Playing College Soccer in California

1. Playing College Soccer in California There are over 50 colleges in California with soccer programs looking for freshman to join their teams. This guide is designed to help get you started. The top ten lists are based on the experiences of a nationally ranked U18 team whose players were recruited to play at DI , D II, and D III schools. They got looked at by coaches because they took the initiative and asked to be looked it. This is a time in an athlete’s career when their play alone doesn’t speak for itself. They must market themselves. While that may sound uncomfortable, or even unsporting, that is the way the game is played. Good Luck. Ten Things You Should Know About College Soccer Recruiting • Recruiting starts before junior year and generally ends before senior year (D I) and during fall semester (D II and D III). • Nothing is binding until a D I or D II player signs a Letter of Intent (February) or a D III player accepts admission. • Scholarships per team: D I (m) 9.9, (w) 12; D II (m) 9, (w) 9.9. Generally, players are on partial scholarships not full rides. • DIII Schools do not have athletic scholarships only academic scholarships. This is where grades really count. • Coaches want players who will be admitted and can handle the classes and graduate. • Do not disrespect your club or high school coach . One phone call from them can make or break you. • You will know players who will get recruited and play at D I schools who are not as good as you are on the field, but do a better job of marketing themselves. • Pick the school, not the coach. Coaches change jobs. • Money. Parents must honestly tell their player how much they can afford for college before the process starts. • Play each game as if it were a tryout. You never know who is watching. Ten Steps To Getting Recruited • Make a sports resume. • Make 2 videos: a) 1 minute of highlights, b) 20 minute game film against a tough team showing you playing with the ball and moving off the ball. Post the videos online. • Register and check out your eligibility at the NCAA recruiting website. http://www.eligibilitycenter.org • Identify schools you want to attend. • Go to the websites of all the schools that interest you and fill out the recruited athlete form. • Send coaches a 4 line email saying why you want to play for them; your GPA, PSAT, SAT or ACT; where you play now and position; the name and email of your current coach. Attach the sports resume and video links. • Sign up for the coaches’ summer soccer camps. • Send the coaches an email saying you will be attending their camp and are looking forward to meeting them. Update any information since last email. e.g. “We won state cup.” • Get to a tournament where coaches scout. If your team isn’t good enough to attend a college showcase tournament, see if a better team will take you as a guest player. • Go visit the coaches in the spring or summer before junior and senior years. Parents should be seen and not heard. Your goal is to get invited for an in-season visit and get listed high on the coaches priority players list. Once the coach shows interest, ask him where you are on the list.

2. DI, DII, and DIII California Colleges with Soccer Programs Where school do not report a statistic, the boxes are left empty For additional information contact John Raftrey at jraftrey@gmail.com