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So You Want to Continue playing Soccer in College?
- Date Published:
- April 20, 2004
Your first priority must be finding colleges which will provide you with the education you want and need. But unless your educational requirements limit your choices to just a few schools, if you were good enough to play soccer on a premier level club team and start on your high school varsity as a sophomore or junior, you can probably find a college soccer program where you can play.
One word of caution here - stay away from the "pay-me-first" recruiters that are out there making promises to kids that they have no intention or possibility of fulfilling. Their sales pitches may sound good on the surface but doubtless will only leave you hurting and poor.
There are a few things you should consider before deciding to play college soccer:
The life of a college player is very regimented. That is you get up early, go to work out, go to class, go to practice, go to study hall, go to bed, and then start over. There is time for "college life" but not nearly so much as a normal student.
You must be prepared to sit the bench. This is probably the most difficult transition that a star high school player can make. Unless you are lucky enough to go to a team that has no one else to play your position, you are going to have to bump someone out of their position in order to play your freshman year and that is very hard to do. The older players are going to get first shot at their positions and if they are good you may not get a shot until they graduate. That is why it is really important to look for a team that NEEDS someone at your position.
College ball will be a big transition. Many kids are not able to handle it. And it is not for everybody.
Now, if you're still interested here's a roadmap to help you find your way to that college team of your dreams: