Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

The Division III Stigma

Collapse
X
  •  
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    The Division III Stigma

    https://www.nesoccerjournal.com/divi...iting-stigmas/

    It's a paid subscription, so some won't be able to read it. A couple of snippets caught my eye:

    Naturally, one might ask what informs and fuels this perception. In part, Kim said the club soccer environment can encourage players to pursue the D-I path. For better or for worse, families – prospective and current ones – can assume that their membership results in going to a certain type of school.



    “Clubs use Division I signings as a marketing tool to try and attract kids from other clubs to them, and then you get people who are entrenched in the idea that Division I is always a better option,” Kim said. “Sometimes, club coaches steer players away from a Division III school that might be a good option just because it could win the club the most recognition as a producer of players at certain schools.”

    Club and college soccer are also inextricably linked, systemically dependent on one another to recruit and thrive. It’s a years-long funnel where players enter clubs in gradeschool and progress up the ranks to college soccer. All along, in the pay-to-play culture that defines American soccer, families can view their child’s experience as an investment.

    #2
    I just read it as well; JD comes off well, at least in here, as he mentions they put players down either path, depending on what they feel is best. I'm not typically one to defend him, but kudos in this regard.

    I do think the article sums up much of the negative commentary on here. Too many parents are too invested, emotionally and financially, in their kid's game that they are losing their shlt over it. Concerns about other teams and clubs and leagues makes them lose all rational thought. They are spending their days shltting on everyone else in an effort to help them justify their own decisions.

    Comment


      #3
      You could just copy the whole article and post it, no?

      Of course D1 is a marketing tool for clubs. They know college is unaffordable for many families (even for many their target market) and families are desperate to find ways to help pay for college. They also know being a supported athlete can help their student athlete into a stronger school than without that support. Clubs can't control those facts of life. Yes they utilize it, but it's also a business. You go with your strongest story.

      Its really up to parents, the paying customers who support the industry, who could shift things around. Stop paying outrageous fees and travel and have their kids focus on academics. But in the highly competitive world of college admissions everyone is looking for that hook to get their kid in - music, academics, sports whatever.

      As for the thread title of a stigma it's hard to comment on since you didn't post the entire article. Plenty of soccer families are more than happy to have their kids play D3 - either because it's a good fit for them soccerwise, works with their academic goals, whatever. They could care less what others think and aren't caught up in the D1 bragging rights. Other families can't let go of D1, even when it sometimes isn't the best place for their athlete or student

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
        You could just copy the whole article and post it, no?

        Of course D1 is a marketing tool for clubs. They know college is unaffordable for many families (even for many their target market) and families are desperate to find ways to help pay for college. They also know being a supported athlete can help their student athlete into a stronger school than without that support. Clubs can't control those facts of life. Yes they utilize it, but it's also a business. You go with your strongest story.

        Its really up to parents, the paying customers who support the industry, who could shift things around. Stop paying outrageous fees and travel and have their kids focus on academics. But in the highly competitive world of college admissions everyone is looking for that hook to get their kid in - music, academics, sports whatever.

        As for the thread title of a stigma it's hard to comment on since you didn't post the entire article. Plenty of soccer families are more than happy to have their kids play D3 - either because it's a good fit for them soccerwise, works with their academic goals, whatever. They could care less what others think and aren't caught up in the D1 bragging rights. Other families can't let go of D1, even when it sometimes isn't the best place for their athlete or student
        Not going to post an entire article that is behind a paywall. That's the entire point of paid subscriptions....

        Comment


          #5
          D3

          My player is going D3 and we could not be happier. We had options of playing for mid-tier D1 programs or upper end (soccer wise) D3 programs. We are paying the tuition either way so we focused on the right fit educationally, location, social and soccer. Our player is not going pro so we are focused on just finding the right fit for the next 4 years.

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
            Not going to post an entire article that is behind a paywall. That's the entire point of paid subscriptions....
            Then don't expect insightful commentary without full content

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
              My player is going D3 and we could not be happier. We had options of playing for mid-tier D1 programs or upper end (soccer wise) D3 programs. We are paying the tuition either way so we focused on the right fit educationally, location, social and soccer. Our player is not going pro so we are focused on just finding the right fit for the next 4 years.
              The D1 enthusiasts will tell you 1) your kid isn't good enough 2) you were a sucker to have paid all that money and not gotten some kind of ROI. I'm not agreeing with them but that is what "some" see it as. Most soccer families are more than happy with that kind of outcome - good soccer and academic fit, regardless of level. If you wind up getting any $ for playing soccer it's like winning the lottery, but no one should go into this expecting some kind of payout,

              Comment


                #8
                D3

                Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                The D1 enthusiasts will tell you 1) your kid isn't good enough 2) you were a sucker to have paid all that money and not gotten some kind of ROI. I'm not agreeing with them but that is what "some" see it as. Most soccer families are more than happy with that kind of outcome - good soccer and academic fit, regardless of level. If you wind up getting any $ for playing soccer it's like winning the lottery, but no one should go into this expecting some kind of payout,
                There is no money from an ROI perspective for mid-tier D1 recruits. Our player has played his whole life and wants to play 4 more years. I consider it a success to make it this far and am happy.

                Comment


                  #9
                  D3

                  Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                  The D1 enthusiasts will tell you 1) your kid isn't good enough 2) you were a sucker to have paid all that money and not gotten some kind of ROI. I'm not agreeing with them but that is what "some" see it as. Most soccer families are more than happy with that kind of outcome - good soccer and academic fit, regardless of level. If you wind up getting any $ for playing soccer it's like winning the lottery, but no one should go into this expecting some kind of payout,
                  I never understood the D1 or bust mentality. There are so many mediocre/poor D1 programs. Why does a player want (if they are not getting a free ride) to commit 40 hours a week to a sport and end up not being competitive for 4 years vs playing in D3, getting tons of playing time, competing for a league title every year and getting the occasional NCAA tourney bid.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    These types of articles oversimplify things and turn a bunch of unrelated truths into a conspiracy. I’m sure there are some players who are influenced solely by their club coach to go a certain coach, but they are probably a tiny minority. Recommendations by parents, friends, teachers, and their own desires are bigger factors in picking a college. And most parents see paying club soccer fees like any other outlay for their kids; it’s to make them better, more rounded individuals who can thrive when they get out on their own. Parents pay for art lessons, band lessons, summer camp, different sports, etc. as an investment in their KID, not a downpayment on college. Very, very few kids playing club soccer will play in college and even fewer still will ever see a scholarship. That’s a fact. NE Soccer Journal should write about that.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                      I never understood the D1 or bust mentality. There are so many mediocre/poor D1 programs. Why does a player want (if they are not getting a free ride) to commit 40 hours a week to a sport and end up not being competitive for 4 years vs playing in D3, getting tons of playing time, competing for a league title every year and getting the occasional NCAA tourney bid.
                      op here - I mean I get it in some instances, especially if a player can get some good money for it and it's the only way they can go to school (or at least not come out of school 100K in debt). But like I said you shouldn't go into competitive soccer with that expectation or even a hope really. when you sign up for ECNL or whatever it's typically in middle school or very early high school. You've little idea how it all works, what the odds are or if your kids skills and goals are realistic.

                      In all my years in youth soccer and having 3 players I've especially seen boys more fixated on D1 than girls. I've even seen some turn down better schools just for the promise of playing more at a lower level program. That saddens me.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                        The D1 enthusiasts will tell you 1) your kid isn't good enough 2) you were a sucker to have paid all that money and not gotten some kind of ROI. I'm not agreeing with them but that is what "some" see it as. Most soccer families are more than happy with that kind of outcome - good soccer and academic fit, regardless of level. If you wind up getting any $ for playing soccer it's like winning the lottery, but no one should go into this expecting some kind of payout,
                        Honestly, I haven't seen any D1 enthusiast attack a D3 choice by any player. What I have seen, and quite honestly have done myself, is call out the D3 Apologist Parent who COULD have said "We are so excited, <SchoolName> is a perfect fit " but instead chose to lead with "She had D1 offers...". That is internal insecurity, it is not external aggression

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                          Honestly, I haven't seen any D1 enthusiast attack a D3 choice by any player. What I have seen, and quite honestly have done myself, is call out the D3 Apologist Parent who COULD have said "We are so excited, <SchoolName> is a perfect fit " but instead chose to lead with "She had D1 offers...". That is internal insecurity, it is not external aggression
                          It's also oftentimes FACT. Lots of kids look at all their options, learn and then make a decision they think is best for them.

                          If you haven't seen D1 parents attack D3 then you haven't been on this board for more than a few weeks. Thankfully one poster who went hard and often at this debate seems to have fallen off the radar. The board is better without him

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                            These types of articles oversimplify things and turn a bunch of unrelated truths into a conspiracy. I’m sure there are some players who are influenced solely by their club coach to go a certain coach, but they are probably a tiny minority. Recommendations by parents, friends, teachers, and their own desires are bigger factors in picking a college. And most parents see paying club soccer fees like any other outlay for their kids; it’s to make them better, more rounded individuals who can thrive when they get out on their own. Parents pay for art lessons, band lessons, summer camp, different sports, etc. as an investment in their KID, not a downpayment on college. Very, very few kids playing club soccer will play in college and even fewer still will ever see a scholarship. That’s a fact. NE Soccer Journal should write about that.
                            Most scholarships are only imaginary recruiting tools for lying big club coaches who have nothing else to offer the players and families so dangle that as if there is any real chacne of happening - maybe 1 in 2000 players - wake up people

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                              It's also oftentimes FACT. Lots of kids look at all their options, learn and then make a decision they think is best for them.

                              If you haven't seen D1 parents attack D3 then you haven't been on this board for more than a few weeks. Thankfully one poster who went hard and often at this debate seems to have fallen off the radar. The board is better without him
                              I've been here long enough to know BTDT, and his far worse IMHO "I See BTNT" follower.
                              I stand by my statement. I never saw him attack a player's choice. He attacked parents' posturing.

                              Comment

                              Previously entered content was automatically saved. Restore or Discard.
                              Auto-Saved
                              x
                              Insert: Thumbnail Small Medium Large Fullsize Remove  
                              x
                              Working...
                              X