Pay-to-Play Sport at Private HS employing club coach - what's normal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does it work with SJC soccer? Does he have a program that is not club (e.g., Bethesda Soccer Club, Stoddert, Arlington)-based?

It's very similar to Diamond Skills - it is a private, for-profit entity that uses SJC facilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does it work with SJC soccer? Does he have a program that is not club (e.g., Bethesda Soccer Club, Stoddert, Arlington)-based?

It's very similar to Diamond Skills - it is a private, for-profit entity that uses SJC facilities.

There’s a summer camp (Salsoccer) and a club (Achilles).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the conference’s role in all of this? Don’t HS athletic conferences usually have rules to promote fair play and to protect the student athletes? In this case, with the WCAC, I’d think there might even be some “catholic values” that would come into play, no?

Anyone have any insight on this? I found the WCAC web site but there are no rules posted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the conference’s role in all of this? Don’t HS athletic conferences usually have rules to promote fair play and to protect the student athletes? In this case, with the WCAC, I’d think there might even be some “catholic values” that would come into play, no?

Anyone have any insight on this? I found the WCAC web site but there are no rules posted.

They have rules on when tryouts/practice can start for each season and limits on offseason interaction. Schools get around this by having strength and conditioning coaches who can work with students year round. I think it would be just about impossible to limit students from playing together in the off season on club teams - the kids have a right to play wherever they want in the WCAC offseason. Enforcement would be damn near impossible.

I think much of this could be addressed by requiring the coaches to be teachers, and not independent third parties. That would require a commitment to the institution, which a lot of these sketchy coaches would not want to make.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the conference’s role in all of this? Don’t HS athletic conferences usually have rules to promote fair play and to protect the student athletes? In this case, with the WCAC, I’d think there might even be some “catholic values” that would come into play, no?

Anyone have any insight on this? I found the WCAC web site but there are no rules posted.

They have rules on when tryouts/practice can start for each season and limits on offseason interaction. Schools get around this by having strength and conditioning coaches who can work with students year round. I think it would be just about impossible to limit students from playing together in the off season on club teams - the kids have a right to play wherever they want in the WCAC offseason. Enforcement would be damn near impossible.

I think much of this could be addressed by requiring the coaches to be teachers, and not independent third parties. That would require a commitment to the institution, which a lot of these sketchy coaches would not want to make.

Not at St. Johns they don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much of an issue is this at your regular neighborhood public high school?

Similar issue at Deal re basketball and baseball.

Sorry I’m late to the conversation but wanted to contest this statement. This is not true regarding baseball. The new Deal baseball coach (just started in Spring 19 season). While he is an hourly coach for 11u at Club baseball (Dynasty), he has no interest in whether kids play at Dynasty or not. He gets paid same hourly fee for coaching at Dynasty no matter what. Some parents at Deal felt that he started some Dynasty kids over Wild Bill/Win Within or maybe a kid that doesn’t play travel. The fact is, Dynasty, Win Within, Wild Bill have the best baseball players in DC. They will always represent the majority of the kids playing for Deal. My son plays in a DC little league (Cap City/NW), you quickly discover there is a gap between travel players and non at that age. Kid at our Little League that plays Majors already has like 8 HRs 5 games into the season. If I’m not mistaken, he goes to Deal and plays Dynasty. I’m sure he will be a starting player on the Deal team in the Spring. It’s unfair to say he’s only starting because he plays Dynasty, especially if the Dynasty coach doesn’t earn any more money either way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much of an issue is this at your regular neighborhood public high school?

Similar issue at Deal re basketball and baseball.

Sorry I’m late to the conversation but wanted to contest this statement. This is not true regarding baseball. The new Deal baseball coach (just started in Spring 19 season). While he is an hourly coach for 11u at Club baseball (Dynasty), he has no interest in whether kids play at Dynasty or not. He gets paid same hourly fee for coaching at Dynasty no matter what. Some parents at Deal felt that he started some Dynasty kids over Wild Bill/Win Within or maybe a kid that doesn’t play travel. The fact is, Dynasty, Win Within, Wild Bill have the best baseball players in DC. They will always represent the majority of the kids playing for Deal. My son plays in a DC little league (Cap City/NW), you quickly discover there is a gap between travel players and non at that age. Kid at our Little League that plays Majors already has like 8 HRs 5 games into the season. If I’m not mistaken, he goes to Deal and plays Dynasty. I’m sure he will be a starting player on the Deal team in the Spring. It’s unfair to say he’s only starting because he plays Dynasty, especially if the Dynasty coach doesn’t earn any more money either way.

I would have to disagree with this statement. The coach above cut students who were recruited to SJC and other schools and some who are being recruited that didnt play for Dynasty. While my child doesnt play I am close friends with 2 he cut that are on WCAC teams starting. Look at the team make up from last year. Only 3 players did not play for Dynasty and they were asked to try out a second time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much of an issue is this at your regular neighborhood public high school?

Similar issue at Deal re basketball and baseball.

Sorry I’m late to the conversation but wanted to contest this statement. This is not true regarding baseball. The new Deal baseball coach (just started in Spring 19 season). While he is an hourly coach for 11u at Club baseball (Dynasty), he has no interest in whether kids play at Dynasty or not. He gets paid same hourly fee for coaching at Dynasty no matter what. Some parents at Deal felt that he started some Dynasty kids over Wild Bill/Win Within or maybe a kid that doesn’t play travel. The fact is, Dynasty, Win Within, Wild Bill have the best baseball players in DC. They will always represent the majority of the kids playing for Deal. My son plays in a DC little league (Cap City/NW), you quickly discover there is a gap between travel players and non at that age. Kid at our Little League that plays Majors already has like 8 HRs 5 games into the season. If I’m not mistaken, he goes to Deal and plays Dynasty. I’m sure he will be a starting player on the Deal team in the Spring. It’s unfair to say he’s only starting because he plays Dynasty, especially if the Dynasty coach doesn’t earn any more money either way.

I would have to disagree with this statement. The coach above cut students who were recruited to SJC and other schools and some who are being recruited that didnt play for Dynasty. While my child doesnt play I am close friends with 2 he cut that are on WCAC teams starting. Look at the team make up from last year. Only 3 players did not play for Dynasty and they were asked to try out a second time.

Nonetheless (I don’t agree with final of three) but that particular coach gets no profit for kids that are at Dynasty. You can make a case that he picked kids that he knew hit it’s not the same as what’s being described here in pay/play. If it were the head Dynasty coach/owner I could see, but not a 24 years old hourly coach. I personally know the kid and he’s a stellar guy. He has no help, just him and 100 kids trying out and he has a full time job. Not an easy task. The truth is based on my personal, deep knowledge of 12u and 13u Dynasty, those players are the best in the city. Good for your friend for getting recruited by SJC, that’s great.

[Anonymous]

Well there you go folks. It doesn't get that much clearer. St. Johns is on its way to being the new IMG.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well there you go folks. It doesn't get that much clearer. St. Johns is on its way to being the new IMG.

I'm a SJC parent, and we have a family history with the school going back to the 70's. The school might as well pull down the cross above the main entrance and put up an Under Armour logo. The new money coming in has really unmoored them from their Catholic identity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well there you go folks. It doesn't get that much clearer. St. Johns is on its way to being the new IMG.

I'm a SJC parent, and we have a family history with the school going back to the 70's. The school might as well pull down the cross above the main entrance and put up an Under Armour logo. The new money coming in has really unmoored them from their Catholic identity.

+1000

[Anonymous]

I’m shocked this doesn’t violate WCAC rules.

[Anonymous]

Why’d the post with the news article link disappear?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why’d the post with the news article link disappear?

Specific kids were named in the post so maybe that why it was deleted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please say the school.

I would bet SJC.

I am betting SJC boys soccer. I have heard several families complain that unless you do his clubs your kid not only rides the bench but is cut.

Yep - Sal Caccavale at Saint John’s. - is this really that much of a surprise, especially for SJC? Sports are really all they care about- that and Plank money.