list the college commits from your Club for BOYS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

For boys that are not students, it may be the way to get into one of the those low tier academic schools and a good thing to get them to actually get a degree.

For the stellar students, I would never sacrifice or take a hit in academic trajectory/potential for soccer.

True Story:

Colleague #1 played for Radford University and obtained degree
Colleague #1 could have played at RU, but decided to pursue academics at UVA. Graduated.

10 years later;

Both work at the same job, same pay grade, same professional path. Is not always about the best school is what I learned from this situation.

I agree with all of this, and would never assume that merely deciding to go to UVA reflects a commitment to academic excellence (I went there and would not say more than 10-15% of students would fall into that category, maybe fewer), or that a decision to play and go to Radford means you cannot invest in academic excellence. But trying to be top-flight soccer and top-flight students anywhere is going to become mutually exclusive very quickly. That’s perhaps a different point than the one you are making.

Put differently, you could perhaps do better going to UVA and not playing soccer but devoting yourself to academic excellence than going to Columbia and playing soccer full-out while trying to graduate Phi Beta Kappa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

For boys that are not students, it may be the way to get into one of the those low tier academic schools and a good thing to get them to actually get a degree.

For the stellar students, I would never sacrifice or take a hit in academic trajectory/potential for soccer.

True Story:

Colleague #1 played for Radford University and obtained degree
Colleague #1 could have played at RU, but decided to pursue academics at UVA. Graduated.

10 years later;

Both work at the same job, same pay grade, same professional path. Is not always about the best school is what I learned from this situation.

I agree with all of this, and would never assume that merely deciding to go to UVA reflects a commitment to academic excellence (I went there and would not say more than 10-15% of students would fall into that category, maybe fewer), or that a decision to play and go to Radford means you cannot invest in academic excellence. But trying to be top-flight soccer and top-flight students anywhere is going to become mutually exclusive very quickly. That’s perhaps a different point than the one you are making.

Put differently, you could perhaps do better going to UVA and not playing soccer but devoting yourself to academic excellence than going to Columbia and playing soccer full-out while trying to graduate Phi Beta Kappa.

If you are good enough to get recruited D1, then you can probably parlay that into either a very good DIII school or a D1 school that may have been a reach otherwise

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the link posted above (https://scholarshipstats.com/soccer ) is really helpful and interesting. I’ve followed the updates for years. The first time I came across it, I was puzzled by the numbers because I knew, or knew of, scores of kids from here playing in college. In later updates, the author added this caveat: “The odds vary significantly depending on where you compete in High School. The odds of playing D1 are notably higher for players from the Mid-Atlantic states, but much lower for players in many other areas. The odds are especially low for states without NCAA I schools that sponsor men’s and/or women’s soccer.”

It’s really not nearly so hard to get recruited and play in college for boys or girls from our area as people on DCUM make it out to be. Another factor that’s helpful on the boys’ side is the recent increase in professional opportunities for men’s soccer. Compared to few years ago, a very significant number of players have opted to skip college and instead try their luck in Germany (or elsewhere), MLS teams are signing more homegrown teenagers, and other kids choose USL. This obviously opens up more spots at all the colleges that would have loved to recruit such talented players.

My advice to anyone who thinks their kid may want and be able to play in college? See if you can talk to the parents of kids in your club or community whose kids ended up at the level you are looking at. I get the sense that there are only a few of us on DCUM who have been through the process for boys, and there are some weird takes on these threads.

I think you need to open the links from college commits of local/top clubs (with the exception of Bethesda that actually has a fairly good track record for their boys) and you will see the low caliber of schools and the scarcity as well.

I’m more familiar with DA and MLSNext clubs, and most have good recruitment numbers/school quality. It stands to reason that clubs that play in lower level leagues will have fewer boys’ commits, but I also think some clubs do a poor job of updating their websites. Many don’t even list D3 commits, and most parents I know would be very happy if travel soccer led to admissions at MIT, a NESCAC, or any number of terrific schools with low acceptance rates and D3 teams.

In this area , no clubs even had older age MLSNext so you have zero data on that. And, for the most part, these are just the same 1st teams under new names.

With respect to DA, the Clubs listed at the time, include all of their teams---their DA teams too.

And, they list all college commits. Get real. Stop trying to sell parents and male players on a false crapshoot dream to pad your pockets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

For boys that are not students, it may be the way to get into one of the those low tier academic schools and a good thing to get them to actually get a degree.

For the stellar students, I would never sacrifice or take a hit in academic trajectory/potential for soccer.

True Story:

Colleague #1 played for Radford University and obtained degree
Colleague #2 could have played at RU, but decided to pursue academics at UVA. Graduated.

10 years later;

Both work at the same job, same pay grade, same professional path. Is not always about the best school is what I learned from this situation.

I hate how coaches in ECNL continuously "sell" you the college path. I would never sacrifice academics for soccer either.

+1

But get real...every.single.club we have had children play for sold the college path. I think the professional path some of these MLs clubs sell is, potentially, even more ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn't it just a "small percentage" of boys playing soccer who receive scholarships because way more boys than girls play soccer?

I mean, let's be real -- aside from a few niche areas, nobody and I mean nobody cares about girls sports at any level ... so it's just some boyish activity that girls get into because of federal laws mandating "equal" sports in college that drives the girls soccer craze. Otherwise, nobody cares.

NO. Not at all. There are more scholarships/$ available for girls. Football and basketball are the big college $ makers. They fill the stadiums, arenas, sell the gear, recruit the regular students, bring focus to the school.

this. Football has 85 full scholarships that have to be offset by women's sports. The result if that women's soccer teams have a max of 15 full scholarships and mens 10. There are also about 125 more D1 women's teams than mens because (as contrary to what PP said), no one care about college soccer played by either gender. The only benefit that either program brings to the school is the women's team's offset of football for title IX purposes

NFL teams have a roster of 55 players. HS rosters can be anywhere from 20-85 players. College rosters are bloated at 85 scholarships. Why should other college athletes not receive scholarships when the football program are providing a free ride to 30+ kids who are nothing but practice squad players?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn't it just a "small percentage" of boys playing soccer who receive scholarships because way more boys than girls play soccer?

I mean, let's be real -- aside from a few niche areas, nobody and I mean nobody cares about girls sports at any level ... so it's just some boyish activity that girls get into because of federal laws mandating "equal" sports in college that drives the girls soccer craze. Otherwise, nobody cares.

NO. Not at all. There are more scholarships/$ available for girls. Football and basketball are the big college $ makers. They fill the stadiums, arenas, sell the gear, recruit the regular students, bring focus to the school.

this. Football has 85 full scholarships that have to be offset by women's sports. The result if that women's soccer teams have a max of 15 full scholarships and mens 10. There are also about 125 more D1 women's teams than mens because (as contrary to what PP said), no one care about college soccer played by either gender. The only benefit that either program brings to the school is the women's team's offset of football for title IX purposed

NFL teams have a roster of 55 players. HS rosters can be anywhere from 20-85 players. College rosters are bloated at 85 scholarships. Why should other college athletes not receive scholarships when the football program are providing a free ride to 30+ kids who are nothing but practice squad players?

Cost too much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the link posted above (https://scholarshipstats.com/soccer ) is really helpful and interesting. I’ve followed the updates for years. The first time I came across it, I was puzzled by the numbers because I knew, or knew of, scores of kids from here playing in college. In later updates, the author added this caveat: “The odds vary significantly depending on where you compete in High School. The odds of playing D1 are notably higher for players from the Mid-Atlantic states, but much lower for players in many other areas. The odds are especially low for states without NCAA I schools that sponsor men’s and/or women’s soccer.”

It’s really not nearly so hard to get recruited and play in college for boys or girls from our area as people on DCUM make it out to be. Another factor that’s helpful on the boys’ side is the recent increase in professional opportunities for men’s soccer. Compared to few years ago, a very significant number of players have opted to skip college and instead try their luck in Germany (or elsewhere), MLS teams are signing more homegrown teenagers, and other kids choose USL. This obviously opens up more spots at all the colleges that would have loved to recruit such talented players.

My advice to anyone who thinks their kid may want and be able to play in college? See if you can talk to the parents of kids in your club or community whose kids ended up at the level you are looking at. I get the sense that there are only a few of us on DCUM who have been through the process for boys, and there are some weird takes on these threads.

I think you need to open the links from college commits of local/top clubs (with the exception of Bethesda that actually has a fairly good track record for their boys) and you will see the low caliber of schools and the scarcity as well.

I’m more familiar with DA and MLSNext clubs, and most have good recruitment numbers/school quality. It stands to reason that clubs that play in lower level leagues will have fewer boys’ commits, but I also think some clubs do a poor job of updating their websites. Many don’t even list D3 commits, and most parents I know would be very happy if travel soccer led to admissions at MIT, a NESCAC, or any number of terrific schools with low acceptance rates and D3 teams.

In this area , no clubs even had older age MLSNext so you have zero data on that. And, for the most part, these are just the same 1st teams under new names.

With respect to DA, the Clubs listed at the time, include all of their teams---their DA teams too.

And, they list all college commits. Get real. Stop trying to sell parents and male players on a false crapshoot dream to pad your pockets.

Hmm. I admit that it has been a couple years since I followed the HS age groups in the local scene closely, but I am under the impression that BSC, Baltimore Armour, and DC United still have MLSNext teams for U17 and U19. No? I’m not trying to sell anyone on anything. I just don’t want parents who don’t have friends at their club to feel like playing in college for boys is a hopeless goal because of cynical people like you. Do you not know a lot of male players at D1 and D3 schools? If you don’t, why are you posting here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

For boys that are not students, it may be the way to get into one of the those low tier academic schools and a good thing to get them to actually get a degree.

For the stellar students, I would never sacrifice or take a hit in academic trajectory/potential for soccer.

True Story:

Colleague #1 played for Radford University and obtained degree
Colleague #2 could have played at RU, but decided to pursue academics at UVA. Graduated.

10 years later;

Both work at the same job, same pay grade, same professional path. Is not always about the best school is what I learned from this situation.

Obvioulsy, Colleague #2, partied too hard at UVA . I am a GS-15 Fed in STEM and we have no Radford degrees at my agency, but plenty of Ivies and Tech, UVA grads.

I've never worked with a Radford grad. I do know teachers at ps though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the link posted above (https://scholarshipstats.com/soccer ) is really helpful and interesting. I’ve followed the updates for years. The first time I came across it, I was puzzled by the numbers because I knew, or knew of, scores of kids from here playing in college. In later updates, the author added this caveat: “The odds vary significantly depending on where you compete in High School. The odds of playing D1 are notably higher for players from the Mid-Atlantic states, but much lower for players in many other areas. The odds are especially low for states without NCAA I schools that sponsor men’s and/or women’s soccer.”

It’s really not nearly so hard to get recruited and play in college for boys or girls from our area as people on DCUM make it out to be. Another factor that’s helpful on the boys’ side is the recent increase in professional opportunities for men’s soccer. Compared to few years ago, a very significant number of players have opted to skip college and instead try their luck in Germany (or elsewhere), MLS teams are signing more homegrown teenagers, and other kids choose USL. This obviously opens up more spots at all the colleges that would have loved to recruit such talented players.

My advice to anyone who thinks their kid may want and be able to play in college? See if you can talk to the parents of kids in your club or community whose kids ended up at the level you are looking at. I get the sense that there are only a few of us on DCUM who have been through the process for boys, and there are some weird takes on these threads.

I think you need to open the links from college commits of local/top clubs (with the exception of Bethesda that actually has a fairly good track record for their boys) and you will see the low caliber of schools and the scarcity as well.

I’m more familiar with DA and MLSNext clubs, and most have good recruitment numbers/school quality. It stands to reason that clubs that play in lower level leagues will have fewer boys’ commits, but I also think some clubs do a poor job of updating their websites. Many don’t even list D3 commits, and most parents I know would be very happy if travel soccer led to admissions at MIT, a NESCAC, or any number of terrific schools with low acceptance rates and D3 teams.

In this area , no clubs even had older age MLSNext so you have zero data on that. And, for the most part, these are just the same 1st teams under new names.

With respect to DA, the Clubs listed at the time, include all of their teams---their DA teams too.

And, they list all college commits. Get real. Stop trying to sell parents and male players on a false crapshoot dream to pad your pockets.

Hmm. I admit that it has been a couple years since I followed the HS age groups in the local scene closely, but I am under the impression that BSC, Baltimore Armour, and DC United still have MLSNext teams for U17 and U19. No? I’m not trying to sell anyone on anything. I just don’t want parents who don’t have friends at their club to feel like playing in college for boys is a hopeless goal because of cynical people like you. Do you not know a lot of male players at D1 and D3 schools? If you don’t, why are you posting here?

You listed 2 Clubs in Maryland and an actual MLS Academy. Not the 101+ travel clubs across just NoVA selling false college dreams for males. I think the point is that: no. the Clubs have this data and there are very little academically worthy or even 'name recgonition' schools for commits, and even those are a complete scarcity.

It's not a scare tactic. It's realism. It is a dose of reality to those that have no idea what they are chasing and what is actually available (vs what they are told at U11//12/13/14/15, etc.). It can save some male players a lot of heartache and start to plan alternatives (keeping up those GPAs!!) if they realized this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

For boys that are not students, it may be the way to get into one of the those low tier academic schools and a good thing to get them to actually get a degree.

For the stellar students, I would never sacrifice or take a hit in academic trajectory/potential for soccer.

True Story:

Colleague #1 played for Radford University and obtained degree
Colleague #2 could have played at RU, but decided to pursue academics at UVA. Graduated.

10 years later;

Both work at the same job, same pay grade, same professional path. Is not always about the best school is what I learned from this situation.

Obvioulsy, Colleague #2, partied too hard at UVA . I am a GS-15 Fed in STEM and we have no Radford degrees at my agency, but plenty of Ivies and Tech, UVA grads.

I've never worked with a Radford grad. I do know teachers at ps though.

I can honestly say I do not know a single Radford grad. I grew up in NoVa too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

For boys that are not students, it may be the way to get into one of the those low tier academic schools and a good thing to get them to actually get a degree.

For the stellar students, I would never sacrifice or take a hit in academic trajectory/potential for soccer.

True Story:

Colleague #1 played for Radford University and obtained degree
Colleague #2 could have played at RU, but decided to pursue academics at UVA. Graduated.

10 years later;

Both work at the same job, same pay grade, same professional path. Is not always about the best school is what I learned from this situation.

I hate how coaches in ECNL continuously "sell" you the college path. I would never sacrifice academics for soccer either.



Obvioulsy, Colleague #2, partied too hard at UVA . I am a GS-15 Fed in STEM and we have no Radford degrees at my agency, but plenty of Ivies and Tech, UVA grads.

ELT (Gov) here w/Radford undergrad degree, Masters @GMason. Radford was a great experience and good school for a person in my situation.. If offered an athletic scholarship to RU, take it. Don't be a fool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

For boys that are not students, it may be the way to get into one of the those low tier academic schools and a good thing to get them to actually get a degree.

For the stellar students, I would never sacrifice or take a hit in academic trajectory/potential for soccer.

True Story:

Colleague #1 played for Radford University and obtained degree
Colleague #2 could have played at RU, but decided to pursue academics at UVA. Graduated.

10 years later;

Both work at the same job, same pay grade, same professional path. Is not always about the best school is what I learned from this situation.

Obvioulsy, Colleague #2, partied too hard at UVA . I am a GS-15 Fed in STEM and we have no Radford degrees at my agency, but plenty of Ivies and Tech, UVA grads.

I've never worked with a Radford grad. I do know teachers at ps though.

I can honestly say I do not know a single Radford grad. I grew up in NoVa too.

That you know who went where at your agency says a lot about both you and the size of your agency. Whatever makes you feel better about being a GS-15.

[Anonymous]

RantingSoccerDad wrote:FWIW, Bethesda jumped 40 places to #25 in the most recent SoccerWire compilation of YouthSoccerRankings data:

https://www.soccerwire.com/news/new-no-1-club-featured-for-first-time-in-soccerwire-top-100-boys-rankings/

This is based on results, of course, not subjective opinions on development, so make of it what you will.

10. DC United
25. Bethesda
38. Arlington
51. Pipeline
70. Richmond United
91. VDA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:FWIW, Bethesda jumped 40 places to #25 in the most recent SoccerWire compilation of YouthSoccerRankings data:

https://www.soccerwire.com/news/new-no-1-club-featured-for-first-time-in-soccerwire-top-100-boys-rankings/

This is based on results, of course, not subjective opinions on development, so make of it what you will.

10. DC United
25. Bethesda
38. Arlington
51. Pipeline
70. Richmond United
91. VDA

It has nothing to do with college scholarships for boys. It does not change the narrative of this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

For boys that are not students, it may be the way to get into one of the those low tier academic schools and a good thing to get them to actually get a degree.

For the stellar students, I would never sacrifice or take a hit in academic trajectory/potential for soccer.

True Story:

Colleague #1 played for Radford University and obtained degree
Colleague #2 could have played at RU, but decided to pursue academics at UVA. Graduated.

10 years later;

Both work at the same job, same pay grade, same professional path. Is not always about the best school is what I learned from this situation.

Obvioulsy, Colleague #2, partied too hard at UVA . I am a GS-15 Fed in STEM and we have no Radford degrees at my agency, but plenty of Ivies and Tech, UVA grads.

Your mistake is you took a gov. job. You could have made a lot more in the commercial world. But you wanted to play it safe ...