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**Unregistered** · 06-15-2011, 01:16 PM

some thoughts

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Anyone have thoughts on PSU soccer specifically and the school in general? A stepchild to UP perhaps, but a program on the rise? Big Sky conference?

PSU has a good coach in Laura Schott. Not a great one, but good. She's smart and knows the game well. She played at a very high level not that long ago. Program is on the rise. Big Sky conference, not so much. Players are better than in the past, but not necessarily "A" college players. Coach recruits hard. Decent facilities, but play at Hillsboro stadium; may use new Timbers field in the future. Downside, difficult to attract some players due to downtown city location. More a commuter school than most colleges in the West. UP's conference, West Coast Conference, does some athletics well. Bottom of the WCC not very good. PSU & Big Sky have football, WCC mainly not (including UP). Academics are good and seem to be improving. Many opportunities due to location and wide range of courses for students.

**Unregistered** · 06-15-2011, 02:34 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Anyone have thoughts on PSU soccer specifically and the school in general? A stepchild to UP perhaps, but a program on the rise? Big Sky conference?

If you have someone considering a scholarship offer there, I would be more focused on the academic part of the equation rather than the soccer team. Just my opinion.

**Unregistered** · 06-15-2011, 02:48 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

If you have someone considering a scholarship offer there, I would be more focused on the academic part of the equation rather than the soccer team. Just my opinion.

PSU is doing an excellent job of improving all their programs and facilities. Laura too has done a very good job along with almost all their women's programs. People have a bias towards a commuter school, and some justified. In the end, its D1, good conference and usually a great non-conference schedule. Go Viks.

**Unregistered** · 06-15-2011, 02:50 PM

good point

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

If you have someone considering a scholarship offer there, I would be more focused on the academic part of the equation rather than the soccer team. Just my opinion.

I think everyone has academics in mind when selecting a college. Academics are fairly easy to check out. A specific athletic team, less so. That being said, what's your opinion regarding PSU?

**Unregistered** · 06-15-2011, 03:03 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

I think everyone has academics in mind when selecting a college. Academics are fairly easy to check out. A specific athletic team, less so. That being said, what's your opinion regarding PSU?

They will always be a step child to UP's program. What UP has is very special onthe women's side.

Hell, the UP Men's team is a step child to the UP Women's program. Just go to one of their double headers where women play before or after the men's game.

It is not so much that PSU has a bad program. In fact, I do not think the atmosphere at PSU is not much different then what you would see for other PAC-10 team (with the excpetion of Stanford). UP is in a very unique postion. They have the fan base, facility, and tradition.

There is no comparisson with PSU. Again that is not slamming the PSU program which has been improving significant since Laura came on board.

All this is without even comparing records in which case you have to count the number of NCAA apperance of UP vs. PSU.

With that all said, I would go to the best school then choose the school where you will actually get to play.

**Unregistered** · 06-15-2011, 03:11 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

I think everyone has academics in mind when selecting a college. Academics are fairly easy to check out. A specific athletic team, less so. That being said, what's your opinion regarding PSU?

I don't have an opinion on them academically as I haven't reseached them. However my point about academics is that it is, in large part, a personal decision. Do they offer a major(s) that your child is interested in pursuing? Do they want to grad school afterward and how many PSU students in that area go to grad school and where? Grading policies? ... I mean there are a myriad of things to look at which will be important to your child from an academic standpoint. Its easy to look at the overall ranking of the school, and that is important, but the other items are just as important and perhaps more so. I think that accepting an offer is usually 80% emotional and 20% rational - to me those two need to be reversed. Although in soccer, I do think kids do a better job of making it rational. Football however,...

**Unregistered** · 06-15-2011, 03:57 PM

PAC-10 program?

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

They will always be a step child to UP's program. What UP has is very special onthe women's side.

Hell, the UP Men's team is a step child to the UP Women's program. Just go to one of their double headers where women play before or after the men's game.

It is not so much that PSU has a bad program. In fact, I do not think the atmosphere at PSU is not much different then what you would see for other PAC-10 team (with the excpetion of Stanford). UP is in a very unique postion. They have the fan base, facility, and tradition.

There is no comparisson with PSU. Again that is not slamming the PSU program which has been improving significant since Laura came on board.

All this is without even comparing records in which case you have to count the number of NCAA apperance of UP vs. PSU.

With that all said, I would go to the best school then choose the school where you will actually get to play.

It seems as though you were implying that PSU women's soccer is similar, or even the same as a PAC-10 school. PAC-10 schools have significantly more money for coaching staff, trainers, gear, travel, etc. Better facilities, also. The players are clearly better. The game atmosphere, and I have been to lots of PSU and PAC-10 games in the last five years, are not even close. PAC-10 has more spectators, staff, etc. UP has a great fan base. Field, once top-of-the-line, is not now. Doesn't meet current NCAA requirements for new fields. Stands are great. Every college coach tries to sell the idea that their field is the best. Clearly, UP has one of the top women's soccer programs in the nation. The last two years, if I remember correctly, UP has been eliminated from the NCAA tournament by PAC-10 schools.

Once again, the previous posters have hit upon the real deal; getting as good of education as possible.

**Unregistered** · 06-15-2011, 04:10 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

It seems as though you were implying that PSU women's soccer is similar, or even the same as a PAC-10 school. PAC-10 schools have significantly more money for coaching staff, trainers, gear, travel, etc. Better facilities, also. The players are clearly better. The game atmosphere, and I have been to lots of PSU and PAC-10 games in the last five years, are not even close. PAC-10 has more spectators, staff, etc. UP has a great fan base. Field, once top-of-the-line, is not now. Doesn't meet current NCAA requirements for new fields. Stands are great. Every college coach tries to sell the idea that their field is the best. Clearly, UP has one of the top women's soccer programs in the nation. The last two years, if I remember correctly, UP has been eliminated from the NCAA tournament by PAC-10 schools.

Once again, the previous posters have hit upon the real deal; getting as good of education as possible.

The NCAA reference was as it applies to PSU vs. UP

Have you been to a PAC-10 women's game ? There is not a big crowd. Even the tickets look like raffle tickets.

These schools are dominated by other men's sports. UP is unique in that the hot show is Women's soccer. That is special. That was my point. It was not meant to disresspect any of the PAC-10 (now Pac-12) schools.

**Unregistered** · 06-15-2011, 04:50 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

I don't have an opinion on them academically as I haven't reseached them. However my point about academics is that it is, in large part, a personal decision. Do they offer a major(s) that your child is interested in pursuing? Do they want to grad school afterward and how many PSU students in that area go to grad school and where? Grading policies? ... I mean there are a myriad of things to look at which will be important to your child from an academic standpoint. Its easy to look at the overall ranking of the school, and that is important, but the other items are just as important and perhaps more so. I think that accepting an offer is usually 80% emotional and 20% rational - to me those two need to be reversed. Although in soccer, I do think kids do a better job of making it rational. Football however,...

I needed to add: good luck with the decision. And if you are evaluating offers, congratulations. If you are from Portland, and I assume you are, the one nice thing about PSU is you will be able to go to the home games without traveling. Four more years of getting to watch you kid play soccer - a nice benefit.

**Unregistered** · 06-15-2011, 05:09 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

The NCAA reference was as it applies to PSU vs. UP

Have you been to a PAC-10 women's game ? There is not a big crowd. Even the tickets look like raffle tickets.

These schools are dominated by other men's sports. UP is unique in that the hot show is Women's soccer. That is special. That was my point. It was not meant to disresspect any of the PAC-10 (now Pac-12) schools.

UP truly is an exception to the rule regarding women's soccer, including the Pac-12. While I have not been to every Pac-12 school, I have been to many and the crowds are not much better than a large high school game except for special games.