2011 Boys Soccer Verbal Commitments

[Unregistered]

^^^^ Can you make the case that any of them or more than 1 or 2 wouldn't have ended up where they did or at a comparable school without DAP? Your reply does not demonstrate that. Maybe Van Riper. You credited Pettiglio's Dad. Cantave? He grew up and went to HS about 5 miles from the Northeastern campus. Don't think he needed the DAP "showcases."

There may be a disadvantage for other kids, but the data prove that others can get there. BC, Harvard, UMass... just off the top of my head for non-DAP kids. The overall numbers are actually poor for both DAP and non-DAP, but especially for DAP given the hype.

I think the big name on that list is Donovan and Duke. If he plays Maple he still gets looks from the local D1 schools. Not sure Duke would be looking at MA Maple games or R1pl for players. His was one of the big stories of 2010. Also forgot Leon Brown going from Bolts DAP to ND. Both teams went to the NCAA's this year and both players benefited from National exposure.

[Unregistered]

I think the big name on that list is Donovan and Duke. If he plays Maple he still gets looks from the local D1 schools. Not sure Duke would be looking at MA Maple games or R1pl for players. His was one of the big stories of 2010. Also forgot Leon Brown going from Bolts DAP to ND. Both teams went to the NCAA's this year and both players benefited from National exposure.

Donovan played with Bolts in the DAP. His play with the Bolts provided his exposure to Kerr and to the national team scouts.

[Unregistered]

Coming from a player who played both DAP and MAPLE, the DAP league is a much more competitive, stronger league and its exposure to colleges around the country is immense, there no way possible that one could say that the MAPLE league produces more players then the DAP

[Unregistered]

Coming from a player who played both DAP and MAPLE, the DAP league is a much more competitive, stronger league and its exposure to colleges around the country is immense, there no way possible that one could say that the MAPLE league produces more players then the DAP

Thanks for joining the conversation. Can you tell us how DAP has impacted your actual recruitment? Are you considering schools that you were only able to access via DAP? Like on the West coast perhaps? Did DAP widen your concrete list of schools geographically and/or in terms of level?

And just as a correction, I haven't read anywhere that someone opined that MAPLE produced more players....only that some MAPLE players are in fact being recruited and playing in college.

[Unregistered]

Thanks for joining the conversation. Can you tell us how DAP has impacted your actual recruitment? Are you considering schools that you were only able to access via DAP? Like on the West coast perhaps? Did DAP widen your concrete list of schools geographically and/or in terms of level?

And just as a correction, I haven't read anywhere that someone opined that MAPLE produced more players....only that some MAPLE players are in fact being recruited and playing in college.

The MAPLE players being recruited are almost all D1 Maple players (mostly from the top 4 teams) and don't forget MPS also has a number of their Class of 2011 which were/are being recruited. However, remember most of these players and most of the DAP players will not be playing D1, but rather D2 and D3--not that there is anything anything wrong with playing D2 or D3 college soccer. The fact that these players will be playing in college D1, D2 or D3 is a fete in of itself given the committment thats required at each level--I applaud all the boys who will be playing in college. Every player/family has his own reasons why they play DAP or non-DAP and whether they want to play D1, D2 or D3 college soccer--it's all an individual choice. Certainly, if a player wants to attend college away from New England and play D1 college soccer--DAP is certainly the way to go to give yourself a better chance to attract a non-New England coaches attention given the travel involved and the well attended DAP Showcases. DAP is a very convenient and tremendous recruiting opportunity for college coaches to see many good players in one venue. Just be wary of believing DAP will get your player to D1 and a significant Athletic Aid scholarship because it is HIGHLY UNLIKELY even if your player is one of the better players on his DAP team---the question is "is he a top impact player within the DAP League" then maybe you will turn some heads. Don't expect the "pot of gold at the end of the rainbow" and you won't be dissappointed. Certainly if a player has the time, money, desire, and commitment then DAP would seem like a preferred path, however it is by no means the only path as evidenced by the Class of 2011 and where they will be playing. My advice let your player have fun and ensure he is playing alot of meaningful minutes with a good Club coach--keep his head in the school books and you hopefully will have some good alternatives for college choices.

[Unregistered]

The MAPLE players being recruited are almost all D1 Maple players (mostly from the top 4 teams) .

And those 4 would be?

[Unregistered]

Donovan played with Bolts in the DAP. His play with the Bolts provided his exposure to Kerr and to the national team scouts.

Not sure what you're saying here. Donovan played with the Bolts at least back to U12, so I think Kerr probably have some familiarity with the kid pre-DAP. I'll be more persuaded by the DAP argument if you tell me he also had offers from UVA, UNC and Wake Forest.

[Unregistered]

Not sure what you're saying here. Donovan played with the Bolts at least back to U12, so I think Kerr probably have some familiarity with the kid pre-DAP. I'll be more persuaded by the DAP argument if you tell me he also had offers from UVA, UNC and Wake Forest.

Why? Because three schools from among the thousands in the US makes your point?

No reply will keep you from bashing the kid, the Bolts, or DAP. Who really cares who knew him when? Good player attends great school. Why isn't that enough for you, apart from the incredibly obvious latent jealousies you exhibit?

Although you missed the Bolts player that is attending Notre Dame? Last time I checked, that was a decent school......

[Unregistered]

Why? Because three schools from among the thousands in the US makes your point?

No reply will keep you from bashing the kid, the Bolts, or DAP. Who really cares who knew him when? Good player attends great school. Why isn't that enough for you, apart from the incredibly obvious latent jealousies you exhibit?

Although you missed the Bolts player that is attending Notre Dame? Last time I checked, that was a decent school......

You are being very defensive and I think missing my point(s), or you don't like the points so you distort them as unreasonable.

I am not doubting that DAP is a highly attractive option or that better players gravitate to it. I am not doubting that the Duke kid and the Notre Dame kid are extremely good players who could have landed numerous impressive offers. I am doubting that DAP is as essential to the recruitment process as you make it out to be. You seem to be locked in on the Notre Dame kid now. I'm sure he could have gotten himself recruited to very good schools without DAP, just like Sam Mewis and a host of other girls have pre-ECNL.

As I have said, I think a kid being really good is the most important factor. I don't think DAP is the essential variable. Just like I don't think playing Reg 1, or MAPLE D1 vs MAPLE D2, "in the old days," were essential. Maybe preferred but not essential and I do feel the benefits are overstated. Sure, all things being equal, training with better players and playing competition are preferable. But the 'exposure' element in particular I think is overstated. I don't think players go to a DAP showcase, or any showcase, and end up with scholarship offers flying at them. I've seen teams with very recruitable players go to a bunch of showcases, consistent with the mantra that it is essential to participate, and not one kid has landed somewhere as a result. They have indeed landed places, but through their own and alternative efforts. Players for the most part have to get themselves recruited.

I'm not making any points that BTDT hasn't made over and over on the girls side. And he is also correct that 95% of players will land within 600 miles of home and 90%+ within 300 miles. The "national exposure" argument is simply overstated and except for very rare cases irrelevant.

And I'm not sure the DAP-era lists of commitments are more impressive than what the Bolts produced pre-DAP. I actually think the reverse might be true, and certainly Stars and Scorpions have yielded more impressive lists when compared head-to-head with the two local DAP teams. I'm just asking that you promote DAP with a little more balance.

[Unregistered]

Why? Because three schools from among the thousands in the US makes your point?

No reply will keep you from bashing the kid, the Bolts, or DAP. Who really cares who knew him when? Good player attends great school. Why isn't that enough for you, apart from the incredibly obvious latent jealousies you exhibit?

Although you missed the Bolts player that is attending Notre Dame?

...who did not see a minute of playing time this year. btw, there is another Mass player on ND's team.

[Unregistered]

You are being very defensive and I think missing my point(s), or you don't like the points so you distort them as unreasonable.

I am not doubting that DAP is a highly attractive option or that better players gravitate to it. I am not doubting that the Duke kid and the Notre Dame kid are extremely good players who could have landed numerous impressive offers. I am doubting that DAP is as essential to the recruitment process as you make it out to be. You seem to be locked in on the Notre Dame kid now. I'm sure he could have gotten himself recruited to very good schools without DAP, just like Sam Mewis and a host of other girls have pre-ECNL.

As I have said, I think a kid being really good is the most important factor. I don't think DAP is the essential variable. Just like I don't think playing Reg 1, or MAPLE D1 vs MAPLE D2, "in the old days," were essential. Maybe preferred but not essential and I do feel the benefits are overstated. Sure, all things being equal, training with better players and playing competition are preferable. But the 'exposure' element in particular I think is overstated. I don't think players go to a DAP showcase, or any showcase, and end up with scholarship offers flying at them. I've seen teams with very recruitable players go to a bunch of showcases, consistent with the mantra that it is essential to participate, and not one kid has landed somewhere as a result. They have indeed landed places, but through their own and alternative efforts. Players for the most part have to get themselves recruited.

I'm not making any points that BTDT hasn't made over and over on the girls side. And he is also correct that 95% of players will land within 600 miles of home and 90%+ within 300 miles. The "national exposure" argument is simply overstated and except for very rare cases irrelevant.

And I'm not sure the DAP-era lists of commitments are more impressive than what the Bolts produced pre-DAP. I actually think the reverse might be true, and certainly Stars and Scorpions have yielded more impressive lists when compared head-to-head with the two local DAP teams. I'm just asking that you promote DAP with a little more balance.

nicely said

[Unregistered]

You are being very defensive and I think missing my point(s), or you don't like the points so you distort them as unreasonable.

I am not doubting that DAP is a highly attractive option or that better players gravitate to it. I am not doubting that the Duke kid and the Notre Dame kid are extremely good players who could have landed numerous impressive offers. I am doubting that DAP is as essential to the recruitment process as you make it out to be. You seem to be locked in on the Notre Dame kid now. I'm sure he could have gotten himself recruited to very good schools without DAP, just like Sam Mewis and a host of other girls have pre-ECNL.

As I have said, I think a kid being really good is the most important factor. I don't think DAP is the essential variable. Just like I don't think playing Reg 1, or MAPLE D1 vs MAPLE D2, "in the old days," were essential. Maybe preferred but not essential and I do feel the benefits are overstated. Sure, all things being equal, training with better players and playing competition are preferable. But the 'exposure' element in particular I think is overstated. I don't think players go to a DAP showcase, or any showcase, and end up with scholarship offers flying at them. I've seen teams with very recruitable players go to a bunch of showcases, consistent with the mantra that it is essential to participate, and not one kid has landed somewhere as a result. They have indeed landed places, but through their own and alternative efforts. Players for the most part have to get themselves recruited.

I'm not making any points that BTDT hasn't made over and over on the girls side. And he is also correct that 95% of players will land within 600 miles of home and 90%+ within 300 miles. The "national exposure" argument is simply overstated and except for very rare cases irrelevant.

And I'm not sure the DAP-era lists of commitments are more impressive than what the Bolts produced pre-DAP. I actually think the reverse might be true, and certainly Stars and Scorpions have yielded more impressive lists when compared head-to-head with the two local DAP teams. I'm just asking that you promote DAP with a little more balance.

I'll disagree with you on this point. My son is a Rev player and received interest and offers from a diverse variety of school's as a result of his play at the DAP showcases. School's that I had never even heard of or were never on our radar ( Ohio State, Coastal Carolina, High Point, Lipscomb, Denison, etc.). He was also scouted and received interest from the area coaches at his DAP league games ( BU, Rutgers, Syracuse, Seton Hall, UNH, etc.). He never would have had this opportunity with his former club team.

I'll agree with you that he wants to stay within the 300 mile "comfort zone" of home. It's a matter of personal preference and a school that is the "right academic fit" which will make the final determination.

[Unregistered]

I'll disagree with you on this point. My son is a Rev player and received interest and offers from a diverse variety of school's as a result of his play at the DAP showcases. School's that I had never even heard of or were never on our radar ( Ohio State, Coastal Carolina, High Point, Lipscomb, Denison, etc.). He was also scouted and received interest from the area coaches at his DAP league games ( BU, Rutgers, Syracuse, Seton Hall, UNH, etc.). He never would have had this opportunity with his former club team.

I'll agree with you that he wants to stay within the 300 mile "comfort zone" of home. It's a matter of personal preference and a school that is the "right academic fit" which will make the final determination.

The interest from schools you never heard of is not unique to DAP showcases, sorry. As a non-DAP player, my child has received interest from D2 and D3 schools we never heard too. These schools, unfortunately, did not fit his profile for size, type of campus, majors offered, etc..Now, these schools are not D1 like your list, but he's not a D1 player, and honestly, based on the commitment we would not want him to have to miss out on the many aspects of college life, due to the commitment level of D1, especially if you are going to be a bench player.

[Unregistered]

I'll disagree with you on this point. My son is a Rev player and received interest and offers from a diverse variety of school's as a result of his play at the DAP showcases. School's that I had never even heard of or were never on our radar ( Ohio State, Coastal Carolina, High Point, Lipscomb, Denison, etc.). He was also scouted and received interest from the area coaches at his DAP league games ( BU, Rutgers, Syracuse, Seton Hall, UNH, etc.). He never would have had this opportunity with his former club team.

I'll agree with you that he wants to stay within the 300 mile "comfort zone" of home. It's a matter of personal preference and a school that is the "right academic fit" which will make the final determination.

Aren't some of those schools with 300 miles? Why no hard commitment?

[Unregistered]

I'll disagree with you on this point. My son is a Rev player and received interest and offers from a diverse variety of school's as a result of his play at the DAP showcases. School's that I had never even heard of or were never on our radar ( Ohio State, Coastal Carolina, High Point, Lipscomb, Denison, etc.). He was also scouted and received interest from the area coaches at his DAP league games ( BU, Rutgers, Syracuse, Seton Hall, UNH, etc.). He never would have had this opportunity with his former club team.

I'll agree with you that he wants to stay within the 300 mile "comfort zone" of home. It's a matter of personal preference and a school that is the "right academic fit" which will make the final determination.

So projecting ahead to where you're figuring he is going to end up, can you say that DAP was the critical variable? Sure, it feels good to put a letter from University of New Mexico on the refrigerator, but if there's no chance that your kid is going to go there I ultimately consider that trivial.

I also could send some game tape, a few recommendations, and a couple of articles right now with a well-written email to the Denison coach, along with an academic profile, and I'd have a reply of heavy interest for my senior son by the time he gets home from school today. He doesn't need DAP to make that happen, which is not to say that the Denison coach wouldn't be impressed if his resume included DAP.