College Scholarships

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And you know this how?

He doesn't, he's just being a dik.

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The resident D1 coach (really?) posted this on another thread. Take it for what it's worth but it is very consistent with what players are running into right now. The net/net is there's far fewer opportunities and dollars to go around and will be for awhile. More than ever don't hesitate if you're presented a solid offer at a school you like.

I coach Women's Soccer at a D1 University and here are some roster/program facts (which would pretty much hold true at any school)

1) Most college rosters these days average between 26-32.
2) As a parent/player, I would be hesitant to consider any program with over 33 or 34. That is simply too many players to manage, and you may end up on the 'farm team'
3) We have never received "pressure" to recruit just to land more tuition dollars for the school (!?)
4) To train effectively at college level, it's necessary to be able to play full field. Even with a roster of 30, it's barely feasible at times (you may have 4 GKs, and half a dozen injured at any given time). We don't necessarily like having to manage 30 players, but it is necessary to create the most effective and functional training environment
5) Do the math----with 30 players, more will NOT play than do play. We can only put 11 on field

Some facts resulting from the 2020 Covid mess/extra year of eligibility:

1) The extra year will have significant impact for the 21s/22s/23s/24s
2) You would be very surprised how many parents ARE willing to pay money for an extra year because of how badly they feel for what these kids have been through. We had already committed a full slate of 2021s before shutdown and have no money to continue scholarships for any seniors yet 3 or 4 are going to stay for the Fall semester and pay for it themselves just to have another season.
3) There are currently 404 players in the D1 WSocc transfer portal and that number will be much higher when the spring season concludes in a couple months
4) Experience is KING. it's a no brainer for us to pay to have a four year seasoned 22yr old stay as opposed to bringing in an unproven 18 year old. Many of them are in situations where Mom and Dad are willing to pay for Grad school since they had a scholarship for undergrad OR some are getting underload waivers where they graduate and are just taking a class or 2, which doesn't cost much.
5) The situation is creating a logistical nightmare for us recruiting-wise as we try to project our depth charts for '23 and '24 classes. For example, if the current freshmen and sophomore players that we have and would want to stay do stay, we have 32 on our 2023 roster without having committed any 2023s yet!

My personal opinion is that this mess will create anywhere from 25% to 60% less total available roster spots across all programs through 2024.

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School/academics 1st
Soccer fit 2nd

Don't make big academic compromises for sports plus the money is good at the D1 school.

Other random thoughts: being on a bad team can still be a great experience. That losing coach could be gone soon. So could the winning one (gets hired by a higher level program). You've no idea what the new one will be like. Does the D2 team have a ton of international players? Many do, so your kid might not play.

Why? Because International players are better? That’s certainly a myth should be addressed!

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Why? Because International players are better? That’s certainly a myth should be addressed!

Some college coaches seem to think so. Their job is to win and they will recruit and play who they think will help them win. Always look at a schools roster and see who is playing the most.

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Some college coaches seem to think so. Their job is to win and they will recruit and play who they think will help them win. Always look at a schools roster and see who is playing the most.

If that’s true then what’s the point? If these club/college coaches naturally “assume” international players are “better” why are Americans spending thousands of dollars for club soccer?

Hopefully the majority don’t think that way - pretty close minded. Don’t the youth need our coaches support and encouragement instead of thinking others outside the US have a better shot?

What happened to homegrown?

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4 or 5 at full tuition because they want to say they committed to a D1 program to set the bench for 4 year or transfer after the first.

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All of this discussion is silly.

Why?

Because the pick of a school depends entirely on the specifics of the kid, the academics, the team, the coach, the finances and the intangibles. Every situation is very, very different. And -- in large part you end up with a "best guess and hope" decision.

But, the reality is -- if your kid really wants to play soccer in school, then your kid has to go to the school where your kid thinks they have the best shot to be able to play regularly, and as soon as possible. The rest can workout from there. The "oh academics is most important" is crap. Exactly zero kids playing soccer in college think that.

If they are going to play soccer -- whether big D1 or little D3 -- they are first and foremost a soccer player at the school. Their day, from August to October or hopefully November or even early December, consists of: Wake up, shower, dress, eat breakfast, class, class, lunch, study/class, get ready for practice, practice, do post-practice stuff, shower, eat, study/prepare for next day classes. Repeat. Variations exist for travel and game days when classes are replaced by travel and studying.

After soccer season ends -- they will still spend 4 hours a day on soccer - 4 days a week for D1 and D2. That's reduced to about 4 hours a day 2 days a week for D3. In short -- a kid playing soccer will be spending far more time doing soccer stuff than anything else at school so if they are not having a decent time; if they hate the coaches; if they do not like their teammates; if they cannot get their academic work done; and most importantly -- if they are not playing a decent amount -- then they quit. That is why 50% of all college soccer player freshman are done and off the team by the end of their sophomore year.

(As an aside -- GVSU, while a D2, has 26,000 students and is not a commuter school. It draws its women's team primarily from the big midwest programs. They win all the time because they are better (and bigger) than most big D1 women's soccer programs. GVSU plays D2 football so it puts $$$ into women's sports due to Title IX.)

You forgot the daily workouts at 5 or 6am. Have to be willing to sacrifice everything else. Soccer is literally their job.

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You forgot the daily workouts at 5 or 6am. Have to be willing to sacrifice everything else. Soccer is literally their job.

I'ts not a full time job but pretty close. That leaves little time for a social life unless you skip sleep and schoolwork - you know, the reasons you're supposed to be there, an education? Plenty of athletes are fine with their social life revolving around their teams, but it limits the richness of a college experience. Internships and study abroad are also very difficult to do with D1 athletics.

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I'ts not a full time job but pretty close. That leaves little time for a social life unless you skip sleep and schoolwork - you know, the reasons you're supposed to be there, an education? Plenty of athletes are fine with their social life revolving around their teams, but it limits the richness of a college experience. Internships and study abroad are also very difficult to do with D1 athletics.

During season it is VERY close to a full time job. 2 games per week(overnights for half the games) , 4 practices, extra lifts, rehabong for some, home work, etc. Social life is mostly with teammates, but not always. besides, covid has removed most social life anyway

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Some college coaches seem to think so. Their job is to win and they will recruit and play who they think will help them win. Always look at a schools roster and see who is playing the most.

Pre-Covid SNHU, a very strong D2 program, had 1 starter from the US

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This is why families should consider all options esp D3. Less of soccer dominating college life and financially speaking, could end up paying a lot less than a walk on on low scholarship amount at a D1.

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This is why families should consider all options esp D3. Less of soccer dominating college life and financially speaking, could end up paying a lot less than a walk on on low scholarship amount at a D1.

Very few international players taking PT in D3 also.

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This is why families should consider all options esp D3. Less of soccer dominating college life and financially speaking, could end up paying a lot less than a walk on on low scholarship amount at a D1.

walk-ons do not get scholarships at DI

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walk-ons do not get scholarships at DI

clearly the second "on" was supposed to be an "or"

could end up paying a lot less than a walk on [[OR]] low scholarship amount at a D1

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walk-ons do not get scholarships at DI

Walk-ons can and do earn scholarships in later years. Know a few players that walked on to D1 teams with no scholarship and earned a starting spot while a few scholarship players sat the bench. They were offered money the following year. College coaches make bets on players, sometimes those bets don't work. Reality is a scholarship doesn't guarantee play time and most colleges in D1 don't guarantee a 4 year athletic scholarship.