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Each year, hundreds of soccer players throughout Illinois dream of playing college soccer.
Some get the opportunity and enjoy it, while others quit after their first year. Some of those players will even be apart of the 1 percent of high school athletes in the U.S. to receive full Division I scholarships and still quit.
Yes, you read that right – 1 PERCENT.
I want to do a study on the number of soccer players from the area that have gone on to play college soccer. I think the number of players that quit or transferred after their first season would be staggering.
It makes you wonder if these players aren’t going to a certain college or university for the right thing or if they are being fed a line of bull by some college coaches?
Let's remember, we live in a society where kids and parents want to say they are going to a major college to play a major sport. That's why I always sort of chuckle when I run into former high school stars, and they talk about their college experience.
“Man, it’s like a job.”
“I go to class and soccer and that’s it.”
“I used to like soccer, and now it’s just not fun.”
Now granted, there are certain situations that just don’t work out. It happens. And there are countless players that have loved their experience and wish it never ended.
But with each passing year, the number of former star players quitting or transferring from colleges and universities continues to rise.
And there is a reason why.
Reality.
Sometimes it isn’t as pretty as the picture painted to them when they were in high school.
- Joe Trost
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You make a valid point, however I wouldn't put all the blame on the college coach. When I talk to my players about playing at the next level I make sure they understand that they have two things to worry about; school work and soccer. And if they are not prepared for that or not expecting it, then it comes crashing down on them. And yes there are some over the top college coaches that take things to the extreme. And if the players are working that hard, and then don't get any playing time, well, what's the point.
Another reason is simply burn out. As I've mentioned before, with the amount of time already spent in the sport before they get to college, it's no wonder they get sick of it.
A third reason is the parents. How many kids are playing the game to get a scholarship because that's what the parents want. The parents have pushed and pushed kids towards this moment for years. The discussions begin at the early age of 6 or 7 and it continues for the next 10 years. I've seen it over and over. Once away from the parents pressure, they may come to realize they were playing for the wrong reasons.
So I'm with you Joe, I'd love to see the study and see the results with some honest answers from the players.
Coach K
Bottom line, you have to play because you love it. You can't play because your parents what to be able to tell their friends their son/daughter plays soccer for ____ D1 school; you can't play because now you can tell your former club/high school teammates you are playing at _____ D1 school; you can't play just so maybe your books and 1/3 of tuition gets paid for. You have to play because you have a REAL desire and love for the sport. A lot of kids finally make it to a D1 program and the goal has been reached - they say they did it, then quit because of the time committment. And let's face it, you are only in college for those 4 special years of your life. Do you really want those 4 years to be mainly memories of school work and practice/playing soccer for 85% of your time there? Oh, and then there's that lucrative MLS contract to shoot for! Right. I don't fault/blame the kids who decide not to play. And I respect the kids who do decide to play. But coaches and parents really need to have a serious talk with their players or kids, and tell them in realistic terms what to expect.