Freshman DD experience at D1 so far

[Anonymous]

Roast me if you feel you need to.

My DD is loving her experience at her D1 college. She is fighting for minutes on the field, she is making friends, she is having a blast.

The one thing my DD told me that differs from Local club soccer is that she feels the Coach 100% wants to find the best players on her squad to put on the field.

Gone are the days of favoritism or nepotism or any other reason not to give a kid a shot. My DD understands if she does not play in a game there is a reason and the coaching staff works with her to improve on what is needed to get her on the field.

End of the day, she got lucky. There has been no team drama, only encouragement and positivity from her teammates and coaching staff....

Question goes out to other Freshman parents, how is D1 college soccer going for your kid?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the update and words of encouragement!

Previous posters have said Club Soccer is almost Toxic. Where favoritism and nepotism played a role in player selection and actual coaching feedback is hard to come by.

Glad your DD has found a good program!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for sharing her experience. DD just verbally committed and is looking forward to escaping the club culture. But, she has a two year road ahead, so still got to keep working.

I'll share your post with her!

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Go Louisville!

[Anonymous]

I am happy she is having a good experience, but it’s only AUGUST!

[Anonymous]

Which school?

[Anonymous]

Fighting for minutes on the field? Sounds awesome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the update and words of encouragement!

Previous posters have said Club Soccer is almost Toxic. Where favoritism and nepotism played a role in player selection and actual coaching feedback is hard to come by.

Glad your DD has found a good program!

College soccer is way worse than club. Most of the coaches have their favorites, don't tell the kids the truth about where they stand on the roster and it's a grind. If you are not one of the best players on the team it can be a rough road for sure. That's why so many girls don't play and transfer. Finding a great fit is really hard even you try and make a great decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the update and words of encouragement!

Previous posters have said Club Soccer is almost Toxic. Where favoritism and nepotism played a role in player selection and actual coaching feedback is hard to come by.

Glad your DD has found a good program!

College soccer is way worse than club. Most of the coaches have their favorites, don't tell the kids the truth about where they stand on the roster and it's a grind. If you are not one of the best players on the team it can be a rough road for sure. That's why so many girls don't play and transfer. Finding a great fit is really hard even you try and make a great decision.

Yeah, same. I’d wait a little longer than 2 weeks to spike the football.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the update and words of encouragement!

Previous posters have said Club Soccer is almost Toxic. Where favoritism and nepotism played a role in player selection and actual coaching feedback is hard to come by.

Glad your DD has found a good program!

College soccer is way worse than club. Most of the coaches have their favorites, don't tell the kids the truth about where they stand on the roster and it's a grind. If you are not one of the best players on the team it can be a rough road for sure. That's why so many girls don't play and transfer. Finding a great fit is really hard even you try and make a great decision.

As a senior parent I can confirm the above and add some other pertinent information. Coaches are incredibly manipulative and dishonest. There is no challenging them if you hope to ever see the field. Pre-season is what it is but the actual season brings out the worst in them. Prepare yourself for all the injuries your child will accumulate. If they aren’t a starter they’ll be overworked and under appreciated. Make sure they get to know the athletic trainers early on. Wait until you get the call that your child didn’t travel to an away game this year. There are very few soccer related positive moments for freshman players competing against 21 year olds. Coaches care about winning and freshman are rarely part of that process. The worst part is the spring season. That’s when the serious injuries rear their ugly head. By summer break players hurt all over. Then it’s time for summer soccer(which isn’t optional if you want to play in the fall). Oh, and juggling a full academic schedule is difficult with all of the soccer commitments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the update and words of encouragement!

Previous posters have said Club Soccer is almost Toxic. Where favoritism and nepotism played a role in player selection and actual coaching feedback is hard to come by.

Glad your DD has found a good program!

College soccer is way worse than club. Most of the coaches have their favorites, don't tell the kids the truth about where they stand on the roster and it's a grind. If you are not one of the best players on the team it can be a rough road for sure. That's why so many girls don't play and transfer. Finding a great fit is really hard even you try and make a great decision.

As a senior parent I can confirm the above and add some other pertinent information. Coaches are incredibly manipulative and dishonest. There is no challenging them if you hope to ever see the field. Pre-season is what it is but the actual season brings out the worst in them. Prepare yourself for all the injuries your child will accumulate. If they aren’t a starter they’ll be overworked and under appreciated. Make sure they get to know the athletic trainers early on. Wait until you get the call that your child didn’t travel to an away game this year. There are very few soccer related positive moments for freshman players competing against 21 year olds. Coaches care about winning and freshman are rarely part of that process. The worst part is the spring season. That’s when the serious injuries rear their ugly head. By summer break players hurt all over. Then it’s time for summer soccer(which isn’t optional if you want to play in the fall). Oh, and juggling a full academic schedule is difficult with all of the soccer commitments.

Thanks for sharing - That's a lot to process and doesn't necessarily paint a very positive picture of the college soccer experience. Is there anything positive that you can share that you child has experienced?

[Anonymous]

Wait have classes started yet? Games? This seems so early to make this kind of declaration.

When your child is traveling, fighting for minutes, having required workout hours, studying for exams, and trying to have a social life, check back in. I’d love for you to update us at the end of the semester.

I hope it continues this way and you only have positive things to report.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the update and words of encouragement!

Previous posters have said Club Soccer is almost Toxic. Where favoritism and nepotism played a role in player selection and actual coaching feedback is hard to come by.

Glad your DD has found a good program!

College soccer is way worse than club. Most of the coaches have their favorites, don't tell the kids the truth about where they stand on the roster and it's a grind. If you are not one of the best players on the team it can be a rough road for sure. That's why so many girls don't play and transfer. Finding a great fit is really hard even you try and make a great decision.

As a senior parent I can confirm the above and add some other pertinent information. Coaches are incredibly manipulative and dishonest. There is no challenging them if you hope to ever see the field. Pre-season is what it is but the actual season brings out the worst in them. Prepare yourself for all the injuries your child will accumulate. If they aren’t a starter they’ll be overworked and under appreciated. Make sure they get to know the athletic trainers early on. Wait until you get the call that your child didn’t travel to an away game this year. There are very few soccer related positive moments for freshman players competing against 21 year olds. Coaches care about winning and freshman are rarely part of that process. The worst part is the spring season. That’s when the serious injuries rear their ugly head. By summer break players hurt all over. Then it’s time for summer soccer(which isn’t optional if you want to play in the fall). Oh, and juggling a full academic schedule is difficult with all of the soccer commitments.

Thanks for sharing - That's a lot to process and doesn't necessarily paint a very positive picture of the college soccer experience. Is there anything positive that you can share that you child has experienced?

D1 soccer teaches athletes about time management by default. It ingrains grit and commitment. They grow up fast. It also demonstrates these qualities to future employers. Your child will be in the best shape of her life. She’ll make friends for life as well. If she’s talented and tough enough her sweat equity will be rewarded with playing time.