SO . . . YOU WANT

TO PLAY

COLLEGE SOCCER?Updated March 11, 2013

Know Your ABCs…..• NCAA – National Collegiate Athletic Association

(Divisions I, II & III)

• NAIA – National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics

• NJCAA – National Junior College Athletic Association (Divisions I & III)

• NCCAA – National Christian College Athletic Association (Divisions I & II)

NCAA Division I• How Many Schools: There are 205 men's soccer

programs in Division I, including powerhouses like Notre Dame, Indiana and Akron. There are 324 women's programs, including titans like Stanford, North Carolina and Penn State.

• Scholarship Count: Women's soccer is allowed 14 scholarships. Men's soccer is allowed 9.9 scholarships.

• Scholarship Breakdown: Scholarships can be full or partial rides at the Division-I level, but with rosters exceeding 20 players, they are used carefully.

NCAA Division II• How Many Schools: There are 204 men's programs,

and 258 women's programs like powerhouses in Division II soccer. Men’s powerhouses include Saginaw Valley State & Simon Frasier. Women’s are West Florida & UC-San Diego.

• Scholarship Count: Women's soccer has 9.9 scholarships to work with. Men have nine scholarships.

• Scholarship Breakdown: Partial rides are common in Division II soccer, as coaches can distribute the money to as many players as they wish.

NCAA Division III• How Many Schools: Division III soccer consists of 408

men's programs and 434 women's programs. Powers include Messiah, Ohio Northern and Loras for the men and Emory, Messiah & Wheaton for the women.

• Scholarship Count: Athletic scholarships are not offered or allowed in Division III athletics.

• Scholarship Breakdown: With no athletic scholarships, students often find financial aid or academic scholarships to assist with costs while playing soccer.

NAIA• How Many Schools: There 198 men's programs

in the NAIA and 198 women's programs.

• Scholarship Count: Both men's and women's soccer are allowed 12 scholarships per team.

• Scholarship Breakdown: Partial scholarships are common. Strong students who meet certain academic criteria can receive aid without it counting toward the program's limit.

NJCAA Division I• How Many Schools: There are 146 men's soccer

programs at the junior-college level and 132 women's programs.

• Scholarship Count: Men's and women's soccer are allowed 18 scholarships at the junior-college level.

• Scholarship Breakdown: Many scholarships at the junior-college level are full rides, but partial rides are common, too.

NJCAA Division III

• How Many Schools: There are 81 men's programs in NJCAA Division III, and 67 women's programs.

• Scholarship Count: Much like Division III four-year schools, D-III schools at the junior-college level do not offer scholarships.

By the numbers….programs

Division Women's Men's

NCAA Division I 324 205

NCAA Division II 258 204

NCAA Division III 434 408

NAIA 198 198

NJCAA Division I 132 146

NJCAA Division III 67 81

Athletic scholarships maximum..

Division Women Men

NCAA Division I 14 9.9

NCAA Division II 9.9 9

NCAA Division III - -

NAIA 12 12

NJCAA Division I 18 18

NJCAA Division III - -

(Not all schools are fully funded…)

The Recruiting Process

• Myth:“Schools will recruit me!”

• Truth: Most players/parents end

up recruiting the school

The Recruiting Process• Myth:

“Walk on players never get anywhere.”

• Truth: Some walk-on players can end up with more scholarship money than “regulars”!

The Recruiting Process• Step 1 – Research Schools

– Size and location, academics– Quality of soccer program, coach, roster size and

grade breakdown

• Step 2 – Make List of Potential Schools– Include a few long shots, but majority of realistic

choices• Step 3 – Contact Coach

– e-mail is usually most effective– Inform coach of schedule for high school or club – Be sure to put jersey number, jersey colors, potential

positions, field number, and opponent

The Recruiting Process• Step 4 – Set up a College Visit

– Official Visit – Paid for by the school• Allowed only five• Can start after July 15 going into Senior year of h.s.

– Unofficial Visit: Paid for on your own • Unlimited• Can take anytime

– Alert the coach that you are coming and request meeting

– Tour the campus, meet with admissions, etc…

The Recruiting Process

• Step 5 – Follow up – Let the coach know what you thought of

the visit and if you’d like to continue to stay in contact

• Step 6 – Rank Visits– Keep a personal reflection after each visit

Recruiting Rules for D1• A prospective student-athlete can call coach at

anytime• Coach can’t call a recruit until after July 1 of

senior year in high school, then only once a week• A prospective student-athlete can e-mail coach

at anytime, but coach can’t return e-mail until prospect’s junior year

• Parent/Player shouldn’t approach college coach at a showcase or tournament.

Recruiting Rules for Everyone Else• A prospective student-athlete can call or e-mail

coach at anytime• D2 Coach can’t call a recruit until after July 1 of

junior year in high school• Less restrictions for D3, NAIA & NJCAA• New rule – coach can text you• Parent/Player shouldn’t approach college coach

at a showcase or tournament.

When to Start the Process (FEMALES)

• Process much earlier than males• DIVISION I LEVEL

– Evaluation = Freshman or Sophomore Year– Commitments = Sophomore or Junior Year

• DIVISION II LEVEL– Evaluation = Sophomore or Junior Year– Commitments = Junior Year, Early Senior Year

• DIVISION III LEVEL– Commitments = Senior Year

• Signing Period = Early February

When to Start the Process(Males)

• Pressure to decide early not as great as girls• Identification starts during junior year. • Start visiting schools during junior year• Signing Date the same as females (Middle of

February)

How to Gain ExposureClub vs. High School

High School for local coachesClub just easier access and majority of the time is an

overall higher level

College Showcases Team profiles

ODPCamps (summer, winter, identification)

Visits, E-mails, Phone CallsRecruiting Services

What to Send to Coaches• 1 page profile sheet usually sufficient

– High school name & phone number– Your cumulative GPA & class rank– Desired major (if you have one)– ACT/SAT scores– Your NAIA/NCAA Eligibility Number– Any honors or AP classes you have taken– Contact Information – email address, home

mailing address, home phone, cell phone

What to Send to Coaches (cont)• Contact Information –

– Your email address & home mailing address– Your home phone & cell phone– Your parents’ names & phone numbers– Your high school/club/ODP coaches names, phone

numbers & email addresses– Your school contact information, including mailing

address & phone number– Your guidance counselor name & contact info

What to Send to Coaches (cont)• Positions you play• Your physical characteristics – height &

weight, 40-yd dash time w/ & w/o ball, mile time, vertical jump, long jump

• Relevant stats for offensive players & GKs• Videos – include a link to highlight film

– Most effective if coach hasn’t seen you play– Not necessary, unless coach asks for them

• Schedules – be sure to include jersey number, colors, field location, opponent

Coach Smith,

Hello, my name is Jane Doe and I play for the U17 Mockingbird Valley Soccer Club team. My graduation year is 2013. My jersey number is 17 and I play either outside back or outside midfield. I am interested in your school and soccer program and would like for you to come to one of my games if you are going to be attending either of these tournaments. My team will be wearing white or green. I am going to be in Raleigh, NC for the showcase, Friday November 30 - Sunday December 2. My game times are as follows:

Friday 11/30/07 - 11:50am vs. Internationals,  Field #2 Saturday 12/1/07 - 1:40pm vs. Dynamo, Field #5Sunday 12/2/07 - 9:20am vs. CASL, Field #2

Additional Information • School Applications – some are more complex

than others! Don’t procrastinate…..

• Meet deadlines – there are others waiting for your spot and your scholarship money!

• Early applications are best – especially for scholarship purposes

• Reference Letters from High School Counselors – give them time to get them done and follow up. Don’t wait until after high school graduation!

Role of the Parent vs. Player

• Coaches like to communicate with the player rather than the parent

• Player should be the one contacting the coach, arranging visits, etc…

• On a visit, important the player talks to the coach and not just the parent; should come with a list of questions

Scholarships

Fair Question to a coach: “Do you see me as a scholarship player?”

Majority of soccer players are not on an athletic “full-ride”

Athletic Scholarship is a year by year agreement, not a four year agreement

Most scholarships are increased before decreased

Important Things to Know• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student

Aid) – Should be completed right after Jan 1st of senior year. Most schools require FAFSA to be considered for any scholarship – including academic.

Important Things to Know• NCAA Eligibility Center (Formerly known

as the Clearinghouse) – register to confirm eligibility in junior year if playing D1 or D2. Cost is $60

• NAIA Eligibility Center (New in 2011) – register to confirm eligibility at end of junior year if playing NAIA. Can also complete a student-athlete profile. Cost to register is $65

Resources on Soccer605 (continued)

Resources through Soccer605

Resources on Soccer605 (continued)

Resources on Soccer605 (continued)

Resources on Soccer605 (continued)

Resources on Soccer605 (continued)

Resources on Soccer605 (continued)