Yeah, if the mom had simply said, we are done with "the chase" and are just ready to simply enjoy watching their DD play soccer without added pressure of worrying about wins, recruiting etc sure.

But just imagine resenting the time spent up till this point is quite selfish. If your kid enjoyed playing and the overall experience then you should too.

I get it that it is a lot work, early weekend mornings, long drives, all of that but what else where you going to do with the time?

I regret not taking a few more family based 3 day weekends but I certainly don't resent it either.

Anonymous wrote:It’s not about a goal. It’s about the experience… you missed the point.

Best response of the Month.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the point of D1 soccer? Do players get full ride scholarship offers?

The sport is fun and all but where does D1 soccer lead? There is no money in professional women sports, so it's not even a lottery ticket.

Very few get full rides. But that is not the point, the point is to continue doing something you love while getting an education, creating memories along the way.
Most college sports lead nowhere. Life ends for everyone. The point is to love something.

Ok, my kid plays club soccer in college at a great D1 academic school. Serves the same purpose for her that you mentioned ... but with about 50% of the time commitment involved.

Sounds like the best of both worlds.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The long car drives are one of my favorite parts about travel (father-daughter). Getting some pre-game snacks/coffee at the start, driving through new territory, riffing on random topics, gearing up when we're 20 minutes out, etc. And after the game, stopping for some food and chatting about the highlights. It's like a field trip that's never gotten old.

My ds is still young (u10) but this is what I love also.

Yeah. That will all stop in a few years when she won't want to talk with you in the car at all any more. Then you'll just have a long drive.

Haha. Sucks to be you I guess. My U19 DD and I have a great relationship.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The long car drives are one of my favorite parts about travel (father-daughter). Getting some pre-game snacks/coffee at the start, driving through new territory, riffing on random topics, gearing up when we're 20 minutes out, etc. And after the game, stopping for some food and chatting about the highlights. It's like a field trip that's never gotten old.

My ds is still young (u10) but this is what I love also.

Yeah. That will all stop in a few years when she won't want to talk with you in the car at all any more. Then you'll just have a long drive.

Anonymous wrote:About the D 1 soccer question…athletes seemed “owned” by the school. On planes to travel to other schools for maybe 40 people to watch the game (and some of the spectators parents of the kids.)

My eyes were opened.

If someone loves it, cool. But I’d personally rather spend time ON campus and get to know new people and have fun.

Of course they love it! They also have 20+ built-in friends and an automatic connection with other athletes. It was such a social safety net for me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the point of D1 soccer? Do players get full ride scholarship offers?

The sport is fun and all but [b]where does D1 soccer lead? [b]There is no money in professional women sports, so it's not even a lottery ticket.

ACL tears and concussions.

Traveling extensively and missing football games and college fun.

Having a hard time juggling academics.

I specifically chose a college that didn't have a football team because I didn't want that drunk frat boy date rape vibe in my school. Collegiate athletics come with a ton of academic support. Coaches are totally on top of how their athletes are doing academically. Unless you are a start bball or footbal player going pro, you will only benefit from playing a sport.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the point of D1 soccer? Do players get full ride scholarship offers?

The sport is fun and all but where does D1 soccer lead? There is no money in professional women sports, so it's not even a lottery ticket.

Very few get full rides. But that is not the point, the point is to continue doing something you love while getting an education, creating memories along the way.
Most college sports lead nowhere. Life ends for everyone. The point is to love something.

Ok, my kid plays club soccer in college at a great D1 academic school. Serves the same purpose for her that you mentioned ... but with about 50% of the time commitment involved.

Ask D1 players how much they dislike the time commitment, I'm sure it will be very few. It provided the structure for me to succeed at academics. Not to mention, I got to pick my classes before the rest of the student body. The confidence you get from doing something so very hard is incredibly rewarding.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the point of D1 soccer? Do players get full ride scholarship offers?

The sport is fun and all but where does D1 soccer lead? There is no money in professional women sports, so it's not even a lottery ticket.

Very few get full rides. But that is not the point, the point is to continue doing something you love while getting an education, creating memories along the way.
Most college sports lead nowhere. Life ends for everyone. The point is to love something.

Yup. I got college paid for and had an amazing experience playing on that team. I built an incredible fitness foundation and built tons of character. Playing competitive soccer helped me grow stronger mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally. So glad I did it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the point of D1 soccer? Do players get full ride scholarship offers?

The sport is fun and all but where does D1 soccer lead? There is no money in professional women sports, so it's not even a lottery ticket.

Very few get full rides. But that is not the point, the point is to continue doing something you love while getting an education, creating memories along the way.
Most college sports lead nowhere. Life ends for everyone. The point is to love something.

Ok, my kid plays club soccer in college at a great D1 academic school. Serves the same purpose for her that you mentioned ... but with about 50% of the time commitment involved.

Anonymous wrote:Kid just made varsity as a freshman following very competitive try-outs.
It only took 7 years of high level travel soccer to get here.
Can I quit driving and get my weekends back now? Anyone else feel this way?
I am done.
College recruitment seems like a crapshoot I'd rather not have to live through.
I'd like to consider the goal reached.

So no more travel soccer for your kid? Your kid will get recruited more easily in a travel club than playing for their high school. I totally agree, would love to stop travel soccer when my kid gets to HS, but kid wants to play in college so best route is to stay with ECNL team. From what I've researched not a lot of HS soccer coaches will try and get their players recruited. When kid gets to HS will work with HS coach to come up with a coordinated training plan with ECNL team.

Anonymous wrote:Not to come across as an Ahole. But the top HS players in the area play HS soccer in the Spring.

How is that if you season is in the fall? Are you saying on Virginia has top high school players?