Why play in college
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Anonymous
| Well I can tell you why my son wants to play in college. Soccer is the only activity he really enjoys. He would play every day if he could. He thinks it will make college more enjoyable and help him build friendships. He knows he isn’t going pro but he can still dream and hopes to coach as an adult. He works hard academically but he isn’t a superstar or even close to it. What keeps him motivated academically is the thought of playing college soccer so I am happy to encourage it. |
Anonymous
Finally. Someone who doesn't sound like a total Richard with their answer. Good for your son, and for you. I hope he keeps it up and ends up getting to play in college, even if it is at "No Name U" aka 95% of the colleges and Universities in the country according to some here (where they likely went also). I sincerely hope he makes it, has fun, graduates and finds a job that isn't a slog for the rest of his working life. |
Anonymous
| All of which will still be fully attainable via club sports at each college if the future of the NCAA goes the way people are thinking. |
Anonymous
Why does this have to be the goal post that measures the interest in playing in college? Perhaps a student still enjoys their sport and wants to continue at a high level. Perhaps it's a great way to stay in shape and develop a community of like-mind people at college. Perhaps they find it helps them mentally and with time management. I just don't understand this obsession with "it has to be pro" or nothing. Also absolutely nothing wrong with coaching. I doubt that most of the students playing college in soccer see it as a career. They do it because they enjoy the sport. |
Anonymous
This is not how to look at this. What a college athlete has going for them is not "I played soccer" bullet point, but what playing soccer has provided them from a skills perspective. A high-performing athlete is going to be good under pressure, they are going to know how to work together in a team, they are going to know how to persevere when things are tough, they know how to manage their time. An employer will know that and realize they have proven skills that others don't. |
Anonymous
Were you not good enough to play college sports or did you have a bad experience? |
Anonymous
College soccer is going nowhere. On the women's side I can say that as an absolute. But most likely on the men's side as well. While there could be changes -- all will be navigated. Schools do not want to give up sports. Title IX will also still require women's sports to match men's. |
Anonymous
Define going nowhere. Pro? What percentage of college players also have the ambition to play pro? Club sports can be high performing, but not all schools have club sports that are. I think a player that is good enough for college would be bored/unmotivated by a vast majority of club soccer programs. Again the common theme I am seeing is that folks feel like there is only one pathway or one reason to continue playing in college. For those interested in the pro route, then yes college soccer might not be the best pathway. But it should be noted that there are MANY reasons to play in college. It should also be noted what pathway you are talking about when you say college soccer isn't going anywhere. Clarity here is key. |
Anonymous
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Reasons to Play College Soccer
1. Love of the game 2. Scholarship money (although a lot less than most people think) 3. Admissions boost for prestigious schools (more than most people think) 4. Priority registration, free tutors, VIP treatment |
Anonymous
| I played soccer for my fraternity, does that count? We were IM champions. |
Anonymous
For my current Senior. #1. Only #1. He's obsessed. This is a kid with an UW4.0/4.4w at a tough private and a 36 ACT that got into many T10, T20, T25 schools on his own academically. His decision is held up while talking to coaches. An injury (out for a year) made him unable to be recruited/no film last year. He has worked his butt off coming back from injury with PT, training, etc. and still loves every minute of it. The schools are all good, but he will likely go where he can play. A lot of his friends burned out and hung up the cleats. I did that too. If anything, my kid is even more into soccer than he was several years ago. I think late development (size) is part of it. |
Anonymous
| I think the real question OP is asking is opportunity cost. With that much amount of time, energy, money poured into soccer, what else can you achieve if you choose not to use the above resources on soccer? |
Anonymous
Agreed but how is OP’s question any different from anything else you pour your heart and soul into for years, but ultimately decide not to pursue? How many of us work in a field that matches our undergraduate major? Or if we want to go down that route, how many of us are divorced 😂? |
Anonymous
Agreed. I feel like there is an undercurrent that putting time and energy into a sport like soccer is seen as a negative. And yet I know many who spent time and money on music, dance, art etc. And eventually, it drops by the wayside as well - certainly countless hours went into those activities as well. I think having a passion for anything is a good thing. Overtime that might change but I don't see why it has become such a hot-button topic. I'm grateful my kid had something they wanted to spend all their time doing. It helped them through covid, provided them with confidence, built relationships. All positives to me and worth every penny and every minute. |
Anonymous