Volume 1 | November 2018
OGFC College Recruiting Newsletter
Parents and Players,
 
In order to help players with the college recruiting and college selection process, we will be sending a series of newsletters this season with information geared to helping players find a good college fit. While the newsletters are geared toward players interested in playing soccer in college, the information also relates to the general college selection process.
 
Pat Ferguson is our editor for this series of college recruiting newsletters. Pat is currently our girls director of player development and the women's soccer coach at Wright State University.

NCAA National Letter of Intent/Signing date is November 14 th
beginning at 7 AM

5 Questions to ask to create a manageable pool of potential schools
Once you’ve developed a pool of schools…
Geography: How far away do I want to go, or how close to home do I want to stay?

Size: Do I want a campus of 30,000 or a classroom of 30 students?

Academics: Am I 100% set on the major I wish to pursue, or should I choose a school with a broad range of majors in case I’m unsure?

Social Setting:  Do I want a highly rigorous academic atmosphere, a faith based campus, one with a “lively weekend scene,” etc.?

Athletic Experience: What do I want my role to be within the soccer program? Do I want to be the best player on the team the day I step on campus? Am I satisfied by being able to wear the jersey – knowing I will probably never play? Or do I want something in between?

If you ask yourself these 5 questions, you should be able to come up with a manageable number of schools to pursue.
Create an academic and soccer resume: Follow many of the same principles one would follow in crafting a business resume. Include class rank, GPA, standardized test scores and activities a coach may find important or telling – such as National Honor Society or leadership activities. Per soccer, include club team, schedule, position, and some accolades. Nobody cares if you were the MVP of your 10 year old Pink Bumblebee team however. Also include contacts, such as club coach and/or high school coach with email/phone number.

Market yourself: Like it or not this is a business. You need to consistently market yourself. This means contacting prospective programs/coaches and letting them know of your interest. Ask your club or high school coach to reach out to those programs. Provide them information as to your schedule and any plans you may have to visit the campus. You don’t have to be a stalker – but be consistent in your communication. And make sure THE PLAYER is the one reaching out to the coaching staff. Do not send an email to a college coach saying “ My daughter is interested in your program”. I assure everyone that a 16 year old knows how to use email. The only impression left when a parent sends the email is the coach thinking they will have to deal with an overly involved parent for 4 years if they join their program.
Thought for the Week: Market Yourself
Did you know?
“One who is interested in developing and enhancing intrinsic motivation in children, employees, students etc., should not concentrate on external-control systems such as monetary rewards”
– Edward Deci
“ Of all the soccer stars I’ve known, their dreams of stardom were their own ”