ECNL Clubs in GDAP

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Of course they do. If you bash strong players that want to play d1 you will get push back and if you bash strong players that want to play d3 you will get push back. This whole argument is nonsense.

Yet posters argue it year in and year out

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Yes. D1 schools are all terrible academically. Duke, Stanford, UCLA....why would anyone want their kid going there?

Tens of thousands of D1 athletes manage the succeed academically and athletically at D1 schools. D3, while somewhat less of an athletic commitment, is still a substantial commitment. Absolutely academic fit is the most important factor, but many athletes actually WANT to play D1 and can do so at excellent schools.

I’m a parent of a high D1 player. All of the talk about the role academic fit plays is nonsense: if your kid is on scholarship they let them know in no uncertain terms that soccer is the reason they are there and their primary responsibility. School is something they do in their precious spare time after they have finished all of their soccer responsibilities. Don’t let anyone on this silly thread con you into thinking otherwise.

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I’m a parent of a high D1 player. All of the talk about the role academic fit plays is nonsense: if your kid is on scholarship they let them know in no uncertain terms that soccer is the reason they are there and their primary responsibility. School is something they do in their precious spare time after they have finished all of their soccer responsibilities. Don’t let anyone on this silly thread con you into thinking otherwise.

Real question. Has that affected your player's choice of major or grad school goals?

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^^

The blanketing of D1 - like its all great is hilarious. At some of these schools the $$ is almost bribery :)

At least the money is coming in, not going out. Never forget that in a non scholarship situation you are paying for the privilege of having some coach usurp their time.

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Real question. Has that affected your player's choice of major or grad school goals?

Of course it does. Impacts everything. If you don’t want that for your kid then why in the world would you be thinking about either the DA or ECNL? Makes no sense. The both are basically vocational pathways.

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Of course it does. Impacts everything. If you don’t want that for your kid then why in the world would you be thinking about either the DA or ECNL? Makes no sense. The both are basically vocational pathways.

They can assist with differentiating a student as they try to gain a spot at a very selective institution. They can also be an extracurricular choice for strong players that enjoy that competitive environment (and are fortunate to be from families able to finance it)

There are talented players that fit in all those categories.

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Plenty of lower D1 and D2 schools filled with NPL players, and get $$. No shame in that either. Not everyone aims for top D1 soccer schools. Every kid and family is different.

Yup. Our top NPL playing daughter just got a full ride to a D2 school. She’s got a slight learning disability that kept her grades around B average so although she could have played at high D3, her academics were not ever getting her in so this was her path, and it worked perfectly for us. I love how people on this website love to paint with such broad brushes, but there is an entire kaleidoscope of kids with different situations and ultimate goals.

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They can assist with differentiating a student as they try to gain a spot at a very selective institution. They can also be an extracurricular choice for strong players that enjoy that competitive environment (and are fortunate to be from families able to finance it)

There are talented players that fit in all those categories.

Did you read the post you responded to? Your response makes no sense. Who is “they”? The DA or ECNL? Think you are kidding yourself with all the extracurricular for strong player stuff. No matter where you play it’s a time commitment. Not that it’s not doable but if you aren’t getting paid to do it, why bother? Compromise an education just so you can say your kid extended their soccer career into college? What’s the end goal?

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Yup. Our top NPL playing daughter just got a full ride to a D2 school. She’s got a slight learning disability that kept her grades around B average so although she could have played at high D3, her academics were not ever getting her in so this was her path, and it worked perfectly for us. I love how people on this website love to paint with such broad brushes, but there is an entire kaleidoscope of kids with different situations and ultimate goals.

Well said, and congrats to both you and your D. Sounds like you all played it just about right. Good academic fit and good soccer fit with $. Hard to take any issue with that sort of outcome.

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Did you read the post you responded to? Your response makes no sense. Who is “they”? The DA or ECNL? Think you are kidding yourself with all the extracurricular for strong player stuff. No matter where you play it’s a time commitment. Not that it’s not doable but if you aren’t getting paid to do it, why bother? Compromise an education just so you can say your kid extended their soccer career into college? What’s the end goal?

Cocktail party conversation piece would be my guess.

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Your view that GDA or ECNL (or presumably any high level pricey youth league) only serve as "vocational training" is wacky and divorced from reality. It is not that for many (probably most) of the participants.

You may desire for all to see it that way but, oh well. If wishes were horses then beggars would ride.

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Yup. Our top NPL playing daughter just got a full ride to a D2 school. She’s got a slight learning disability that kept her grades around B average so although she could have played at high D3, her academics were not ever getting her in so this was her path, and it worked perfectly for us. I love how people on this website love to paint with such broad brushes, but there is an entire kaleidoscope of kids with different situations and ultimate goals.

Nice to hear this. Good for her and best of luck.

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At least the money is coming in, not going out. Never forget that in a non scholarship situation you are paying for the privilege of having some coach usurp their time.

Perhaps the choice is lesser school $$ or great school pay. Problem is soccer is nto a passion for the majority. Its just most. It is for a few and those WITH talent and passion are coveted by the best schools.

For most, its a means to an end and it shows.

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Perhaps the choice is lesser school $$ or great school pay. Problem is soccer is nto a passion for the majority. Its just most. It is for a few and those WITH talent and passion are coveted by the best schools.

For most, its a means to an end and it shows.

there is zero agreement on what would qualify as the "best schools" as there should be. Best for this one is not best for that one.

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Perhaps the choice is lesser school $$ or great school pay. Problem is soccer is nto a passion for the majority. Its just most. It is for a few and those WITH talent and passion are coveted by the best schools.

For most, its a means to an end and it shows.

This underpins ALL these leagues, ECNL, GDA etc...there are not enough passionate talented players to fill them. Not even close. Unless you are in an area that has a team with a quorum of kids who fit the bill, the majority of your soccer development will be defined by how hard YOU choose to work. It will be hard and there will not be others to look to for inspiration. You will lose games and be tempted to point fingers at others who dont see the game the way you do. You wont be carried along by a group of soccer savvy teammates.

I agree with the sentiment that unless you are getting paid to do it in College, then why bother. Play Club if you enjoy it. on your own terms. There are many many kids getting paid who dont really enjoy it. Its obvious based on transfers, drop out rates and the overall quality on show.

there are also kids who have to use it to differentiate. i get that, but boy is that tough. You feel tied to a sport you dont necessarily love to get an education.