For U15 and over, for Boys, I think the college showcases are worthless.
Having been through the process, and I have multiple kids, they were recruited from the on campus clinics. The coaches in high school or club / academy provided references, one of my kids didn't even play high school because club / academy was better.
One of my kids didn't play academy and played high school because the high school team consisted of players from the club that went on to win 2 National Championships, and in NJ, 2 consecutive Group Championships. The college coaches we met by chance on the road wanted to speak with every single Junior or Senior. Between club and high school, I think out of 100 games, they lost 2x.
There's also a dirty secret about academy, there's always someone right behind your son. And, if the academy don't like you, you're out. You can train, but you will never play. Somebody said if your child is good enough, it doesn't matter. Oh yes it does, every conversation matters, and the academy doesn't like you, get out fast. And someone said every coach is competitive, wants to win. I know coaches who throw games just because they were in a bad relationship with a "star player." Everyone in DA has a story, ask around.
This board is NJ focused, but if you play in the area, look at PA and South Jersey. They don't need academy. And, because of the recruiting area and few number of teams, their teams are all better than the Central / Northern NJ DA and ENCL teams, again, on the boys side. I obviously didn't have girls.
All I know is that when you are in the moment, it feels cutthroat, and you feel like you can't trust anyone.
Then, years later, it's like it was all BS, we all got ships. None of us paid college tuition at large schools, everything worked out. When the team wins, everyone wins.
Having been through the process, and I have multiple kids, they were recruited from the on campus clinics. The coaches in high school or club / academy provided references, one of my kids didn't even play high school because club / academy was better.
One of my kids didn't play academy and played high school because the high school team consisted of players from the club that went on to win 2 National Championships, and in NJ, 2 consecutive Group Championships. The college coaches we met by chance on the road wanted to speak with every single Junior or Senior. Between club and high school, I think out of 100 games, they lost 2x.
There's also a dirty secret about academy, there's always someone right behind your son. And, if the academy don't like you, you're out. You can train, but you will never play. Somebody said if your child is good enough, it doesn't matter. Oh yes it does, every conversation matters, and the academy doesn't like you, get out fast. And someone said every coach is competitive, wants to win. I know coaches who throw games just because they were in a bad relationship with a "star player." Everyone in DA has a story, ask around.
This board is NJ focused, but if you play in the area, look at PA and South Jersey. They don't need academy. And, because of the recruiting area and few number of teams, their teams are all better than the Central / Northern NJ DA and ENCL teams, again, on the boys side. I obviously didn't have girls.
All I know is that when you are in the moment, it feels cutthroat, and you feel like you can't trust anyone.
Then, years later, it's like it was all BS, we all got ships. None of us paid college tuition at large schools, everything worked out. When the team wins, everyone wins.
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