Information Session for College-Bound Student-Athletes

Rick Meana, Director of Coaching, New Jersey Youth Soccer

Dan  Donigan,  Head  Men’s  Soccer  Coach    Rutgers, The State University of New

Jersey Pat  Snyder,  Head  Men’s  Soccer  Coach  

NJ City University

Patrick Snyder

Entering his 3rd season Head Coach NJ City University

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Dan Donigan

4th Season Head Coach  Men’s  Soccer Rutgers The State University of New Jersey

US Soccer National Staff

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Rick Meana, NJYS Director of Coaching

Former  Head  Coach  Men’s  Soccer Delaware Technical Community College, Stanton, DE

Former  Head  Coach  Women’s  Soccer  and  Assistant  Men’s  Soccer Coach Goucher College, Towson, MD

Former  Head  Coach  Men’s  Soccer and Co Coach Women’s  Soccer  Springfield  Technical Community College, Mass.

Former  JV  Men’s  Soccer  Coach Springfield College, Mass

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The Reality

Academic Aid

Scholarships?

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ODP

Based upon our experience, unless the player is an absolute soccer standout, competing at the ODP level, the amount by which you are recruited is not based solely on your ability as a player but rather your ability to market yourself effectively to a pool of colleges that realistically fit your academic and soccer potential.

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There are 994 men's and 1,183 women's college soccer programs in the United States. Division I (M) 198 (W) 310

Division II 179 225

Division III 400 425

NAIA 217 223

Total 994 1,183

*Information compiled from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (the "NSCAA") and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (the "NAIA") websites.

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Approximately 60,562 players are currently participating in college soccer. Due to the application of Title IX, women's soccer is one of the fastest growing intercollegiate sports.

Division I (M) 5,148 (W) 8,060

Division II 4,654 5,850

Division III 10,400 11,050

NAIA 7,595 7,805

Total 27,797 32,765 *Figures based upon all National Collegiate Athletic Association (the "NCAA") teams fielding maximum allowable roster of 26 players and NAIA teams fielding a 35 player roster.

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College Scholarships: Maximum Number of ATHLETIC Scholarships Per Affiliation Division

Division I (M) 9.9 (W) 14

Division II 9 9.9

Division III 0 0

NAIA 12 12

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2 Major Thoughts:

There is a place for you!

Different levels of play.

Different levels of commitment.

We  PLAY  soccer,  we  don’t  “work”  soccer.

Maintain a good perspective of the game

There will be highs and lows (keep an even keel).

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Different Levels

Div. 1 (highest level, scholarships, time demands, rules)

Div. 2 (high level, scholarships, lesser demands, rules)

Div. 3 (good level, no scholarships, lesser demands, rules)

NAIA (good level, scholarships, lesser demands, rules)

Club (lesser level, no scholarship, few demands, few rules)

Intramurals (low level, no scholarship, few demands/rules)

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What You Need to Know

NCAA Rules

A. Eligibility

B. Contact with College Coaches

C. Visits

What Should You Be Doing?

How to Decide on a College

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NCAA Rules and Eligibility

NCAA Website: NCAA Eligibility Guide

Go to: NCAA.org

Academics & Athletics

Eligibility & Recruiting

(info. For College Bound Student-Athletes)

NCAA Eligibility Center (register on-line)

Register for Eligibility Center any time

*send transcript

*send test scores

*upon graduation, send final transcript

*Must also answer Amateurism questions

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Division I

16 core courses

4 years English

3 years mathematics (Algebra 1 or higher)

2 years of natural/physical science (1 must be lab if offered)

1 years of additional English, math or science

2 years of social studies

4 years of additional core courses (areas above or foreign language, non-doctrinal religion or philosophy)

2.0 GPA or better in core courses

SAT of 820 (math & verbal) or ACT sum score of 68

**sliding scale (i.e. 820 & 2.5 or 2.0 & 1010)

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Division II

New for class of 2013

(students planning to enroll on or after Aug. 1, 2013)

16 core courses

3 years English

2 years mathematics (Algebra 1 or higher)

2 years of natural/physical science (1 must be lab)

3 years of additional English, math or science

2 years of social studies

4 years of additional core courses (areas above or foreign language, non-doctrinal religion or philosophy)

2.0 GPA or better in core courses

SAT of 820 (math & verbal) or ACT sum score of 68

**no sliding scale for Div. II

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Division III

Contact the institution regarding its academic and amateurism policies

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NAIA

NAIA.org

Must meet 2 of 3 criteria:

860 SAT (reading and math in a single sitting) / 18 on Enhanced ACT

2.0 GPA

Graduate  in  upper  half  of  student’s  high  school  graduating class

**check with individual colleges

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NCAA Div. 1 Rules Contact with Coaches

Contact By Coaches

1. Questionnaire/Camp brochure: anytime

2. By Letter/email: Sept. 1 of Junior year

3. By Phone/text: July 1 of Senior year – 1 per week

4. In Person: July 1 of Senior year – subject to contacts/evaluation limits

5. Letter of Intent: February of Senior Year

**official scholarship commitment

**How  do  players  have  “Commitments”  before  those   dates? (verbal vs. Letter of Intent)

--player initiative, club or HS coaches

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NCAA Div. 1 Rules Contact with Coaches

Contact By Prospective Student-Athlete:

1.  By  Phone/Text:    anytime  (they  can’t  call   or text back until July 1 before Senior Year)

2. In Person on their campus: Anytime other than dead period (February around letter of intent day) or DURING a tournament

3. By email – you can write them even though  they  can’t  reply  until  September  1   of junior year.

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NCAA Div. 1 Rules Contact with Coaches

Contact By Club or High School Coaches:

1. How familiar is your coach with the recruiting process?

2. Provide information to your coach about which schools you are interested

3. Is there a good time for the schools to watch you play and/or for you to visit.

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NCAA Div. 1 Rules Contact with Coaches

What Should You Provide to Coaches:

1. Player vs. Parent contact (positives / negatives)

2. Year of Graduation

3. Contact info (address, email, phone)

4. Convey Your Interest / potential major?

(research the school, & the team on the internet)

5. Academic Info (GPA, SAT, ACT)

6. Club/ODP/HS Team Info

7. Where can they see you play

** update a week prior to tournaments

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Visits

When to Start Visits?

1. As soon as you can

2. Local Schools

3. Take advantage when in town for tournaments

4. Walk around campus on your own, as well as with a tour

5.  Coaches’  tour  (athletics)  vs.  official  school   tour

6. small vs. big; urban/suburban/rural; majors

7. college guides / opinions (take with grain of salt)

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What Should You Be Doing?

Play at High Level

Coaches generally watch Club & ODP

On occasion local High School)

Contact Coaches

Personally & through your coach

*get them to see you play

*obtain honest opinion of interest level of coaches

Visit Colleges

If  expensive  visit…gage  interest  level  first

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How to Decide on a College

Academics

Athletics

Social

Financial

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How to Decide on a College Academics

Do you have a potential major?

-subject to change! (i.e. Sports Medicine)

Is there enough variety if you change?

How Strong a Student Are You

What are the average GPAs and test scores for incoming undergraduate students

Is it a good match

Internship possibilities?

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How to Decide on a College: Athletics

What is the Importance to You of:

1. Top 20 Program

2. Prestige of Conference

3. Playing time

4. Demands on Your Time

6 days/week in season

5 days/week off season

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How to Decide on a College: Social

Would you be happy at this College if soccer was not in the picture?

1. Distance from Home

2. Big vs. Small

3. Urban vs. Suburban vs. Rural

4. School spirit / football games / culture

5. Preppy vs. Laid-back

6. Social relationships?

7. Roommate situation (team vs. non-team)

8. Other

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How to Decide on a College: Financial

How important is athletic scholarship

(money / pride / standing on team)

Academic scholarships

Need-based Aid

Work-study

In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Private vs. Public

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A Final Note

Have  fun    …  soccer  is  a  game

Develop relationships

Develop / Demonstrate:

1. Perseverance

2. Teamwork

3. Responsibility

4. Accountability

5. Commitment

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Good Luck!

Rick Meana, Director of Coaching Telephone Number, 609.371.2673 Email, meanaclan@aol.com