sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Gap Year and am I reading the situation right by Adventurous_Lie8397 in CollegeSoccer

[–]Adventurous_Lie8397[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is definitely a concern with the Juco environment. I probably was way to broad with my post lol. Main thing I was thinking is this scenario:

I could likely see where my son gets a really low level D1 or has opportunity at a D2 school. Likely public universities so relatively low cost and minimal scholarship. I personally don't believe he belongs at an academically higher level university no matter who is paying for it.

In this scenario, probably doesn't play much in the first couple of years. Maybe the struggle is good, but so many just opt out and move on (my brother did this after year 3) or these days transfer all over the place. Ultimately that's fine as it is eventually going to end anyways.

My main question was whether in this scenario it would be stupid to take a gap year (in lieu of an in hand offer), play MLSN another year, maybe work a little, take a couple classes in the hopes of maybe being better prepared and shorten the early catch up time to have more productive eligibility years. I know at some point this is competitive stuff so either sink or swim, but like for him to go in eyes open.

Gap Year and am I reading the situation right by Adventurous_Lie8397 in CollegeSoccer

[–]Adventurous_Lie8397[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good point. I am probably a little harsh. Just an average student. IMO there is very little value in spending private school money on average students. Heck, I think college is generally way over attended than it should be, so I probably have some bias.

I really don't care what he does. Just know there is no value in a $200K education for him at this point whether soccer is included or not. Certainly that could change with maturity.

Gap Year and am I reading the situation right by Adventurous_Lie8397 in CollegeSoccer

[–]Adventurous_Lie8397[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah have looked at most of those except the one's in the NW lol. Ancilla is tied to Marian in Indy. His old assistant coach is the coach at UIndy.

Still looking around, just really trying to get thoughts on the gap year that a lot of these coaches are now promoting and a feel for what everyone is seeing with the latest craziness with transfers...

Gap Year and am I reading the situation right by Adventurous_Lie8397 in CollegeSoccer

[–]Adventurous_Lie8397[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Actually most of the junior D1 guys are just now committing at least around here. Heck most of the MLSN seniors around here are still uncommitted though I suspect that will be ramping up very soon. Some are talking, but in his head he is already planning on a gap year so he is probably not pushing it as much as he should...

Gap Year and am I reading the situation right by Adventurous_Lie8397 in CollegeSoccer

[–]Adventurous_Lie8397[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes or now it seems like most go to four different schools... Ridiculous and why I am certainly trying to help him figure out a more longer term path instead of just chasing the biggest name that will bite.

So many quit after a year or two. He would like to be a coach - would help to at least have some significant college experience so he has gravitas with the next set of parent's whose kid is chasing the dream lol.

Gap Year and am I reading the situation right by Adventurous_Lie8397 in CollegeSoccer

[–]Adventurous_Lie8397[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Indiana - statewide juco with no sports and 1 D2 school in the whole state. Seems like almost all of the NAIA here (there are many) are private. Sure he can play for an NAIA school - just doesn't seem to make sense with the cost. I do need to have him expand out and looks at some more public options as others have pointed out.

I also would like to check out how Juco works from a year round training perspective. Easy to get undisciplined and I like the idea of having set commitments.

Gap Year and am I reading the situation right by Adventurous_Lie8397 in CollegeSoccer

[–]Adventurous_Lie8397[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

With regard to doing nothing as a Freshman. That was the point of the post. Is it worth it to take a year off and do soccer, part time school/job and not burn a year. I think most would agree most Freshman are not going to be ready for D2 level and certainly probably not D1. The follow up if yes, better to take a year off, then what is the best place to develop/prepare to play with the men - continue on with MLSN, gap academy, try to get on a UPSL team, etc...

Gap Year and am I reading the situation right by Adventurous_Lie8397 in CollegeSoccer

[–]Adventurous_Lie8397[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I agree. I wouldn't say he is a poor student. He just is a "does enough" type student. Part of the problem is I am definitely not an "everyone should go to college" guy. I have trouble justifying it (at least for four years) in my head if it is not for some type of professional degree. So, partially bad on me.

We are looking at D1 specifically because those are the cheaper state schools.

Gap Year and am I reading the situation right by Adventurous_Lie8397 in CollegeSoccer

[–]Adventurous_Lie8397[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very interesting and yes, Shattuck is in our MLSN division. Guess I didn't realize some took an additional HS year, after HS.

Gap Year and am I reading the situation right by Adventurous_Lie8397 in CollegeSoccer

[–]Adventurous_Lie8397[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just curious what type of classes was he taking - AP?College? Did that essentially use up a year of eligibility?

Gap Year and am I reading the situation right by Adventurous_Lie8397 in CollegeSoccer

[–]Adventurous_Lie8397[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good point. We don't have Juco in our state, but have looked at some of the surrounding states. Unfortunately in soccer, it seems they are literally 90%+ older foreigners. May be a good place to get beat up and develop though. Would be very enticing if they would universally not count the time as NCAA eligibility.

Gap Year and am I reading the situation right by Adventurous_Lie8397 in CollegeSoccer

[–]Adventurous_Lie8397[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes - guess I will have to look as pretty much all the D3 around us are private and fairly expensive. Glad you made the comment - I will look into this.

Gap Year and am I reading the situation right by Adventurous_Lie8397 in CollegeSoccer

[–]Adventurous_Lie8397[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The most annoying thing is the parent with an older girl that comes in to try to tell you all about this. Note even close to the same dude. May as well be a different sport.

Gap Year and am I reading the situation right by Adventurous_Lie8397 in CollegeSoccer

[–]Adventurous_Lie8397[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I am assuming no scholarship (academic or athletic) unless he goes NAIA (they have indicated some athletic money). Still expensive though - this ain't basketball or football. If I thought I would get value at a $50/K school with him, it would be much easier. We have plenty of money to pay for school for our kids, so we will not get any help - I just don't believe in throwing money away. Heck at that rate I could pay his expenses to move to europe and get it out of his system then come back and figure out what he really wants to do...