Soccer Scholarship odds

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If the women's teams get 14 scholarships to split, is that at any given time? Or 14 total full new scholarships every year? If the former, then the new 4 year guarantees at power 5 conferences, will mean more scholarship monies won't be freed up when taken away from under performing upper classmen. A team could theoretically only have whatever money is freed up from graduating seniors in this case.

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65 schools are participating, mostly the most competitive athletically and academically. They're battling it out for the literally some of the best athletes in the country for many programs. The rest can do it if they desire, which means few if any will. It isn't in a coach's best interest - or even the university's - to lock a player in for four years. Things often times don't work out and a coach will want flexibility to insure they're not stuck with someone they no longer want. They're only going to use that option for a truly exceptional candidate.

It is important to know about it so that a candidate can ask the question during recruiting. I have seen a few press releases where there are schools that are doing the 4 year guarantee because one or more of their money programs compete well with some of the Power 65 schools. And the announcement was for all sports. Where it really matters is in the head count sports, like football and basketball, if you are an athlete and have the choice between a Boise State and they do 4 year guarantees or a great private school and they do not guarantee it, Boise State might just become your number one choice! I think where this is the best opportunity for partial scholarship sports is when a out of state school also has the WUE, or other aggressive academic scholarship. When you start stacking your 20%, 30%, etc combined with another 4 years of 20 or 30%, it starts to get really impactful. Meaning an athlete can count on both scholarships as long as they stay academically eligible. Take away the fear of losing half of your scholarship for things out of your control (I.e. Freshman comes in that is better than you), and now you can plan educational costs for all four years.

[Unregistered]

If the women's teams get 14 scholarships to split, is that at any given time? Or 14 total full new scholarships every year? If the former, then the new 4 year guarantees at power 5 conferences, will mean more scholarship monies won't be freed up when taken away from under performing upper classmen. A team could theoretically only have whatever money is freed up from graduating seniors in this case.

It is 14 total at any given time. It's 3.5 a year, but I am sure it fluctuates how they use it based on transfer and graduation rates. Also most coaches will tell you they take 1.5 - 2 scholarships out of the typical budget to be able to use if needed. Maybe that is allocated for players that become available at the last minute, transfer students, or to reward current players for all conference awards or a bench player becomes a starter, etc. If that is the case, then really you are talking an average of 3 full scholarships per class. Something to be aware of California state law, that any Cal State school can only use 2 of their 14 scholarships for international and out of state students. So if an Oregon player is looking at a Cal State school, that means they are competing for their piece of 2 scholarships, not of 14.

[Unregistered]

It is important to know about it so that a candidate can ask the question during recruiting. I have seen a few press releases where there are schools that are doing the 4 year guarantee because one or more of their money programs compete well with some of the Power 65 schools. And the announcement was for all sports. Where it really matters is in the head count sports, like football and basketball, if you are an athlete and have the choice between a Boise State and they do 4 year guarantees or a great private school and they do not guarantee it, Boise State might just become your number one choice! I think where this is the best opportunity for partial scholarship sports is when a out of state school also has the WUE, or other aggressive academic scholarship. When you start stacking your 20%, 30%, etc combined with another 4 years of 20 or 30%, it starts to get really impactful. Meaning an athlete can count on both scholarships as long as they stay academically eligible. Take away the fear of losing half of your scholarship for things out of your control (I.e. Freshman comes in that is better than you), and now you can plan educational costs for all four years.

Yes it matters more for the big sports where there's more money at stake (and for the big three then there's also program visibility for the pro scouts). In soccer, especially on the men's side, athletic money is a pittance because schools rarely care about soccer. The average is around $8k-$10k per year. It's rare to get more than 50% on the men's side and that's reserved for the killer player that might turn a coach's season around. Yes money matters and to some families that amount would make or break a kids' ability to attend (although in all likelihood they're probably getting financial aid as well). But for a more typical soccer family that isn't a deal breaker. I agree with another poster that soccer is often used as a means to get into a better school than a student might otherwise. It's insanely competitive to get into some of these schools. Soccer may be the difference maker for one player, while being a piano master might do it for another applicant.

[Unregistered]

My kids both play. One is in HS. No desire to play in college. Just is not that passionate nor does she want to have a 'full time' job in college. Trust me, being a "Student Athlete" is a full time job. I know several folks that went to school on scholarships. During their season, you NEVER saw that kid. They were either practicing, at training tables, lifting weights, working out, or at a mandatory study hall. My kid wants to go to school to enjoy the college experience and have fun and not have to be tied down to playing soccer, year round, 24/7. Some want that experience. Some want to play full time. Some are living that dream. More power to them.

As the article states, there are only a finite number of scholarships available. Both of my kids are fortunate. We starting saving right when they were born. Put away a set dollar amount every single year, got some good growth and returns and they are both set, for at least 5 years of school. Not Harvard or Yale or Stanford but they can and could go to a decent major university of their choice.

My older daughters have several friends on her club team and a couple of parents are still delusional and still think that elusive scholarship is there. Unfortunately, both girls that are pursuing that dream just are not athletic enough nor talented enough. You never want to burst someone else's bubble or dream but these families are just really in for a rude awakening as the scholarship just is not happening. I told one mom that I had hoped they had Plan B in place....she just laughed and said "Why, my little Daisy is getting her school paid for."------I just smiled and said "Oh really?"------hmmm, some folks really just do not get it.

Good post and a lot of good information in here. My DD is playing in college and it is very much a big commitment. Especially at a P5 school where the goal is to make the tournament. One thing to add in addition to the training, playing, lifting, training tables (throw in other mandatory team activities along with this too, such as giving back events and hosting recruits) and mandatory study hall, is the testing. They have an enormous amount of testing on their body. A lot is done in the pre season, but there is still testing done on a weekly basis. These schools are monitoring a lot of stuff. I should also add in time spent meeting with the academic advisor and also time spent rehabbing their bodies after workouts and games. My dd's school has a big cold water pool that they all go sit in afterward to minimize recovery time. What's funny is that she used to hate ice baths, now she wants them. My dd misses a lot of classes, especially when on the road because they play Thursday and Sunday, so they leave on Wednesday early. So they miss three day's of classes. And even on home games, they miss most or all of their Thursday classes.

[Unregistered]

Can I just say that you all are a little nuts? Why worry about this stuff. Just let your daughter play and have fun and if she is indeed worthy of a scholarship for college soccer it will happen. The coaches will find the top players as long as they are going to the right tournaments and contacting a few select schools they are interested in.

A whole of of energy being expended by parents and it seems very wasteful.

[Unregistered]

Can I just say that you all are a little nuts? Why worry about this stuff. Just let your daughter play and have fun and if she is indeed worthy of a scholarship for college soccer it will happen. The coaches will find the top players as long as they are going to the right tournaments and contacting a few select schools they are interested in.

A whole of of energy being expended by parents and it seems very wasteful.

Just felt the need to lecture a bit today? My dd's U16 team, although it broke up, eventually put 14 girls into college soccer. The ECNL teams here, in spite of them not being among the elite in the nation, have 12-16 players play college soccer. Not to mention the one, or two, or three that certain other teams put into college each year. Those of us who have gone through the process know full well what it's like and how to manage our daughters. No one on here is going nuts, except for you.

[Unregistered]

Can I just say that you all are a little nuts? Why worry about this stuff. Just let your daughter play and have fun and if she is indeed worthy of a scholarship for college soccer it will happen. The coaches will find the top players as long as they are going to the right tournaments and contacting a few select schools they are interested in.

A whole of of energy being expended by parents and it seems very wasteful.

To be honest, if a family is going through the process, it is not the most simplistic or intuitive process and a lot of time they stumble through it with very little guidance, nice to get real and informed information and opinions, which was what was happening on this thread (sorry it seems wasteful to you). And FYI, being recruited does not JUST HAPPEN. I had two daughters go through very different processes on their paths to playing college soccer, and both of them did a lot of work to make that happen, off the field. They also had good guidance family friends who had been through the process and coaches. The ignorant attitude of, if you are good enough "they will find you", makes me throw up in my mouth just a little... But seriously, thanks for your 2 cents...

[Unregistered]

Just felt the need to lecture a bit today? My dd's U16 team, although it broke up, eventually put 14 girls into college soccer. The ECNL teams here, in spite of them not being among the elite in the nation, have 12-16 players play college soccer. Not to mention the one, or two, or three that certain other teams put into college each year. Those of us who have gone through the process know full well what it's like and how to manage our daughters. No one on here is going nuts, except for you.

It's really a pretty simple process if your daughter is in the upper 10%. Make contact with coaches you are interested in. Play correct tournament. If they are really good coaches will come to you.

I'm sure your method works too but with a lot more helicopter sounds.

[Unregistered]

On the bright side the fussy over involved parents probably need something to keep them busy. So making it complicated isn't a terrible thing for them.

[Unregistered]

Can I just say that you all are a little nuts? Why worry about this stuff. Just let your daughter play and have fun and if she is indeed worthy of a scholarship for college soccer it will happen. The coaches will find the top players as long as they are going to the right tournaments and contacting a few select schools they are interested in.

A whole of of energy being expended by parents and it seems very wasteful.

If parents are handling it properly then it's their kids who do all the heavy lifting. As another said scholarships and roster spots don't just happen. It's WORK. A parent's job is to offer advice and guidance, and drive/visit the schools with their kids, ask questions. Yes I do think many parents are over-involved in the process, but parents being over involved in their kids lives is a broader societal problem. However, I can't do anything to change that. All I can do is make try to do the best job I can with my own kids. It isn't a one-size-fits-all situation. If something different works for a different family I don't care - their business, not mine.

[Unregistered]

Top 10% - very simple
Next 30 % - more work but still happens pretty easily
Other 60% - it can happen but takes a lot of work

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I'm not trolling. Just expressing my opinion that maybe parents should not be very involved in the process. I see parents get way too involved.

[Unregistered]

I'm not trolling. Just expressing my opinion that maybe parents should not be very involved in the process. I see parents get way too involved.

The ones who are too involved are also not likely to listen to any parenting advice - because naturally they know everything :)

[Unregistered]

The ones who are too involved are also not likely to listen to any parenting advice - because naturally they know everything :)

We could have a whole separate thread on parenting issues in youth sports. MTC - there is nothing wrong with guidance and I don't see why anyone would be offended with parents who are involved in the process (within reason, of course, which is very subjective). Isn't that part of "parenting"? Personally, I think the concept of "if you're good, they'll find you" is nonsense. We're not all parents of the Mallory Pugh's of the world and for players who are looking at playing outside of their geographic region, it takes work.