College Prep Program College Bound Student Athletes Guide Director of Coaching: Ray Selvadurai Theo Miller, Yale, MSC National Champion Jack Harrison, Wake Forest, MSC National Champion, HS All-American Gatorade National Boys Player of Year Idrissa Bangura, Boston College Amara Sesay, Wheaton College MSC National Champion. MSC National Champion, HS All-American Evelyn Nicinski, Bucknell University, Regional All-American, Polish National Team, Pro, Hertha Berlin Amaris Hemmings, Columbia University MSC River Plate, NYC HS Star Riverdale Country School Kalijah Terrilli, UPENN Regional All-American, First Team All-Ivy League, United States U23 National Team Camp. MSC USYSA Region 1 Semifinalist and State Champion. TABLE OF CONTENTS • INTRODUCTION LETTER • LET”S GET STARTED • THE HIGH SCHOOL YEARS: STRATEGIZE AND PLAN • CHECKLIST: HELPFUL TOOL TO ORGANIZE THE PROCESS • THE NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE OR ELIGIBILITY CENTER • DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DIVISION I, II, III COLLEGE SOCCER TEAMS • NCAA SUMMARY OF RECRUITING RULES FOR COLLEGE SOCCER • QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF THROUGH THE PROCESS • GREAT SUPPLMENTAL INFORMATION: USYSA COLLEGE BOUNDRESOURCES • COLLEGE SOCCER RECRUITING SERVICES • MSC COLLEGE PREP PROGRAM Catherine Nathans Jethro Dede West Connecticut State University St. Lawrence University Three-time All-American MSC National Champion, HS All-American Introduction Letter: Over the last decade, Manhattan Soccer Club has produced and placed numerous college soccer players at some of the most prestigious academic institutions in the country. Many have gone on to achieve major success as four-year players, team captains, All-Americans and NCAA National Champions. The process has been very easy for some players to be placed at the college soccer program of their choice. However, for the majority of our players, much work was put into the recruiting process by our club, families and the player themselves. As the coaching leader of MSC, it was an important endeavor to create this guide for our players for this process. While this guide can provide assistance, it is the PLAYER that must take the necessary steps to make sure the work associated with the process gets done. As Director of Coaching, I am here to help through our College Prep Program. In addition, the successful outcome of this process also depends upon the realistic evaluations of your academic and athletic abilities. Please use the information provided here to help you further your pursuit of the ideal college soccer program. I am available to begin discussions on the college recruiting process. Reach out! Sincerely, Ray Selvadurai Director of Coaching CONSIDER THIS: WWW.NCAA.ORG There are 10,000,000 participants in high school athletics in America. 2% of these participants are contacted by a college coach. 3.5% of these participants actually participate in college sports (D‐I, II, or III). Less than half of 1% of athletes receives some form of aid. Most high schools never have a full scholarship (D-1) Max Fikke- Amherst College Chelsea Davies- Williams College All-American All-American LET’S GET STARTED: Each year thousands of student athletes market themselves to college coaches. Some are very successful, some are not. It's not a difficult process if you have a road map and the basic resources to give our student-athletes the best possible advantage. The key to success is to start with a realistic plan. Working the plan as a combined Parent/ Student/Club entity by spending a consistent time and energy in the process could potentially lead to our players becoming “recruited” college soccer players. MSC College Prep Program Question #1: Am I good enough to play college soccer? Let's be realistic. It is not easy to play college soccer. You should be aware that most student- athletes cannot and will not play Division 1 sports. There are too many athletes and only so many Division 1 schools. However, the majority of colleges or universities that are not Division 1 schools have very competitive sports programs. Student athletes MUST meet some important conditions to get to the next level. You may be a “star” athlete at your high school or club, but you will need to know how you match up with other star athletes around the country. First step: You will need to identify your realistic academic and athletic abilities and what division level student-athlete to target the right schools. Ask all of your coaches and others you know that will be honest and candid with you. The Director of Coaching and MSC College Prep Program can help you in this assessment. You may find that the truth hurts, or perhaps you’ll be surprised to find that you have underestimated your abilities. You may waste your time if you focus your efforts on colleges with the wrong athletic division and academic requirements. You want to make sure you are targeting the right academic schools in the right athletic talent division. Through my experience, to compete at the college level, coaches are looking for a student-athlete who: 1. Possesses the applicable soccer specific tools to be an impact player at their school. 2. Possess character, mental toughness and respect for family and teammates. MSC’s goal is to help ingrain this in our players for coaches to take notice! MSC College Prep Program Question #2: What do College Coaches expect? After being involved in the college recruiting process for over a decade, it is safe to say that a very small percentage of student athletes receive college opportunities, scholarships or incentive packages because the coach found the player on their own. Only the top elite athletes, the top 100 in the nation are automatically recruited without having to make an effort. The others have to take the initiative to contact the colleges and coaches where they have an interest. Most schools’ recruiting budgets are small, so coaches rely on you to contact them. Facts: 1. College coaches are very busy and many do not have the time or budget to travel around the country to see every prospect compete. Phone calls, emails, cover letters, profile- resumes, stats, video and references become key tools for the coach in the recruiting and evaluating process. You might think that it’s too self-promoting to make the initial contact with a coach and to “market” yourself. However, this is the norm. If you don’t do it, other student athletes will get the opportunity, get noticed and get recruited because they have made the effort and received the attention. 2. Coaches expect you to prepare academically. College Coaches expect that you understand that preparation academically is of primary importance to the recruiting process. This means preparing in the classroom as much as on the field. Failure to take care of your academic standing often means failure to achieve athletic goals. As an example, since Division III institutions do not offer athletic scholarships, academic performance is just as valued as athletic performance in the recruiting process. Understand this academic fact: Regardless of how talented your soccer abilities are, your grades will make the biggest difference in admissions and financial aid outcomes! Every college has academic scholarships or grant money that is awarded to student- athletes who demonstrate academic achievement. High academic achievement means you will be accepted into more colleges and have greater college choices. 3. College Coaches expect you to make the first contact with them. In most cases, if you’re not interested in their institution they will not force themselves upon you. Here are a few common sense rules of engagement college coaches would expect of you as compiled through conversations with my friends in college soccer coaching and our past experiences involving our MSC college soccer alumni: 1. Be an effective communicator. The student athlete (not the parents) should write or email the coach when appropriate. The student athlete should always call the coach back when they call you. 2. Attention to detail! Be sure to review your letters and/or e-mail messages and spell their name and their school’s name correctly J 3. Honesty is the policy. If you are interested in their program, great. Tell them. If not, say so. Don’t waste their time or yours. 4. Provide your student athlete contact information. Make sure to note when you are available. Share your cell phone number and e-mail address. 5. Complete applications and requests from coaches. Follow-up with transcripts, test scores and recommendations to the schools in which you have an interest. Get all the paperwork taken care of as early as possible. 6. Prepare your questions for college soccer coaches so when they call or when you visit you’re prepared, and have something to talk about. This shows that you are interested. 7. Do your homework. Know about the athletic program, the coach’s name, the division they’re in, their current record, any program history etc. You have to be persistent, prepared, and polite to get noticed at any division. If nothing else, every coach wants players who can enhance their program. Character is a key component of integrity. Show your character! College Prep Program Question #3: What can you expect from your Club Coach or Director of Coaching? Your club coaches and the Director of Coaching are great resources for college coaches. They are valuable and powerful references that college coaches will want to talk to about your student athlete. They are an excellent source for a positive student athlete recommendation letter or phone call. Work hard to keep your relationship with the college coach a positive one. It's your responsibility to market your talents, get your name in front of college coaches and control your own college career! Rayah Seckler Barry University MSC Region 1 Semifinalist and State Champion THE HIGH SCHOOL YEARS: STRATEGIZE AND PLAN To become eventually a “recruited” college soccer player, you must evolve from a “prospect”.