A-AA 2012

[cookevillesoccer]

There are always exceptions, of course. But it is no myth. I'm sure the Tennessee Tech coach sees local players, and probably went to some of Jessica Wilson's games to see her play, just as the UTC coach will go see a few local games when he can. The odds are not in a players favor though if they don't play club ball. Just sayin'.

 

Rural vs. urban time!

 

I'll argue that, in a rural area, that a player has a better chance of being recruited from high school than from a travel team. Anecdotal evidence might not always be the most convincing, but I'll offer it anyways. The local club here fields two D2-level travel teams for the high school age group--generally u16 and u18. We don't have the numbers, the resources, or the coaching (Tech's Brizard is the only coach in town with a USSF C or higher) to compete at the D1 level. Someday, I hope, but that someday isn't anytime soon. Anyways, D2 doesn't get all that much attention from college coaches, who, as you stated, can make a better use of their time attending showcases. Try being a D2 club and having your teams get invited to showcases. Doesn't happen often. UCUSC sent a team to a showcase for the first time ever in January this year. There's just not a lot of opportunity for exposure in this area (and other rural areas), and the nearest D1 clubs are 75+ miles away. Players living in or close to metropolitan areas are at a huge advantage here, but that's a topic that's been beaten into the ground. These aren't complaints, just reality.

 

I thought about it some and realized that I've had more players get attention from high school than from travel ball. We're not talking about D1 colleges here, of course, but D3 and NAIA schools, which are perfectly good options for continuing education and a soccer career.

[ChattanoogaCannon]

I have no idea whether it fact or fiction.....all I was saying if a truely elite player is playing HS only because geographically playing club would tax a families resources, then I would think colleges have a way of locating these kids too. Lets say your coaching an Elite Club and you spot a player that you want in your program but the parents stonewall your efforts citing travel and expenses as major deterients to playing. Now say a college coach asks you if there are any prospects out there that he might not be aware of...do you supress that information just because the player didn't play for you. I have always know that when you have a GEM.....there are always people eager to find it!!!!

 

Kazzy

 

Discussing high school vs club soccer invariably turns into trying to argue religion with an atheist. My attittude for people who don't believe club soccer matters for college scholarships is that it doesn't really matter what you believe. Why not cover your bases? I am glad that most club players in Tennessee play high school ball. They have their bases covered. For the players in Oneida, it is unfortunate that they would have to travel a good ways to get to a club team. They wouldn't be the first to do so. Hopefully, it will work out for them. I promise there is a better chance of it working out the more exposure they have.

[kazam37]

I never stated that Club Soccer didn't matter? I didn't say anything opposing it.....I don't regard it as a "deteriant" to a kids opportunity to play in college, if fact I'm quite sure playing club is looked at quite favorably in the college ranks. I'm glad that most High School kids play Club Soccer.....they have their bases covered. Just the other way of saying your sentence.

 

Kazzy