Playing Soccer in College?

Get a Head Start!

Tip #1—Location, Location, Location…
Wondering if you have what it takes to play soccer at the next
level but don’t know how the application and recruitment process
works? Inner Collegiate athletics can be a life-altering experience
and it is important to start the athletic application process early.
Think you’re too young to begin your college search? Wrong. It is
never too early to consider your future options.

Are you a high school sophomore or junior? Then now is the perfect
time to spark your interest in college athletics and get collegiate
programs interested in you as well. Tip #1 is for those of you reading
who fi nd yourself at this point in their athletic career as well as for
parents who are wondering how to help fi nd the perfect athletic/
academic fi t for their child.

College Tip #1 is finding the best location and environment in
which the athlete can excel both on and off the fi eld.
It is important to recognize that for most, playing at the collegiate
level is the pinnacle point in an athlete’s career. Therefore, it is
necessary to spend the four-year eligibility in a location where
you are comfortable in your surroundings. How important are
these to you? Can you live with or without separation from friends
and family, expensive plane rides, no Spam musubi, snow and
the change of seasons. Or, on the fl ip side, are you interested in
experiencing new and different cultures, interesting people, snow
and cold weather and new food and clothing?

Research is just a click away. Go online or pick up a resource book
on colleges and look for the unique features of the university
experience that are important to you. You might look at the student
population, the existence of an on-campus life, academic majors
in your area of academic interest and if it’s known as a commuter
school or if activities revolve around the school. Pick states you
would be interested in living and explore what kind of school you
would like to play at; examine the level of play: NCAA division I, II, III
or smaller associations like NAIA or NCIA. The most important part
of the journey is recognizing that if for some reason your college
athletic career ends abruptly, you will still be happy at the college
you have chosen, even without soccer.

Take it from someone who is quite familiar with the process; I know
what it is like to put in the leg work to get noticed, to be recruited,
to smell the pristine aroma of cut grass of an NCAA division 1
playing fi eld, and unfortunately, walk away from it all. Deciding on
preliminary colleges which fi t your needs on more levels than just
athletics is essential to succeeding on and off the fi eld. Soccer is
something a person can do forever. College and inner collegiate
athletics are things that can only be completed once in a lifetime;
so, chose wisely!

Check out Hawaii Soccer Magazine for upcoming tips on the
college athletic experience such as: how to make initial contact
with schools of your choice; how to write a player's profile and
player's resume; what should be included in a highlight tape and
much more. Until next time, I wish you luck and happy hunting.