<p>My DDs are soccer players. They play on a highly competitive hs team. But the team in general is not competitive when we get out of our area and play in the class above our own. It is possible that one or both of my girls may receive all league recognition before they graduate in 09 but that has not happened to date. They are realistic about continuing on in the sport and know that playing on an IM or club team may be what works out for them in college.</p>
<p>That being said there are a couple of DIII schools on their lists with less than stellar soccer teams. There is also an NAIA school on both of their lists with a fairly strong women's soccer program and a small roster. I don't know if they are selling themselves short by not considering trying to play at the varsity level</p>
<p>I just have no idea if they should contact coaches. Historygirl1 is a defender who will likely start this season. Historygirl2 can play anywhere on the field and is used as a sub in that capacity. She may start in 08 as seniors in her strongest positions will have graduated. </p>
<p>We know nothing about red shirting or walking on or any of it. We could plan to get a DVD together of highlights from Sr year next year but I don't know. Any advice would really be appreciated!</p>
<p>These days, the norm - even at DIII schools with "less than stellar" women's soccer programs - is an expectation that an athlete has played club soccer in addition to h.s., and that she was a starter on her school team. I'm sure there are exceptions, but not too many. Feel free to PM me if you'd like to talk specifics.</p>
<p>In any case, there's no harm in talking to coaches; each of your daughters may get a better feel for whether she would, or wouldn't, like to carry the conversation further after it's begun.</p>
<p>Go to a D3 soccer match and watch the girls play (while understanding that there are wide variations in D3 programs). Your kid will likely know where she fits.</p>
<p>I have one college soccer player and one currently being recruited. The oldest plays on a competitive DIII team...advanced through the NCAA playoffs (Sweet 16). The youngest is being looked at by small DI, DII and DIII. The recruiting process started from their competitive club teams...not at all from HS soccer. Both attended various college showcase tournaments throughout the country. Have the girls send emails to the coaches and attach a player profile. Invite the coaches to attend games and watch them play. The coaches will let them know if they are interested. Some DIII programs are VERY competitive. Was fortunate enough to see Wheaton (DIII National Champs) play and I believe that team could beat many DI teams. It is a process but start by contacting the coaches.</p>
<p>And not a moment to lose. My impression from parents of soccer players is that college rosters are firmed up in the spring of Junior year. Can someone confirm this for DIII, or is this not the case? The DI and DII seniors I know had "committed" before fall of senior year.</p>
<p>It never hurts to contact college coaches to let them know your child is interested in playing in college, especially if the student is also knowledgable about and interested in the school for all the other reasons: academics, location, and so on.</p>
<p>Thanks...we are so isolated that we don't have club here. It also makes it hard to get to any collegiate games. You gave me the answer that I thought I'd get and I appreciate the input.</p>
<p>If your D's don't want to join a club team, they might consider contacting some local club coaches who need extra players for tournaments and showcases, which can lead to college coaches seeing them play. Your girls probably have friends on club teams, and could talk to them about the possibility.</p>
<p>oops - we cross posted so it sounds like this won't help. But some tournaments actually maintain guest player rosters; you sign up directly with the tournament.</p>
<p>Ok...if no club experience they could still invite the coaches to HS games. There are many small schools that will look at walk on talent. Still put together a profile and email it. Ask them to come watch if possible. If they can't get to your isolated area the coaches may invite them to attend preseason workouts and see how they compare. There are also schools that have summer prep camps so the coach can evaluate players. Don't give up if they have a passion for the game!</p>
<p>The other thing to consider is they may be done with that sport by college. That's why they are talking the way they are. Even at D3's they can work as hard (6 days, 21 hours, not counting games) at training. It's a big time commitment. </p>
<p>I'm not saying you can't or shouldn't..</p>
<p>When you visit schools, take time to visit with the coach and take a look. I have no idea of the talent your kids possess or the programs so it is hard, but please keep in mind there are alot of year round youth players ending up on d3's, it will be competitive where ever you go. </p>
<p>Should they try it? yea, why not. The worst that can happen is you get cut. However, you still met 20 girls you didn't know before at college before school even started and it's a great way to warm up to a new place.</p>
<p>It all depends on the D3 school. The best suggestion was to go watch the team and get a feel of where your D stands in relation to the competition. Don't know about soccer since mine plays basketball. Her team is very competetive with every player being either all county or all state or in the case of large cities all city. If not varsity, she can always look at playing on the club level. Either way she will have the opportunity to be part of a great support group and make new friends. If she should play varsity, she should plan on putting in some serious time every week - usually 20 - 30 hours a week.</p>
<p>You may also want to check into summer camps. Many of the D3 coaches work at camps at D1 schools and look for players who don't catch the eye of the D1 coaches. D3 schools definitely don't fill their rosters junior year. There are so many D1 girls teams ( over 300) that the level of play at many D3 schools is not very high in comparison to strong club programs ( although some are excellent). Many are closer to a decent high school team. D3 schools are also often interested in seeing a video.(A whole game, not just highlights)</p>
<p>cad, I don't know how much D3 women's soccer you've seen - perhaps it's a lot, but in a different part of the country? I can assure you that whatever you have seen, there are plenty of D3 women's soccer teams that play significantly above the very best h.s. soccer, and well above the most competitive clubs. NESCAC teams and most Centennial teams come to mind, but there are plenty of others. And indeed some coaches <em>have</em> filled their rosters by this time junior year, in that they know who they would like to have playing for them. </p>
<p>Probably the most important thing to know about D3 is that there <em>is</em> a lot of variation, though - there certainly are schools who play at the level of really good h.s., and there certainly are coaches whose rosters are wide open. It isn't necessarily the norm, though.</p>
<p>I'll repeat what I said (and what several others have, too): It's worth talking to any coach at any school either of your daughters is interested in. Go online and look at their schedules (who they play inside and outside their league) and records; look at their leagues. Click their websites' links to "D3kicks.com" and see where they stand regionally and nationally. Look at their rosters and see who they already have in terms of positions. And then if it's all still looking within reach, and the girls are still interested, talk to the coaches.</p>
<p>I second the camp suggestion - the D3 coaches are definitely there, looking not only for kids who don't catch the D1 coaches' attention, but also who are premium players NOT interested in D1 schools.</p>
<p>The NYT ran a series on DIII athletic recruiting last year. It provides an excellent overview of the process, with lots quotes reflecting the coach's perspective. The series profiled Haverford College in some depth (I think the reporter had some connection to Haverford) but also talking about other DIII schools.</p>
<p>DIII schools vary remarkably in terms of athetics. My D wanted her sport to be part of her collegiate experience. She selected schools to apply to based, in part, on (1) whether she thought she would make the team and (2) whether she liked the coach. (It was kind of an odd selection process because she is an excellent student, but not an exceptional athlete.) She ended up at a fine LAC where sports are encouraged and supported. She did not applyto LACs that rank in the top nationally in her sport (such as Williams), however, because she wanted to make the team and feel like a contributing member.</p>
<p>I hope this isn't too off-topic, but I'd love to hear recommendations of soccer camps for a girl who might want to play at a DIII school. Also, to play NESCAC or similar, would it be best to go after 10th or 11th grade? This is for a fairly high level club player whose high school teammates have gone to some good schools and even some good soccer schools, e.g. Williams, Colgate, Princeton, Pomona.</p>
<p>Just got back from a showcase tourney in Omaha and another in Florida. Many coaches are still offering to look at juniors at summer camps. The big schools were already scoping out the younger girls as several juniors have already commited. It gets earlier every year...and that's why there seems to be an increase in players who pull back their verbals. As far as camps...check out the colleges they might be interested in attending. Many schools have summer camps so coaches can see players.</p>
<p>Make a list of schools that interest your daughters. Create a packet that includes: dvd/tape of game, upcoming game schedule, unofficial transcript, sat/psat/other test scores, references, including HS coach phone number. Write a cover letter inviting the college coach to come watch daughter and explaining why daughter is a good fit for the school and team. Overnight the packet to the head coach along with your contact information. I know MANY athletes who have gone on to play in college by following this procedure. Colleges don't care about club as much as they do about how a player can help them win games, even though it is true that most recruiting starts with club. Also, feel free to call any of these coaches and ask them what they suggest your daughters should do this summer. (They have to be careful not to violate any ncaa rules when answering this, but they will let you know.) One good idea is to go to the summer camp of the school you are most interested in. I know at least five or six athletes in various sports who followed this procedure of contacting coaches during their senior year (which is late) and who are now playing in college or on their way to play in college. Recruiting budgets are slim at D-3 schools... they love it when an athlete comes to them. Of course, the athlete has to have ability. Good luck!</p>