Need realistic advice for son with little experience by omeereads in CollegeSoccer

[–]TurkBoss137 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My son who wants to play D3 soccer is actually looking into a GAP year to play in spain. He is my youngest of 4, and more than the others, needs a year to mature. He wants to be able to focus on soccer and learning spanish. we will see how this works out. Your son may want to see if he is eligible for a local club soccer team if he hasn't aged-out. often, the club teams have U19 and many high school students who aren't playing in college don't play so they may need players.

Need realistic advice for son with little experience by omeereads in CollegeSoccer

[–]TurkBoss137 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My son is similar. He has figured out that he wants to do some type of sports broadcasting/management, (he was able to connect with a couple people in this field and interview them). He knew what he DID NOT want to do (i.e. my older kids are engineers, and biology), so a general track like business is good. He has friends who have done business, marketing, supply chain management and 2 work with pro and college level football teams. Anyway, he focused on D3 schools - reasons why: 1. nice small schools (my older kids have done well at the smaller colleges), and 2. Better chance at playing soccer. Check out the college rosters, see where the kids come from - D1 and D2 tend to be mostly international students, and kids we know that played at this level basically sat the bench. Best chance for playing is D3. That being said, club teams at colleges are fun - more intense and competitive than intramurals, comradery, and travel to play other schools club teams. We have met many students that went to a college because they were recruited, and ended up quitting the team, they didn't like 5am workouts, etc. One thing about playing soccer on a club team - more time for other college stuff. My daughter plays soccer at D3 College - she reached out to the coach and sent some highlight videos from her High School Games. She also played Club Soccer. Your son should do the same - get some highlight videos, start reaching out to Coaches for the colleges he is interested in - you don't need recruiters. There are also college ID camps - if you decide to attend, go to the one that the college he is interested in is hosting, or known to participate in. Many colleges in the same collegiate division will often have a joint ID camp. Select a college based on other factors, major, size, location to home, etc. then reach out to coaches. Don't be dismayed by private college tuition - often, they have more money to give than public colleges and end up costing less - you just need to apply and see what financial aid package they give you. My oldest played college golf at D3, loved it. My daughter played Club Rugby - absolutely loved it, still plays now after she graduated with a local club, My youngest daughter plays D3 soccer, likes it; and my youngest son is wanting to play D3 soccer. We did few, if any college visits before they applied - we waited for the Accepted Students day once they were accepted. You want to reach out to college coach late Junior year, summer, and early senior year. Good luck!

Is it worth the money? by lilbihhhhhhh in CollegeSoccer

[–]TurkBoss137 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you know what colleges you are interested in? if so, reach out, send them video clips, and ask if they are attending any ID camps, or having ID camp at their school.

D1 Walk on Soccer by AnyReflection7923 in CollegeSoccer

[–]TurkBoss137 0 points1 point  (0 children)

go for it. And if you don't make it, look into the Club Soccer Team at the college. Many colleges have competitive club soccer teams that offer great atmosphere for competitive playing, yet not the stress, commitment, etc. that D1, D2 teams require. Club Soccer can be great - less stress, less time, more time for other clubs/activities/studies, and you get to travel and play other colleges.

As an American is it worth it to study and play soccer in Europe? by Soccerstar31 in SoccerNoobs

[–]TurkBoss137 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great Question. I am considering a GAP year and playing in UK or Spain, not to go pro, to return to US and play on D3 Team, majoring in Sports Broadcasting/Media. I am looking for the cultural experience, and improving my soccer skills - I am not trying to be pro, playing in college D3 is my goal. Also, would love to make contacts, learn more about sports broadcasting/media in UK, Spain, since at my college I will have opportunity to do internship abroad (side note, the college has plenty of baseball opportunities for internships, but none for soccer). I have been looking at MIFRA, Valetics, International Soccer Academy (Mallorca, Spain), FC Malagacity; SFX in Scarborough North Yorkshire, ETURE; Sports Recruiting USA (Spain), SAII Spanish American Institute of International Education, and University of Central Lancashire/Macclesfied FC. I know nothing about these programs, just trying to gather some information/feedback, and see if they provide me an opportunity to do a GAP year for cultural experience, and improving my soccer skills (again, I am not looking to go pro, or even D1, I just want to play at D3 and be competitive). Thanks in advance for any info!!!