2011 Boys Soccer Verbal Commitments

[Unregistered]

Of course you would say that, becaise DAP across the country, THE ENTIRE PROGRAM, completeky obliterates your argument. You want to pick out the tiny fraction of DAP that may make your argument. You can't do that. The program is the program. Same schedule, same policies, same trainings. Maybe you just want to pick on the local DAP as a way to flame your anti-Bolts passions.

You want to slam the players in MA because they aren't as good as their colleagues in other parts of the country? Then be prepared to accept some part of the blame. You, and a significant number of other parents in MA, spend their kid's formative youth soccer years chasing a placing in MAPLE Blue or D1, and state cups (especially at younger age groups). You are more concerned over why the Andre Cup and Irwin Cup don't qualify as State Cups than you are about getting your kids the training they need at the younger age groups.

You seem to be a big part of the problem. You are certainly tenacious albeit incredibly distorting and you know you're doing it because you can't stand the idea that the DAP and/or Bolts have any chinks in the armor.

This is a 2011 MA commitments thread! No one has been engaging you about DAP nationwide because frankly most people have little interest in that. Folks are interested in MA and their own kids being dissed or not dissed and in statements expressed that are untrue and intended to influence or leave you feeling puffed up.

Secondly, as to your 2nd paragraph, the Bolts crowed with the best of them before DAP about state cups and MAPLE championships. In fact there were constant structurally similar Bolts postings back in those days telling us how superior the Bolts were. Then it was Region 1. You're about elitism then and now. Don't try to sell the "development" thing now. We know what you really mean. You're about elitism pure and simple.

Now posters are saying there are more DAP D1 commitments, but again these posters are deceptively trying to leave a false impression. More compelling would be commitments from kids who have been in DAP 3-4 years. Where are they? Then folks try to massage the impression by adding RI kids or PG kids. Is Goncsalves also a PG? Is the Holy Cross kid age wise really a 2009, 2010 or 2011??? And then you go back and talk about the 2010 list because you can't say much about 2011s. And, btw, the 2010 list wasn't mindblowing.

By any measure the D1 list is not impressive, DAP or non-DAP. That is what you ought to be concerned about and trying to help us understand given how incredible you tell us DAP is (and I'm not talking about the clear-cut top 50 D1 program players who chose Amherst or Williams or Middlebury because education is more important to them... and I doubt very many of those truly exist).

[teskicks]

Can't you take the DAP discussion to it's own thread?

[Unregistered]

for 2011 d1 commits so far we have 8 players (please correct if i missed anyone):

Boston College: TM, MD

Bucknell: JM

Cinncinnati: CD (not listed on espn rise, but it has been said he commited)

Drexel: MG

Holy Cross: AB

New Hampshire: CB

Vermont: BA

surprised there are not more mass kids going d1 considering we have a larger population than most, i doubt there will be many more added since it is almost the new year. it seems that only JM, CB, and AB committed before july 1, and the rest were later commits. Also, 6 of the 8 are DAP players.

Check your match. The 2 BC, the UNH, and UVM players did not play DAP during their recruiting years. (U16 and U17) The DAP can't take credit for placing these players when they committed before a game was played.

[Unregistered]

Can we lease stop acting as if the ESPN Rise list is a comprehensive representation of who is playing soccer in college? It is incomplete, incorrect, and reliant on too many people for information to be accurate.

[Unregistered]

You seem to be a big part of the problem. You are certainly tenacious albeit incredibly distorting and you know you're doing it because you can't stand the idea that the DAP and/or Bolts have any chinks in the armor.

This is a 2011 MA commitments thread! No one has been engaging you about DAP nationwide because frankly most people have little interest in that. Folks are interested in MA and their own kids being dissed or not dissed and in statements expressed that are untrue and intended to influence or leave you feeling puffed up.

Secondly, as to your 2nd paragraph, the Bolts crowed with the best of them before DAP about state cups and MAPLE championships. In fact there were constant structurally similar Bolts postings back in those days telling us how superior the Bolts were. Then it was Region 1. You're about elitism then and now. Don't try to sell the "development" thing now. We know what you really mean. You're about elitism pure and simple.

Now posters are saying there are more DAP D1 commitments, but again these posters are deceptively trying to leave a false impression. More compelling would be commitments from kids who have been in DAP 3-4 years. Where are they? Then folks try to massage the impression by adding RI kids or PG kids. Is Goncsalves also a PG? Is the Holy Cross kid age wise really a 2009, 2010 or 2011??? And then you go back and talk about the 2010 list because you can't say much about 2011s. And, btw, the 2010 list wasn't mindblowing.

By any measure the D1 list is not impressive, DAP or non-DAP. That is what you ought to be concerned about and trying to help us understand given how incredible you tell us DAP is (and I'm not talking about the clear-cut top 50 D1 program players who chose Amherst or Williams or Middlebury because education is more important to them... and I doubt very many of those truly exist).

If you goal is to be a bitter moron, congratulations! You have achieved your goal.

DAP is a national program. Not a local one. What the Bolts and Revs do aren't different from what the Nomads or LA Galaxy do. It's not MAPLE vs CASL. You want to separate it because it gives you an opportunity to bash the Bolts. Don't you think it's time to get over it and let it go? What did they do to you, or the team your kid played on? Your petty bitterness oozes out of your second paragraph. If all it takes to irritate you to the point of negative posting on an internet forum is a club crowing about its accomplishments, then you must carry the same bitter hatred for all clubs in this state, and most clubs across the country. Even your kid's club has done it. It's a recruiting tool used to attract kids to the clubs.

I laugh at this premise that the Bolts, or any club, can't change. DAP comes along, they like the philosophy, they get involved, then that mentality changes the entire culture of the club to be focused on development. How is that a negative? You are totally disingenuous when you bash the Bolts for crowing about their winning accomplishments, then bash them for being part of a developmentally oriented program and filtering that mentality down to lower age groups.

The 2010 list was used as an example because it is complete, and you can match the commitment list to the actual college rosters to confirm that the kids were, in fact, recruited to play at these schools. Of course you don't like that list because it refutes your arguments, but that 2010 list is definitive proof of who is playing where. At this time next year, we can evaluate the 2011's as a whole. But right now, the 2011 information is still incomplete and sketchy. Sure, it gives you fodder for your DAP/Bolts bashing now, but I believe that when all the 2011 recruits can be substantiated, you will see similar DAP to non DAP numbers. And yes, the differences pointed out in the 2010 list are substantial.

You fall into the same uninformed trap as many others on this board: that D1 schools are the be all - end all goal of any student athlete. This is such a naive and cynical point of view. There are dozens of factors that go onto a student (and their family's) decision about where to go to school, and every one of those decisions are made for a variety of personal reasons that no one (least of all you) have any right to critisize. Many of the D3 schools are harder to get into academically than D1 schools, and many top D3 programs are recruiting D1 quality soccer players. Your insinuation that your are disappointed at the few number of players going to D1 schools and how that somehow shines a poor light on this area, the players, and the clubs is the height of ignorance.

I'm hoping there are enough smart and open-minded people reading this forum to see your rants for what they are: the bitter and personal bashing of a program because of a club that either cut your kid from a team, didn't pick him at a tryout, or routinely beat your kid's team. Or, likely, some combination of those. You feel left out, and your lashing out is nothing more than justification for having a kid in a program you feel (deep down) is inferior. Your kid was always part of the best at the younger age groups, and it tears you apart that he isn't involved at the highest levels anymore. You are more about the prestige than the substance, hence your bitterness at not being at the highest level and your focus on D1 schools. If there's any elitism going on, it's from you because if you're not part of it, then it can't possibly be worthwhile. Well, it's not about you. I thought you would have learned that by now.

[Unregistered]

Are kids who commit also getting soccer $ - is that part of the drive for committing early? While any scholarship is great, do many programs offer just athletic scholarships? Just to save everyone keystrokes, my kid's grades are not going to inspire anyone - just having him go to college will be my reward, but a soccer coach's interest may be his best hook to actually getting into a school of his choice....

[Unregistered]

Some thoughts

I am a parent of a player who is currently deciding upon colleges and I am finding this whole topic quite interesting and have some thoughts of my own. I will start by saying that he has been a DAP player for several years and I feel that what he got out of the program is what he/we were hoping he would. I will preface my comments by adding this - it has been quite a few years since he was involved in club soccer, MAPLE, Region 1, ODP and tournaments. I cannot possibly compare DAP and Non DAP because we are no longer aware of what is going on first hand (other than the info, good and bad, given on this site).

1. Our coaching has been great. There is always a plan, nobody stands around, training involves what went right or wrong in the games and there are always individual comments. Coaches are involved in the training, communicate with the players regularly and the players have a brutally honest picture of where they stand. It must be working because they come to practice, work hard and seem to respect their situation. Non DAP families may have had the same experience too.

2. Coaches push academics. The players have a pretty good idea by now that they will not be playing in the EPL, MLS, UNT or the number one college team. Their hopes are to get a great education and get to play soccer in the best situation they can. The coaches seem to be able to get this across still keeping the player's soccer dreams alive. I am sure that there are plenty of Non DAP players who are excellent students and will get into the school of their choice - so what if it isn't early decision?

3. There have indeed been numerous coaches at every single game. The southern tournaments have been great and it has given the players the chance to contact the coahes who are out of our area. It has paid off in our situation. I cannot comment on the Non DAP's as I don't know who showed up at their games or not.

4. Competition in and out of our region has been terrific. I also think that each and every club in our region has done a great job with their clubs. You cannot go into a game thinking you are going to win because any team can win on any day. Often I will see a comment made about a team losing and think "Wow, we beat them but they really played our team hard. They had a lot of heart." Stats are not always what they seem.

In a nut shell, this has worked for our player/student and has given him what he was hoping - great training, great competition and a level head with academics.

As to the person who commented about doubting that there were players out there choosing a high academic Div 3 over a Div 1 program, I think you are mistaken. I know that my child is making those decisions right now as are some of his team mates and friends. Granted, they aren't powerhouse programs, but they are excellent programs and great schools. And, yes, the choices involve soccer offers.


I think it is wrong to go on one of these forums and talk badly of people's choices and situations. People make decisions based on their lives and options. It is libelous to just make stuff up about people and throw it out there. I don't believe that anyone is right or wrong in this. I really feel for some of these kids who have worked hard only to have an adult come on the forum and publically trash them.

Just sayin........

[Unregistered]

WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
Samuel Meyers D Mass. FC Stars of Mass

[Unregistered]

Can we lease stop acting as if the ESPN Rise list is a comprehensive representation of who is playing soccer in college? It is incomplete, incorrect, and reliant on too many people for information to be accurate.

there are 204 d1 men soccer programs, about 155 or so have their classes listed on espn rise. pretty much all the teams that don't appear on the list are the really bad d1 programs that no one cares about anyway such as:

URI, Alabama A&M, Rider, Manhattan, Central Arkansas, Howard, Oral Roberts, IUPUI, Gardner Webb, Belmont, SC Upstate, Centennary, IPFW, Eastern Illinois, Canisius, NJIT, St. Josephs, George Washington, North Florida, Hartwick, Hartford, Winthrop, Quinnipiac, Albany, St Francis (NY).

coincidentaly, all these teams are in the bottom 25% of the rankings and most of these schools will announce their classes late. The coaches at the better programs that actually care about their job report their commits, so it is safe to say the current list on espn rise is very accurate. just cuz your kid can't play at the next level is no reason to be bitter over "the list"

[Unregistered]

Are kids who commit also getting soccer $ - is that part of the drive for committing early? While any scholarship is great, do many programs offer just athletic scholarships? Just to save everyone keystrokes, my kid's grades are not going to inspire anyone - just having him go to college will be my reward, but a soccer coach's interest may be his best hook to actually getting into a school of his choice....

Kids committing early have identified their first choice school, have applied Early Decision, and/or gone through an "early read" where the coach runs the transcripts by the admissions department to find out whether the grades and/or test scores are within admittable range.

[Unregistered]

Kids committing early have identified their first choice school, have applied Early Decision, and/or gone through an "early read" where the coach runs the transcripts by the admissions department to find out whether the grades and/or test scores are within admittable range.

There are those students who have gone early action - had early reads, are through admissions, know what the financial aid package is and have the coach's thumbs up. You are not bound to give your decision until May 1st although the coach is going to want to make sure you are on board. Those students would not be listed as committed if they haven't given their answer.

[Unregistered]

there are 204 d1 men soccer programs, about 155 or so have their classes listed on espn rise. pretty much all the teams that don't appear on the list are the really bad d1 programs that no one cares about anyway such as:

URI, Alabama A&M, Rider, Manhattan, Central Arkansas, Howard, Oral Roberts, IUPUI, Gardner Webb, Belmont, SC Upstate, Centennary, IPFW, Eastern Illinois, Canisius, NJIT, St. Josephs, George Washington, North Florida, Hartwick, Hartford, Winthrop, Quinnipiac, Albany, St Francis (NY).

coincidentaly, all these teams are in the bottom 25% of the rankings and most of these schools will announce their classes late. The coaches at the better programs that actually care about their job report their commits, so it is safe to say the current list on espn rise is very accurate. just cuz your kid can't play at the next level is no reason to be bitter over "the list"

This is the kind of ignorance that adds nothing to the discussion. Most of the schools are listed on the 2010 Rise web site.

[Unregistered]

There are those students who have gone early action - had early reads, are through admissions, know what the financial aid package is and have the coach's thumbs up. You are not bound to give your decision until May 1st although the coach is going to want to make sure you are on board. Those students would not be listed as committed if they haven't given their answer.

not true, signing day is 1st week of feb. coach won't give you more than a few days to make decision. if you tell him to wait he will most likely forget about you and move on to the next recruit. May 1st means nothing so you clearly have no clue what you are saying

[Unregistered]

There are those students who have gone early action - had early reads, are through admissions, know what the financial aid package is and have the coach's thumbs up. You are not bound to give your decision until May 1st although the coach is going to want to make sure you are on board. Those students would not be listed as committed if they haven't given their answer.

If you apply Early Decision (as opposed to early Action), you are obligated to go if accepted.

[Unregistered]

If you apply Early Decision (as opposed to early Action), you are obligated to go if accepted.

unless...you can prove/justify that the calculated family contribution amount is actually too high and you can't afford it.