Make sure you are taking NCAA approved coursework. Take standardized test. SAT/ACT scores are necessary for coaches to determine eligibility. Visit Web-sites of Schools you are interested in attending. Academically and Athletically. Send introduction letter to the coach via e-mail. Fill out college recruitment form on-line. If available. Send resume of academic and athletic accomplishments to coach.

5. It all starts with “You”! Self Recruit, you are your own best advocate! Return all questionnaires promptly. Email more, but call often – Don’t wait to be called! Send college coaches game schedule Send any recent accomplishments as the season goes along. Attend College Camps and Showcases. Don’t be swayed, know what you want!

6. What College Coaches Look for in a Student Athlete Physically * Excellence in 5 tools of the game * Condition of body * Strengths & Weaknesses of body * Potential for growth * Is this player raw or polished? * Project how good this player can become * Is he/she a worker or does he/she look lazy. * How much effort does this player expend to play at the top of his/her game? * Ceiling...how much better can he get given physical body given? Mentally * Alertness (being in the game) * Knowledge of the game * Ability to react correctly * Intuit nature (does the game come easy) * Ability to focus * Ability to rise to the challenge * Does he/she know all that he/she should know about the game and what it takes to succeed? * How often does he/she react correctly to a situation? Emotionally/Socially * Cordial interaction with coaches and teammates * Attitude towards authority figures\coaches and teammates * Signs of misdirected anger * Proper responsibility taking * Does he make others around him better or worse? * Is he/she a cause or a cure for trouble and disruptions? * Is he/she a comfortable leader? Academically Has he/she performed well in the classroom? SAT/ACT Scores NCAA Approved Coursework Transcripts sent to NCAA Eligibility Center Worked Hard and got the best grades they could!

7. What College Coaches Look for in a Student Athlete Physically Condition of body Strengths & Weaknesses of body Potential for growth Is this player raw or polished? Project how good this player can become Is he/she a worker or does he/she look lazy. How much effort does this player expend to play at the top of his/her game? Ceiling...how much better can he get given physical body given?

8. What College Coaches Look for in a Student Athlete Mentally Alertness (being in the game) Knowledge of the game Ability to react correctly Intuit nature (does the game come easy) Ability to focus Ability to rise to the challenge Does he/she know all that he/she should know about the game and what it takes to succeed? How often does he/she react correctly to a situation?

9. What College Coaches Look for in a Student Athlete Emotionally and Socially Cordial interaction with coaches and teammates Attitude towards authority figures\coaches and teammates Signs of misdirected anger Proper responsibility taking Does he/she make others around them better or worse? Is he/she a cause or a cure for trouble and disruptions? Is he/she a comfortable leader

10. What College Coaches Look for in a Student Athlete Academically Has he/she performed well in the classroom? SAT/ACT Scores NCAA Approved Coursework Transcripts sent to NCAA Eligibility Center Worked Hard and got the best grades they could!

11. Parents Role! Make sure that this is HIS/HER dream and not YOURS! Have a coach evaluate and give you an HONEST opinion of your son's or daughter’s talent. Set realistic goals for your child. Don't put him/her in a situation where they are destined to fail. Develop a plan to help him/her succeed at the level he/she is capable of playing. Do your homework. Know what is needed and be well educated in the process. Investigate. Investigate every showcase, recruiter, school, coach and program that shows interest in your daughter/son. Research. Know the recruiting rules. Take a long-term approach to your decision making. Always look at what is best for your child's future. Help your child prioritize their life. What are the things that are truly important to them and to your family?

12. Time to Plan, Juniors! Winter/Spring/Summer  Talk with coach and college guidance about interest.  Send out Introduction Letters.  Send out Resume.  Follow up with emails and calls. Spring/Summer/Fall  College Visits  Meet with College Coaches  Meet players on the team  Check out campus and facilities  Attend Camps and Showcases  Complete NCAA Eligibility Center Registration.

13. You Run the Show! Don’t Assume No Call means No Interest! Don’t Assume Coach Support means Guaranteed Admission! Work with your parents, not against! Be a Team! Don’t sever ties with coaches too early! Don’t Let Coaches Dictate Your Priorities! Lead the Dance! Don’t Be a Wallflower!

14. Take Your Game to the Next Level!