Fifty DC Stoddert Soccer parents and players gathered in the Jelleff Clubhouse on Thursday, April 29 for the 2010 Annual College Seminar Hearing first-hand from area college soccer coaches on the recruitment and admissions process, the audience warmed to the coaches’ remarks with extensive questioning.
The panel, a veritable who’s who among local coaches, represented a variety of athletic programs and schools. They included moderator Keith Tabatznik, former Coach at Georgetown University; Todd West, Men’s Coach at American University (D1), Khary Stockton, Men’s Coach at the University of the District of Columbia (D2), Travis Beauchamp, Men’s Coach at Catholic University of America (D3), and Tonya Vogel, Women’s Coach at George Washington University (D1). All of our area coaches were former players with extensive coaching experience at the club, professional, and collegiate levels.
Their remarks were reinforced with the personal stories of D.C. United players Jordan Graye (left), former University of North Carolina defender, and Andrew Quinn, former Notre Dame goalie. Both Graye and Quinn had their early soccer experiences with DC Stoddert Soccer. Graye played on the Leopards, a Div. 3 travel team coached by Thom Heath.
The Panel’s Opening Remarks
Put academics ahead of soccer when choosing a college
Tabatznik opened the Seminar with a player’s list of priorities when thinking about colleges: (1) the school’s academics, (2) the school environment, (3) extra-curricular activities including the soccer program, and (4) finances.
Tabatznik told the players to “be proactive” in their search for “the right school.” Tabatznik also emphasized GPAs, SATs,
Essays, honors courses, and having a varied academic background. “Academics first,” he said, “then soccer.”
Scholarships. West (right, in red jersey) said that each D1 school has 9.9 full-ride scholarships available, but most schools divide them among the players, indicating that at American University, only three players are on full scholarships. “We look at two major criteria,” said West, “whether the player has good grades and would he help us to win.” By good grades, West referred to SATs of 1,400 and GPAs of 4.0. West also talked about “having good relations with the coach” as an important criterion. In addition, said West, “coaches are restricted in returning your phone calls, so understand that.”
Stockton talked about UDC, a D2 school, with 9.0 full scholarships--“I look for international students, “ he said, “as they can contribute immediately to our soccer program.” Stockton is looking more and more to local talent, as the lack of dormitory space limits his recruiting outside the city. He watches local high school games and attends local tournaments.
Coaches corner: AU's West, center, with Georgtown's Tabatzik (blue jersey) and UDC's Stockton (in white) field post-talk questions.
Know the NCAA rules. Vogel advised the parents and players to go the NCAA’s Guide for the College-bound Student Athlete. She advised both parents and players to understand the NCAA restrictions on active recruiting of athletes as “I can’t call you back.” Vogel referred to college soccer programs across the country: 331 Men’s D1, 315 Women’s D1, 291 Men’s D2, 429 Men’s D3. She advised: “Figure out where soccer fits into your college aspirations,” going on to suggest that some players might want to join college “club teams” or play “intramural.” “Remember,” Vogel said, “There’s more to college than just soccer.”
Beauchamp, representing the only D3 school at the Seminar, talked about “the many soccer opportunities at D3 schools, which also do recruiting.” The D3 schools do not offer soccer scholarships, but do have financial aid packages worth looking into. As he pointed out, ”There’s always somebody watching you so always be on your best behavior on the soccer field.”
All panelists suggested looking at various forms of financial aid, including the District of Columbia’s Tuition Assistance Grant program, which gives residents up to $10,000 a year toward covering the difference between in- and out-of-state tuition at any public college, the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, Pell Grants, and “Work-Study Programs.”
Comments from the D.C. United Players Graye, who played his first professional game on Wednesday night against FC Dallas, graduated from DeMatha High School in 2005. He said his father always emphasized “good grades.” Graye played ODP had strong SATs. He said he restricted his college visits to “local colleges within five hours drive so my parents could see my games.” He eventually settled on the University of North Carolina where he was a starting defender, reaching the Semi-Finals of the 2009 Soccer Bowl.
Quinn, a goalkeeper, also attended DeMatha and graduated in 2005, but didn’t play ODP: “I wasn’t a big college recruit,” he admitted. He did have good grades, however. After attending a Notre Dame summer camp, where witnessed by numerous college coaches, the Notre Dame coach asked him to attend his school. He was a starter in his last two seasons at Notre Dame. “At Notre Dame,” said Quinn, “they are also interested in your character, what type of person you are, are you fun to be around?”
Old school ties: Quinn (left, rear) and Graye with DC Stoddert travel players.
Key Messages:
- There is a school with a soccer team for everyone but do your homework and be realistic.
- Coaches look at Regional and ODP players, top travel players, and others brought to their attention through
- Tournaments, league games, and camps.
- E-mail coaches regularly to let them know you are interested, and tell them your schedule. Forward links to your You-Tube clips but be careful with your sound bites!
- Start looking in your sophomore year and register with the NCAA Clearinghouse. Women’s teams make recruit decisions further ahead than men’s teams.
- Visit the campuses
- Relate to the coach
- Relate to the players
- Check out the Dorms/Meal Facilities
- Talk to Alumni
- Know the “campus environment”
- Understand “campus life,”
- Check the college’s “retention rate” - high percentages of freshman not returning for sophomore year is a red flag
- Number of players on the roster. Some teams have as many as 50 players.
- Watch games/practices to see if they “fit into the system”
- Ask the coach: “Where do you see me fitting in over the next few years?”
- “Don’t overlook the military academies,” one Panelist advised.
- If producing a video, ask the coach what he or she wants—whole game, highlights, half a game?
- When writing or calling, know the coach’s name.
“Try Everything”
The coaches emphasized that “you should try everything, as there is obviously no one way into the door.” Ask yourself two key questions: (1) “Could I get into this University/College?” and (2) “If the school is a good fit, can I play at this level?” Start the process in the player’s sophomore year; be persistent; visit the school’s summer soccer camps and send E-mails. NCAA rules prevent coaches from initiating contact until July 1 before a potential recruit’s senior year.
For Additional Information:
posted by MCL 5/3/2010. Updated 7/9/2010. Photos by Mary Lord.
