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The College Soccer Experience (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter SwampDawg
- Start date
This is PHENOMENAL...please keep the updates coming! I have a sophomore daughter who plays ECNL soccer. We're obviously a touch early on the recruitment loop, but we've seen enough schools on soccer trips for her to have an idea of what she's looking for in a college. She's been in a touch with a few D II schools because they can talk to her, did an ID camp or two, and she really liked the feel of the smaller schools/D III places with strong soccer programs. I'm looking forward to your journey!
B Maverick
Footballguy
I was a walk-on at a D1 school MANY MANY MANY seasons ago. Played sparingly my first few years, multiple positions. Do have some great memories though. And some good friends, one of which plays Sunday league with me still.
We had to run the "cooper test" which was 2 miles in 12 mins. Very few came into camp in shape and made it. I was usually about a 1/2 to 1/4 lap slow. Hated it.
One thing I wish I had found was the discipline to stay consistent with an offseason workouts and a strength/conditioning routine. Back then weights weren't a big deal and with no football team there was not a big training room. I am sure they will have that laid out for your son, but my school was a lesser program even at D1.
Also, my sister did get a scholarship to play at the same school I was at. Solid frosh season but did not really get along with the coach. Ended up leaving, going back home to change courses. Ended up coaching at the club and JC level. Still plays as well.
Sadly my daughter retired and will not be pursuing college ball.
We had to run the "cooper test" which was 2 miles in 12 mins. Very few came into camp in shape and made it. I was usually about a 1/2 to 1/4 lap slow. Hated it.
One thing I wish I had found was the discipline to stay consistent with an offseason workouts and a strength/conditioning routine. Back then weights weren't a big deal and with no football team there was not a big training room. I am sure they will have that laid out for your son, but my school was a lesser program even at D1.
Also, my sister did get a scholarship to play at the same school I was at. Solid frosh season but did not really get along with the coach. Ended up leaving, going back home to change courses. Ended up coaching at the club and JC level. Still plays as well.
Sadly my daughter retired and will not be pursuing college ball.
El Floppo
Footballguy
excited to follow along!
Also a former D1 player- recruited by a lot of schools, chose the one that I thought was the best fit even if the coach knew me the least (across the country and had never seen me play)- top 10 soccer school, always in the NCAAs, a couple years off having a Herman winner and losing in the NCAA championship game in ET after an undefeated season. completely different era (late 80s, early 90) in terms of what D1 soccer looked like, especially in the Ivies where we weren't even allowed to play once the season ended.
my era... not so hot. but a couple NCAA round of 16s. and it turned out my coach really didn't like me- I was from CA and had long hair just before that became more normalized, so he assumed- despite what I did on the field- that I was a flake. subbed into my first couple games as a frosh and got a goal and assist, but his opinion was set and I was basically rooted to the bench. it was rough going from auto-start, one of the best around, to riding pine without much PT at all. had to adjust my mind set about the sport repeatedly over the year and years, until the preseason of my senior year when I'd basically written it off and was just going to have a fun last year... ended up being a starter and going to round of 16 before a brutal last second goal eliminated us.
I think mental and emotional confidence and flexibility are key. of course you have to put in the work physically- but those two factors are complete wildcards but that still remain in your control.
lol... yeah- the cooper test...ugh. I was always just over 11mins, so all ok- but that thing sucked. never did the beep test- after my time.
Also a former D1 player- recruited by a lot of schools, chose the one that I thought was the best fit even if the coach knew me the least (across the country and had never seen me play)- top 10 soccer school, always in the NCAAs, a couple years off having a Herman winner and losing in the NCAA championship game in ET after an undefeated season. completely different era (late 80s, early 90) in terms of what D1 soccer looked like, especially in the Ivies where we weren't even allowed to play once the season ended.
my era... not so hot. but a couple NCAA round of 16s. and it turned out my coach really didn't like me- I was from CA and had long hair just before that became more normalized, so he assumed- despite what I did on the field- that I was a flake. subbed into my first couple games as a frosh and got a goal and assist, but his opinion was set and I was basically rooted to the bench. it was rough going from auto-start, one of the best around, to riding pine without much PT at all. had to adjust my mind set about the sport repeatedly over the year and years, until the preseason of my senior year when I'd basically written it off and was just going to have a fun last year... ended up being a starter and going to round of 16 before a brutal last second goal eliminated us.
I think mental and emotional confidence and flexibility are key. of course you have to put in the work physically- but those two factors are complete wildcards but that still remain in your control.
lol... yeah- the cooper test...ugh. I was always just over 11mins, so all ok- but that thing sucked. never did the beep test- after my time.
⚡DEADHEAD⚡
Footballguy
Thanks for firing this up. Stoked for him!
ECNL-RL 7th grader. Among the top players on his team despite puberty not kicking in yet. Plays #10. ECNL team is strong, so moving up is a goal that will require hard work.
Black dot.
ECNL-RL 7th grader. Among the top players on his team despite puberty not kicking in yet. Plays #10. ECNL team is strong, so moving up is a goal that will require hard work.
Black dot.
It's amazing how this part is not stressed enough in this process. Being strong emotionally and having the ability to be flexible is key to going up in pond size (high school to college). Confidence and not being afraid to fail are other huge benefits if you can do that as well.
The mental part is so huge especially with moving away from your comfort zone
El Floppo
Footballguy
The Dreaded Marco
Footballguy
I played D3 soccer in the late 80s----so way different than now.
My main struggle as a freshman was balancing the academics with the athletics, not to mention the freedom of the social life in my first year on my own. I imagine that isn't too much different nowadays.
I'm sure your son will do a better job with that balancing act than I did my freshman year. I managed to pull it together and did fairly well but it can be a challenge for an 18 to 20 year old.
I wish him the best in both his academic and athletic endeavors.
My main struggle as a freshman was balancing the academics with the athletics, not to mention the freedom of the social life in my first year on my own. I imagine that isn't too much different nowadays.
I'm sure your son will do a better job with that balancing act than I did my freshman year. I managed to pull it together and did fairly well but it can be a challenge for an 18 to 20 year old.
I wish him the best in both his academic and athletic endeavors.
Thanks, and will do. The early Power Five commitments have been crazy to watch. The team above hers (so 2009s...juniors...) have probably half of their team committed already. The players are very good, but you gotta wonder how many "due to unforeseen circumstances, I'm reopening my recruitment" posts there will be a year or two from now. There's no way all those coaches are around, plus who knows what happens in the time between the verbal commit and signing that paper.
What did you guys do in terms of ID camps? It's hard for me to not be skeptical with them. My daughter went to two, but both were D II schools, so the coach was able to communicate in advance and after. Those seemed worth the money. Playing ECNL on the girls side obviously gets kids on mailing lists where you get form letters/emails inviting you to all sorts of things, but driving/flying around the country to do them at this stage seems like a waster of time and money. Again, though, I'm old and cranky.
I am more familiar with the baseball side of things but have found that school specific showcases seem to be much better than general showcases. Too many general showcases are money grabs. The school specific ones are money grabs as well so I wouldn't just go to "any school" showcase. If there are schools the kid is interested in going to then go to those school showcases. It will give the kid the chance to see how the coach/program run things and likely talk to the coach themselves. At least for baseball these are typically a fundraiser to pay assistant coach salaries so they try and blast the invites but if you really want to go to the school it is a good way to meet the coach in a setting they are looking at players doing things they want to see.
El Floppo
Footballguy
Was just talking to one of our HS parents with soccer daughters...theyre hitting up the local college camps for those reasons, as well as getting the kid a feel for the campus.
My club coach through HS was also the coach at USF- at the time the winningest coach in college soccer history. My Jr and Sr year i had him talk to the east coast coaches i hadnt met (like my eventual choice) since we didnt have any if the stuff kids have now. It was a real blessing/advantage.
This is so key and probably one of the hardest things for parents and kids to honestly evaluate. The first step in any recruitment journey has to be an honest assessment of the players talent level. Without that you are going to be barking up the wrong tree way too much.
Brunell4MVP
Footballguy
That's awesome. It's fun to be part of a team in college.
Having played two D1 college non-revenue sports (golf and tennis), all I can say is have fun with it. Both you and him.
I think it's great parents come to events now. Back when I played parents were non-involved. Occasionally one would show up at a tourney or match, but otherwise there was limited parent interaction. Most had other kids or jobs that made travel too tough considering where we travelled to. I think it's nice parents form a bond with each other these days.
For him, just play the sport to the best he can and have fun with teammates. It's tough to keep up the level of focus and practice, especially with classes, girls, parties, etd. And there's the obvi frustrations of being on a non-revenue team and getting limited funding. I got overly annoyed by it. So my advice not that you asked for it is for him to have fun getting better every day and hanging with good friends. Which it seems like he's doing so far.
Can't wait to read more about his success.
Having played two D1 college non-revenue sports (golf and tennis), all I can say is have fun with it. Both you and him.
I think it's great parents come to events now. Back when I played parents were non-involved. Occasionally one would show up at a tourney or match, but otherwise there was limited parent interaction. Most had other kids or jobs that made travel too tough considering where we travelled to. I think it's nice parents form a bond with each other these days.
For him, just play the sport to the best he can and have fun with teammates. It's tough to keep up the level of focus and practice, especially with classes, girls, parties, etd. And there's the obvi frustrations of being on a non-revenue team and getting limited funding. I got overly annoyed by it. So my advice not that you asked for it is for him to have fun getting better every day and hanging with good friends. Which it seems like he's doing so far.
Can't wait to read more about his success.
El Floppo
Footballguy
coopersdad
Footballguy
Don't follow soccer much, but I do watch my nephew play goalie at Akron...........supposedly he's one of the top goalies in the nation.
He and his brother moved from their hometown to Minnesota for HS to play soccer. As a baseball family w/ 2 boys who played(ing) D1 baseball, when I heard this I thought WTH, that would be like me sending my kids to South Dakota to play baseball. But it worked out for both of them.
Good luck to all and have a safe season.
He and his brother moved from their hometown to Minnesota for HS to play soccer. As a baseball family w/ 2 boys who played(ing) D1 baseball, when I heard this I thought WTH, that would be like me sending my kids to South Dakota to play baseball. But it worked out for both of them.
Good luck to all and have a safe season.
B Maverick
Footballguy
Its very easy to get discouraged early, esp if the results aren't there for the team and you aren't getting playing time. Freshman have to earn their place for sure. Keep working and hopefully he'll get a shot.
There is also a huge difference in size coming in as an 18 year old when playing vs 21-22 year olds. My first season, I was 5'11/180lbs and looking out at Brad Friedel, all 6'4 casting a huge shadow in that UCLA goal. It was crazy the difference in size and speed from HS to college...
There is also a huge difference in size coming in as an 18 year old when playing vs 21-22 year olds. My first season, I was 5'11/180lbs and looking out at Brad Friedel, all 6'4 casting a huge shadow in that UCLA goal. It was crazy the difference in size and speed from HS to college...
Beef Ravioli Part 2
Footballguy
Update?
sunnyveib126
Footballguy
Known for its intensity, skill, and drama, the AFCON 2025 will once again deliver world-class football and fierce competition among Africa’s biggest stars.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
looks like a nice place to see a game on a fall day
Not to be a Debbie Downer...but share this story with your kids and encourage them to speak to you if uncomfortable things happen. The kids playing college sports see these people as gods. I won't go into the reality of what most of them really are, but as you see from Swamp's post above, they put so little time into communicating honestly with kids about their situation. Be a leader of of men and foster open/honest communication and the you might be surprised how they perform for you.
www.espn.com
Ex-NC State athletes allege sexual abuse in suit
Fourteen former NC State male athletes have filed a civil lawsuit in state court alleging sexual abuse under the guise of treatment and harassment by the Wolfpack's former director of sports medicine.
2026semanasanta
Footballguy
As the countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule begins, football lovers are eager to explore the full schedule. This expanded tournament, hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico, brings a brand-new format and a packed lineup of group-stage and knockout matches.Not to be a Debbie Downer...but share this story with your kids and encourage them to speak to you if uncomfortable things happen. The kids playing college sports see these people as gods. I won't go into the reality of what most of them really are, but as you see from Swamp's post above, they put so little time into communicating honestly with kids about their situation. Be a leader of of men and foster open/honest communication and the you might be surprised how they perform for you.
Ex-NC State athletes allege sexual abuse in suit
Fourteen former NC State male athletes have filed a civil lawsuit in state court alleging sexual abuse under the guise of treatment and harassment by the Wolfpack's former director of sports medicine.
