Who's thinks Club soccer/ODP is required for College

[Kickinballz]

Reading this forum and listening to parents over the years 90% of them think and feel club soccer and ODP is only path to playing College soccer. I will not deny these are helpful tools for playing in college and getting scholarships. Just listening to some parents like it would be the end of there soccer stars career if ODP did not exist. They are also planning on club soccer and ODP being the only thing needed on college resume. Yes I'm seroius.



I have seen and heard of more players private lessons, personal trainers, guest playing with other clubs, parents shoping kids out for tournaments, selling ther souls to be on ODP and premier teams. All in the hope of more exposure and to become more well known in soccer community. I have no problem with anyone bettering themselves. I like to see everyone reach there maximum potential.

So I ask is it the salemanship of the DOC's telling parents and players what could happen? " The same way a Navy recruiter tells you you could fly a F-16 if you join the navy, but mostly if your lucky you might get to fuel the F-16 or wash it"

Yes I'm aware some kids do get parital and full rides scholarships, but seroiusly those are the exception and not the norm.

At our house my kid plays club for the love of the game and great times with team members. If we were blessed with a scholarship we would happily take it but we are not counting on it.


Please share your plan and thoughts.

Kickinballz

[Unregistered]

What's your goal?

I would first ask what your goal is for your kid. If he's having fun, is that enough? Or are you tempted by the thought that this might be the ticket to a free education?

I don't know you or your kid but from a pure statistical point of view, that second goal is probably an unrealistic one. You are talking about investing big bucks for years of ODP, etc., on the chance that you might recoup this as a scholarship. I seriously doubt the cost to benefit ratio warrants the money and time you will spend.

As for "are the DOCs selling you something?". Yes and no. Every parent is eagerly buying what the DOC is selling.

[Unregistered]

Those are the same parents who think going to:

St Marys
Central Catholic/ Valley Catholic
Jesuit
Believe these are best for academics, athletes and just making better human beings.

I went to Jesuit for 2 years and graduated from Beaverton high in early 1980's. It's about the parents involvement with the kids and not the school. Parents have gotten lazy on raising kids and expect the schools to do it for us.

Enough of that rant, on a given year if there was 20-30 odp players they would have a higher percentage of getting scholarships then non opd players. Having said that will be 100+ or more girls from Oregon going to play college at some level somewhere.


I do agree about some doc's selling the college card I think they do mis-represent themselves a bit.

For college investing try a Oregon college saving plan or similar, if college is your desire.

[Kickinballz]

I would first ask what your goal is for your kid. If he's having fun, is that enough? Or are you tempted by the thought that this might be the ticket to a free education?

I don't know you or your kid but from a pure statistical point of view, that second goal is probably an unrealistic one. You are talking about investing big bucks for years of ODP, etc., on the chance that you might recoup this as a scholarship. I seriously doubt the cost to benefit ratio warrants the money and time you will spend.

As for "are the DOCs selling you something?". Yes and no. Every parent is eagerly buying what the DOC is selling.

My kid is having a blast playing, Come on I'm American who would not like to have a free ride to an education , you know the something for nothing additude LOL. I'm just more less curious on how many people on this forum believe or feel good that there child has what it takes to recieve a scholarship?

[Unregistered]

My kid is having a blast playing, Come on I'm American who would not like to have a free ride to an education , you know the something for nothing additude LOL. I'm just more less curious on how many people on this forum believe or feel good that there child has what it takes to recieve a scholarship?

It's is more like the saying from the movie Dumb and Dumber "you have a 1 in a million chance, the Jim Carey character responds with there is a chance".

This is a interesting thought. I know the Thusc Neon team had like 90% sign with colleges this last year. But realistic numbers probably 1 or 2 top players from each club max. Even then most will wash out of college soccer by end of 1st year of college. just my 2 cents

[Unregistered]

I think that coming from a certain club team that does well, playing ODP, making regional camp and beyond and being on a certain HS team that does exceptionally well your junior year has a lot to do with colleges looking at you for their team. I don't believe that anyone by itself will do it. But ODP plays a VERY important role

If you are bucking for a scholarship, you should be building a resume of sorts. All of these characters are important in the grand scheme of things.

Take a look at how these colleges showcases their players once your there. Look at their backgrounds.

http://www.portlandpilots.com/roster...2133&path=wsoc
http://www.portlandpilots.com/roster...2135&path=wsoc
http://www.portlandpilots.com/roster...2142&path=wsoc
http://www.und.com/sports/w-soccer/m...in_rose00.html
http://www.und.com/sports/w-soccer/m..._lauren00.html
http://www.und.com/sports/w-soccer/m...r_julie00.html

Whats the first thing you see posted ? ODP/ National Team

Tell me again why it is that ODP is not important ?

[Unregistered]

ODP Not important

If you look on the boys side the same thing for players a little older, ODP was the way to get to college.

Now it is Development Acad.

You see it on the boys side. Most big recruits from WA, Cross Fire Development Acad

Cal South same thing

ODP is over. Oregon has to find another way to get players in front of college coaches. They are not going to ODP events. NWCL, Club showcases, ID2

[Unregistered]

Wow, I must be doing this all wrong!

Years ago I was talking to my daughter's soccer coach about the game and the team etc. This particular coach is considered among the best in the state; he knows the game and is great with the players. He was going on about how so many soccer parents (especially parents of girls) are so fixated on the college scholarships for soccer. That the boys and their parents are less obsessed with the scholarships and more likely to play for love of the game.

It turns out that even if you do get a scholarship, it is very rare that it will be a full ride. Most kids who do get scholarships get partials; I learned this from players from a local high level college team. So if I were to take the 4 thousand dollars or so that I spend on a year for my daughter's club soccer and personal training etc. and just invest it for her, she would end up with more for college than what she would probably get on a scholarship.

Why do I pay all this money? Not for the scholarship chance, that's for sure. First, she loves the game and is very competitive so she wants to play at the highest level, and Club Soccer is the only place to find that. Second, to develop her skills to the highest level she needs to play a lot and needs to be taught by skilled coaches. Sure you can play rec, but not as many games and tourneys are available for rec, and the coaching isn't even close.

I should add that I have known parents that have paid for expensive club soccer and training whose child just doesn't have the talent. Clubs want paying players/members and there are plenty of B and C teams that have kids on them that have little hope of developing the skills that would take them to college ball. Does that mean they shouldn't pay for club soccer? Yes, if they aren't able to recognize the lack of talent and still expect their kid to start for Notre Dame. Absolutely not, if they are looking for a great experience and life lessons for their child. This has got to be the hardest thing for a parent, to separate their dream for their child and their responsibility to do what's best for their child.

So, yes I think playing club is a better way to learn the skills that a player will need to get selected for a college team. I personally think ODP is over-rated, but like I said the more high level play the greater the skill development. And don't knock the exposure; being seen is worthwhile in most any endeavor. Is it worthwhile from an investment perspective? Only if your kid happens to be one of the few exceptional players that gets a full ride, but the odds are kind of long on that when you are starting down this path with your 9 or 10 year old.

I hope my daughter plays college ball, not for any scholarship she may get, but because it will be a great experience for her just as playing high level club soccer has been a great experience. We would certainly not turn down an offered scholarship, but knowing my daughter, if 10 schools offered her a scholarship she would go to number 11.

I sense a bit of resentment here toward expensive soccer and expensive schools. Not all of us have the bucks to pay for it so some opportunities are out of reach, but that doesn't make me or others that pay for club soccer, ODP, or private education elitist nor neglectful. Just fortunate and trying to do our best for our kids. Not that there aren't neglectful elitists (as well as resentful fools) amongst us.

So don't expect the world to be your child's oyster just because he or she plays club soccer and ODP; do expect his/her skills to be better because of it (assuming he/she has the talent) and that he/she has a better chance of playing college ball. Don't hold your breath for scholarships, do make some good investments for your child's college education.

Realistic expectations are good, but don't let the odds keep your kid (and you) from going for your dreams.

[Unregistered]

If you look on the boys side the same thing for players a little older, ODP was the way to get to college.

Now it is Development Acad.

You see it on the boys side. Most big recruits from WA, Cross Fire Development Acad

Cal South same thing

ODP is over. Oregon has to find another way to get players in front of college coaches. They are not going to ODP events. NWCL, Club showcases, ID2

It might be in your opinion that college recruiters are not attending the ODP events. Im not sure how it is that you know this to be a fact, since you haven't mentioned which college you represent or work for.

All I can say, is once you get there they sure place a lot of importance on the fact that you played ODP and only deeper will you find that the player played for a club team that competed well in a showcase event or attended some other academy.

ODP if far from over. You are correct thought, OYSA needs to find additional ways to get their top tier players in front of as many college recruiters/coaches as they can to continue to attract top tier players in their programs such as ODP.

[Unregistered]

ODP is Terrific

Child is and has been in ODP for years. It has been terrific. Kids, coaches, training, etc. have been a great experience. Yes, costly, but a major reason has been because we like to attend as many events as possible and, quite frankly, when people complain about the costs it primarily has been due to desire to have the family/parents go along or because the player or other family members are engaged in multiple, concurrent, and equally expensive events/sports. That obviously is not required. I have yet to run into a child who has been deprived of ODP if desired, but certainly with sacrifice on the part of the family - and know plenty of families who choose to make that sacrifice.

Further, any decent ODP event, especially the Region IV tourney in Phoenix every year, is extremely well attended by college coaches. Either the person who keep harping that coaches don't show up has an agenda or is extremely misinformed. I suspect the former given the regular failure to provide a single fact.

However, child is not in ODP for college scholarship. Yes, it would be nice but from a cost/benefit perspective, it is not a wise investment. Child would love to play college soccer and if it works out, great - with or without a scholarship. ODP is but one of many means of helping a child reach the highest level - whatever that ultimately may be.

ODP certainly does not have all the best/elite players, but it has a major portion of them. ID2 is extremetly limited, albeit beneficial - it is not a replacement. NWCL is just another league. It is, in my opinion, a crazy notion to believe that college coaches are going to regularly show up at these games unless they are in the coach's backyard. Again, just my opinion. Not for everyone and requires sacrifice, but well worth it. High level soccer with kids she loves to play with. Not a bad combination.

[TurfEater]

Reading this forum and listening to parents over the years 90% of them think and feel club soccer and ODP is only path to playing College soccer. I will not deny these are helpful tools for playing in college and getting scholarships. Just listening to some parents like it would be the end of there soccer stars career if ODP did not exist. They are also planning on club soccer and ODP being the only thing needed on college resume. Yes I'm seroius.

You're making two different points. First, are club soccer and ODP required for college soccer? I'd say the first yes and the second doesn't hurt but not required.

Second, are club soccer and ODP sufficient for college soccer? Definitely not. Playing club and ODP do not guarantee a college scholarship and I've never met anyone that thought so.

[Unregistered]

which coaches

Further, any decent ODP event, especially the Region IV tourney in Phoenix every year, is extremely well attended by college coaches. Either the person who keep harping that coaches don't show up has an agenda or is extremely misinformed. I suspect the former given the regular failure to provide a single fact.


OK name the colleges that attended the ODP Regionals in AZ this year. List them. Very few way way down from previous years. Way down.

OK name the coaches at the Oregon event. I saw one from the boys side. ONE. Yes the Oregon ODP web site list several but ONE showed.

The spring DA showcase in FL got over 100 coaches. As a parent if was hard not to run in to a college coach.

[Unregistered]

What ODP means in the landscape today. (mostly for the boys)

Oregon ODP member/Pool---A jersey, A pair of Shorts, Sweatjacket (top item)..maybe a chance to play at ODP regionals, nike cup in Oregon (bummer it's no longer at THRPD) and the Regional Camp. Training pointless other than socially familiarizing your new teammates.
Games are low key with all the top players u15 (boys) and above involved with the USSDA and no real standard but organized matches with refs and parents watching.

Regional ODP member/Pool-worth mentioning on a resume...typically any event you do with this group is paid for (really cool). Think of those cultural tours offered by travel groups..but you don't have to pay. see the sights and make new friends. Competition is a crap shoot since the tours have little control over opponents. Some really tough games and some blowouts. College showcase in late nov is fun and free.

National OPD--Sinful experience now highlighting the most physically developed u14 year olds and telling they are of national quality. Think if you told a talented child actor they were going to be an academy award winning actor (Gary Coleman)...insane...Above u14 the only National level players are selected from the USSDA or via scouts throughout the USA.

Club Soccer----Boys truly the only path to college and Nat team for youth. USSDA is the club affiliation you will need to have the best chance. In Oregon it will arrive in the form of the timbers within 2 years....bye bye ODP. Girls club soccer is the path to college as well and in some cases just HS is enough for the freak girl athlete.

If your daughter has the ability to make the ODP regional team--not the paper team--and have a chance at nat. pool. DO ODP....otherwise head to the local goodwill and purchase an odp hoody...a couple bucks vs. thousands to fund a cosmetic experience at the state level.

for each his own.

[Unregistered]

As has been mentioned before and Ill reiterate once again. Playing with the best and against the best competition you can will make you a stronger player.

If you come from a club or in a region that lacks top tier competition, ODP might be the only choice.

Whether or not it results in some sort of college recruitment or not, the opportunity for some is better than the alternative locally.

[Unregistered]

wyoming, alaska, north dakota, south dakota,montana,

those are the only states where finding competitive teams to play could be an issue...these states ironically have no real desire to do odp...exception maybe alaska...so much for the need for odp...