<p>I'm a student in the top 5% of my class as well as a soccer player in the North Texas Region. I have already applied to UT and am awaiting my acceptance on October 15. Despite my love of UT as well as academics, I love to play soccer more than anything else. I have been contacted by St. Mary's University to possibly play D2 for them, but I'm not sure how they compare with UT's club team which is not NCAA (hence club).</p>
<p>Any suggestions on what I should do? UT is a better college by far and I really love the campus and the academic programs, but I still can't help thinking about playing playing at a perhaps better college soccer team.</p>
<p>Do you have a guaranteed position on the UT club team? How does this work? A family friend recently was very very surprised not to be selected for the club soccer team at another very large college. I just wanted to be sure you can count on the club team.</p>
<p>no, that’s what I’m saying. I know that you have to try out for the team, so I’m not guaranteed a spot by any means, but there is really no information out there as to the prestige of the program and whether the benefits outweigh the risk</p>
<p>"The National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association is very similar to the NCAA, NAIA, and NSCAA. NIRSA is the governing body for collegiate club sports. For soccer, the NIRSA currently has two major tournaments. In california, the Aztec Cup is held every year and many collegiate club teams make the trip to San Diego, CA. The National Cup is held every in a different location. This year the National Cup will be held in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.</p>
<p>College Club soccer is often looked over because of NCAA teams that are in the spotlight in the soccer world. However, most of the players on club soccer teams could have played NCAA soccer. Teams that are in the Elite 8 have players that can be Division 1 starters. For whatever reason, maybe money or education, players choose to attend a college that do not have NCAA, NAIA, or NSCAA teams. Whatever this reason maybe, College Club Soccer deserves to be looked at a little bit more. Finally, without college club soccer, the likes of Shalrie Joseph and Justin Braun might not be known or heard of."</p>
<p>Ditto the information that shrinkrap posted. Club teams really do get overlooked and they are often just as good as the NCAA teams that get the majority of the attention.</p>
<p>My personal opinion on the matter? As a soccer player myself (although not currently) I wrestled with similar decisions when I was younger. Ultimately I didn’t go on to college right after high school so it ended up being moot, but something my coach told me my junior year really sunk in: “Pick the school that will give you the best education for your future career and goals, because honestly, are you going to play soccer forever?” Of course there was a lot more to our discussion, but his point was that unless you plan to play professionally, a prestigious program and great team really aren’t that important. It was tough for me to accept that at first, because I had hoped to play for a good school with a great team, for the prestige, the experience, the training, etc. But if it meant sacrificing my education and possibly my career goals? Yeah no, I ultimately decided I would get my education first, play soccer second, and enjoy every moment on whatever team I ended up for what it was: a sport I loved at a school I loved that was preparing me for a career I loved even more.</p>
<p>But even if going pro is an ultimate goal, if you’re good enough, you don’t need an NCAA team to launch you there (Braun is a perfect example of that), although I’m sure it doesn’t hurt. I think you can make the best of whichever situation you choose - either pick the NCAA team and make the best of the academic environment, or pick the school with better academics and make the best out of the club team.</p>
<p>Oops! I resurrected it because it popped up as a thread “similar” to one I was reading… so… what did you do? How is it going? I would like my son to take the club option seriously.</p>
<p>Shrinkrap, I don’t know how the soccer team is run, but my son plays lacrosse for UT (MCLA) and it has been great! They are run like a varsity sport, with full time coaches and trainers (my son separated his shoulder, and I was surprised to find that the UT athletics dept payed for all his medical stuff!), the are provided equipment (excluding pads and sticks), they travel (play in a local division of TX, LA, and OK and go on some out of state trips to play top ranked teams for preparation for the national tournament), practice all fall for a spring schedule, etc. I think the dues have run around $1600 a year, but that covers everything, and I think we get more than that in equipment, not to mention travel costs every year!</p>
<p>It is a time committment, but totally worth it if your son really wants to play. It has been a great opportunity for my son, he has made wonderful friends on the team, and it has added to his college experience. I also think it helps him academically because he really has to schedule his time efficiently. </p>
<p>The one drawback has been that even though he is excused from classes and tests when they have a trip (tests are either proctored by the coaches while on the trip, or taken in professor’s offices before or after the trip- both of which can be stressful), professors don’t really look kindly on the missed classes, and in some cases, will count off for missed classes even though they are supposed to be “excused”. </p>
<p>Last year, when they qualified for the national championship tournament, 1/2 the team was having to take tests because the tournament was scheduled right during UT finals!! Try studying and staying focused on tests when you are staying in hotels with the team and taking the exams in meeting rooms!!</p>
<p>But, your son should definitely check it out. (btw, I noticed that 3 of the new freshman on the lacrosse team this year are from CA, 2 from San Diego and 1 from Danville - UT must be getting more popular in CA these days!!)</p>
<p>That was great! Thanks! Was he thinking varsity during his college search? Did your son know much about the club team going in, or did he just get lucky? </p>
<p>“UT must be getting more popular in CA these days!!”</p>
<p>I think getting out of California is getting more popular these days!</p>
<p>He was actually thinking of playing D3 football. He played both sports in hs, and really loved football more (at the time). He went on some recruiting visits to schools like W&L, Rhodes, Trinity, etc, but was a bit underwhelmed by the lack of “hooplah” surrounding the games he attended. Coming from a 5A Texas highschool football background, complete with packed stands, bands and drill teams, etc., the lack of that made him feel like it was a letdown. So, instead he decided to go to Texas for the “big school” experience. It was his hs lacrosse coach who encouraged him to try out for the lacrosse team, and it worked out to be a great thing! </p>
<p>So, in a way, I guess he was just lucky!! He hadn’t looked into it or anything, and really had no idea of the commitment or level of play, he just knew he enjoyed being on a team and competing, and this was his outlet. He certainly wasn’t going to make the Texas football team :eek: LOL!!</p>