Overview of Space Coast United Soccer Club College Prep ... · Scott Armstrong HIGH SCHOOL: * Three-year captain and two-time MVP * 2014 NSCAA High School Girls Soccer All-American

OVERVIEW

SPACE COAST UNITED

SOCCER CLUB

COLLEGE PREP PROGRAM

Club Director: Scott Armstrong

May 3rd, 2016

Be a better player.

When you think you're good enough - work harder, learn more.

Space Coast Alumni

Age Bracket Mandate

The College Decision

Academics

Financial Aspects

Checklists (9, 10, 11, 12th grades)

Researching Schools

Where do you fit

ID Camps

Contacting Coaches (Email content, resumes)

Summary Additional Resources

The easy way to give the student (your child) the

greatest opportunities and choices is to create the

strongest possible academic and extracurricular

portfolio/resume

Presented by

Scott Armstrong

AGENDA

Kristin Grubka

5’10” National Team: U23

Professional:

Sky Blue FC

College:

Florida State

High School:

Dairy Farmers 6A Player

of the Year

Florida Girls HS 6A Player

of the Year

ESPN RISE All-

American team in 08-09

President of the National

Honor Society

Student Body VP

SPACE COAST ALUMNI

Michaela Hahn

5’4” National Team: U23

Professional:

Western NY Flash

1st round 2016 draft

College:

Florida State

High School:

Fl Today All-Space Coast first

team honoree ‘10 & ‘11

All-Cape Coast Conf team as a

freshman

Region ODP camp ’08 & ‘09

Katie Stengel

5’8” National Team: U23

Professional:

Washington Spirit

College:

Wake Forest

High School:

Florida Girls HS 4A Player of

the Year

2010 Fl Soccer Gatorade

Player of the Year

2010 Space Coast Player of

the Year

All-Space Coast Team (3x)

Valedictorian, Member of

National Honor Society.

Toni Pressley

5’10” National Team: U23

Professional:

Orlando Pride

College:

Florida State

High School: Region ODP Pool Player ‘06-

’08

2008 PARADE All-American

NSCAA/Adidas Youth All-

America Team

All-Space Coast Team 2007

Top 50 recruit by Soccer Buzz

Presented by

Scott Armstrong

Jackie Stengel

5’9” National Team: U23

College:

NC State

High School: Florida Class 4A Player of the

Year in 2013

Second-highest rated player in

the state of Florida, and 33rd

nationally at the forward

position

Region 3 ODP team (4x)

SPACE COAST ALUMNI

Katie Jackson

5’7” College:

UCF

High School: Florida Gatorade Player of the

Year (2007, 2008)

Orlando Sharks 2007-08

Annual Elite 11 Pro Prospect

Satellite's Golden Boot Award

All-Space Coast Conference

Florida Today Player of the

Year

Florida ODP 2004 - 2007

Tishia Jewell

5’6” Semi Professional:

Women's Premier Soccer

League Cocoa Expo

Team

College:

UCF

High School: ODP 2005 – 2008

2007 FHSAA 5A Most

Valuable Player

All-Space Coast First Team

Cape Coast All-Conference

Team

Ella Stephan

5’7” National Team: U23

Professional: Glasgow City,

Pali Blues

College:

Florida State

High School: ODP Region Team 04-05

NSCAA/adidas High School All-

America

Gatorade Player of the Year 2007

All-Space Coast Player of the Year

five-time All-Space Coast Team

Top 25 recruit by Soccer Buzz

Presented by

Scott Armstrong

TYPICAL PLAYER PROFILE FOR AN ACC TEAM LIKE FSU

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Scott Armstrong

HIGH SCHOOL:

* Three-year captain and two-time MVP

* 2014 NSCAA High School Girls Soccer All-American

* Member of the 2014 FHSAA Girls All-State Soccer Team

* Participated in the 2015 Girls High School All-Star Classic

ODP/CLUB:

* Participated in the Florida ODP in 2011, 2013 and 2014

* Invited to the Region III ODP Thanksgiving Interregional in 2013 and 2014

* Invited to the Region III International Trip in 2013 and 2014

* Named to the Regional All-Star Team in 2014

U.S. NATIONAL TEAM:

* Played on the U-17 National Team

* Called into camp with the U-20 National Team

COMMITMENTS FROM U17 SPACE COAST

Presented by

Scott Armstrong

Tiana Caffey (2017)

Alex Vandegrift (2017)

Sydney Lau (2018)

Brook Bollinger (2018)

Macy Hedelund (2017)

Jordan Walsh (2016)

Keli Lindquist (2017)

Chynna McGirt (2017)

Caroline Larsen (2017)

Hollyn Knight (2017)

Katie Kenward (2017)

Expected Commits:

Shannon Gosule

(Rice University, UNCG, Wingate)

Amanda Brust

(Lincoln Memorial University)

SCHOOLS SPACE COAST HAS SENT PLAYERS

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Scott Armstrong

American Univ Emory Rollins

Armstrong

Florida Gulf Coast

Univ

Savannah College of

Art

Barry Florida Tech St Leo

Citadel Florida State Univ of Tampa

Coast Guard George Mason Univ of Florida

Davidson Greenville Univ of North Florida

Duke Jacksonville Univ

University of

Pennsylvania

Eastern Florida Lincoln Memorial

University of West

Florida

Eastern Tennessee St

Univ

Merchant Marine

Academy Vanderbilt

Eckerd Nova

AGE BRACKET MANDATE

Presented by

Scott Armstrong

While we are well aware of the birth year mandate passed on by US Soccer, Space

Coast United age brackets of 02/03 and up will be reviewed independently to ensure

player development and team formation follow our current model and are aligned with

our organization's philosophy and mission of providing the highest quality soccer

experience for every member.

As a club, we want to be able to provide the best structure while still allowing us to

maintain the elevated standards required by the NPL and other leagues/programs.

Age

Group

Birth Year

U18/U19

‘98-'00

(these three birth years form 1 team)

U17 ‘00-'01

U16 ‘01-'02

U15 '02-'03

U14 '03-'04

Using a flexible (birth year mandate) helps provide the

following:

• Best opportunity for player development.

• Strength of team formation and exposure to

tournaments.

• Flexibility to place players in different age groups that

we, as a staff, feel is best for each individual player.

AGE BRACKET MANDATE

Presented by

Scott Armstrong

THE COLLEGE DECISION

Do you want to be in a certain geographical area of the country

Are there some places you definitely don’t want to be?

How far from home would you like to be?

Do you want your parents to attend your home games?

Do you want a school that is <2,500 students, 2,500-5,000, 5,000-10,000, >10,000?

Do you have a specific major that you think you want to pursue (for example, engineering)?

Finances (total cost of attendance)

If playing athletics NCAA Div I, II, III, NAIA, or NJCAA

Student life – campus activities (football games)

Meeting admission standards

Student 51% lead, Parent 49%

Think about the following items that may influence your

decision to attend a particular school, or not:

Presented by

Scott Armstrong

ACADEMICS

Unweighted GPA

Weighted Core GPA – Higher Selective/Competitive Schools use

these

Standardized Entrance Exam Scores (SAT or ACT)

Difference between ACT of 28 and ACT of 30 can be as much as $30,000

National Merit Scholarship Program

Magic GPA is 3.55 for Student Athletes attending NCAA schools

Presented by

Scott Armstrong

WHY IS MY GPA IMPORTANT?

Indicators that can predict your academic success in college:

GPA, SAT/ACT Scores, AP Courses, Volunteer/Extracurricular

Shows Player:

Will not have difficulties being accepted by the college's admissions office

Can be a contributing member of their squad on every level – athletic, emotional, social, mental,

etc.

Knows how to establish healthy priorities in their life, can set/reach goals, manage time

effectively, etc.

Handle the pressures of school and your sport, while still taking part in other activities

Presented by

Scott Armstrong

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Scholarship and Grants:

Maintain certain academic/other

requirements.

Academic (minimum gpa, enrollment hours,

good standing)

Athletic (player’s performance on and off

the field)

Free $$

Federal Aide Financial Student

Application (FAFSA)

Not Free $

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Scott Armstrong

FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONT’D)

Total cost of attendance

$18,000 (per year) (Tuition, Fees, Board, Food, Books, Pers Exp)

Financial Aid Package

Financial packages will be combination of –

Academic Scholarship

Athletic Scholarship

Bright Futures (if any)

Grant (if any)

Stafford Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized)

The difference between the sum of the above minus the total cost of attendance is what your expected out of pocket cost will be.

Example Financial Aid Package

$ 2,000 Academic Scholarship is $2000 per year for 4 years

$ 2,000 Athletic Scholarship is $2000 per year (annual renewable basis**)

$ 1,000 Grants each year

$ 5,500 Student Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized)

$ 10,500 Total financial aid package for this student athlete (freshman year)

Out of Pocket Cost

$ 18,000 - $ 10,500 The student will still need $ 7,500 out of pocket to pay for their Freshman year

**Each year athletic scholarships are renewed and there is no guarantee that amount of athletic scholarship will be constant. Renewable based on player’s performance on and off the field.

Presented by

Scott Armstrong

FINANCIAL INFORMATION(CONT’D) MAGIC GPA NUMBER – 3.55

If your GPA is lower than 3.55 the coach and school must count

all MONEYs (academic scholarship, grants, etc…) provided to you

at that school against that sport’s budget

So using the earlier example the freshman entering college will have the

$2,000 – academic

$2,000 – athletic

$1,000 – grant

= $5,000 counted against the coach’s and sports budget

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Scott Armstrong

9TH GRADE CHECKLIST (FOCUS ON TRAINING & ACADEMICS)

Academically: Meet your guidance counselor and discuss your plans for the next 4 years, research college

requirements for high school courses

Build strong academic, language, mathematics and critical thinking skills by taking challenging courses

Work on improving your GPA

Visit the NCAA Eligibility Center (see last slide in packet for reference material)

Athletically: Work hard during your HS soccer season, talk with your coach & find out what you need to

work on specifically to be a better player

Find a club and coach that has history of success in getting girls onto college teams

Participate on a top level club soccer team with top level training

Participate in top quality tournaments with your club team (Disney Showcase)

Participate in Olympic Development Programs (ODP) with your state association

Create initial ‘Potential list’ of schools. Cast a wide net (D1, D2, D3, large and small, etc.)

In spring and summer, begin attending clinics and camps. Remember, you are always being evaluated, both on and off the field. Coaches are watching to determine how you will affect their team chemistry

Go to the college’s athletic website and register as a prospective athlete

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Scott Armstrong

10TH GRADE CHECKLIST (FOCUS ON TRAINING & ACADEMICS – START RESEARCHING POTENTIAL COLLEGES)

Academically: Make an appointment with your guidance counselor so that you can discuss your plans for high

school and college, inform them if you are considering a military academy upon graduation

Participate in a volunteer/service activity and other extracurricular activities both at school and in

the community. A depth of involvement is important

Take the PSAT, begin SAT/ACT preparation studies

Athletically: Need to be thinking seriously about making the decision and commitment of being a

Student/Athlete

Discuss with your club coach as to your realistic levels of college play

Attend at least one clinic and seriously think about attending at least one summer camp

Look for camps that will have the schools or similar type schools represented at the camp

Assemble your “Potential College List”, 8-10 colleges you may be interested in attending

You may send emails to “Potential College” coaches stating your interest in their program

Create a soccer resume, Start creating a video library (clips of plays)

Begin unofficial visits (10th – 11th grade) for campus experience, visit other campuses locally to

understand difference in size of campus

Enroll with the NCAA Eligibility Center

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Scott Armstrong

11TH GRADE CHECKLIST (BEGIN THE RECRUITING PROCESS)

Academically: Make an appointment with your guidance counselor so that you can discuss your plans for high school and

college

If you are interested in a military academy or ROTC scholarship, begin the application process

Participate in a volunteer/service activity and other extracurricular activities both at school and in the community.

A depth of involvement is important

Check with local school counselor for SAT & ACT registration deadlines, take SAT/ ACT

Obtain “Letters of Recommendations” & develop a “Reference” list

Athletically: (D1, D2 coaches can email after July 1 of junior year, D3 coaches can communicate with you at any

point)

Continue with a top-level soccer club, attending quality soccer tournaments & participating in ODP

Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center

If possible, watch your target schools play during the fall. Make sure the coaches know you watched their teams

(in emails for upcoming tournaments, etc.)

Determine which schools are truly interested. If you are being actively recruited, you will know it; if you’re unsure if

a coach is interested, they probably aren’t. But there is no reason to guess, ask direct questions

Based on coach feedback, further narrow your list. Decide if you are aiming too high academically or athletically;

if you are (i.e., none of the coaches on your list are actively recruiting you) adjust your list and get noticed by

different coaches

Then be proactive! Send emails to “Preferred College” coaches stating your interest in their program with your

tournaments and league schedules

Presented by

Scott Armstrong

12TH GRADE CHECKLIST (COLLEGE COACHES AND PLAYERS MAKE THEIR DECISIONS)

Academically:

Write college essays (check college websites for essay requirements)

Fill out Transcript Release forms and provide to your guidance counselor for each college you are applying

Some colleges, as well as some college majors, require an admission interview. Be organized -make sure that you have met all

the requirements for the interview

Review your financial package(s) (it will be a combination of funding sources)

Get financial aid forms: Federal Application Free Student Aid (FAFSA) which is required by all colleges (available in December) if

you want to be eligible for financial aid. Parents should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible, but not before January

File Financial Aid Forms by January 1st

Read your respective Financial Aid Handbook in your county (usually distributed to seniors in February) for scholarship

opportunities

Write schools if you will not accept their offer of admission

Complete housing and health forms

Athletically: (D1 and D2 coaches can call you after September 1. D3 coaches can communicate with you at any point)

Most D1 and D2 programs will have made their decisions by the start of your senior year. Some D1 and D2 programs will have

openings if one of their candidates changes her mind. The more competitive D3 programs will also have finished their recruiting

by September 1

Lower level D1 and D2 programs could still be trying to fill their roster, especially if they found that most of their top prospects

took other offers. Many D3 programs will be trying to complete their recruiting

You need to be cleared and declared eligible by the NCAA (Status is posted on your NCAA Eligibility Center account)

Arrange for Official visit & interviews

Apply to at least three schools for possible admissions & inform your school counselor

Review acceptances & soccer offers--- if you have not already, then choose the school of your choice

Notify the college you have chosen & notify other “Preferred Colleges” coaches of your decision

Sign “National Letter of Intent” --- signing begins in February

Suggestion: Take time to thank all the coaches, mentors, & others that may have helped you along the process!

Presented by

Scott Armstrong

RESEARCHING SCHOOLS

School Research Major - area of academic interest

Quality of the school

Meeting admission standards

Size of school

Finances (total cost of attendance)

Local vs. Distant | Urban vs. Rural | Commuting vs. Residential | Campus Size (Lg/Sm)

Student life – campus activities

Soccer Program Research Realistic Expectations (Where do I fit in choosing NCAA Div I, II, III, NAIA, or NJCAA)

Open Mind (Great athletic and educational opportunities are available at smaller schools and many offer combinations of

athletic scholarships and financial aid)

Research the existing roster (# of players graduating same year as you) and committed players for your graduating year

1. How many seniors are graduating, Are there red shirt players returning?

2. Where would I play in the team?

3. How much playing time should I expect as a freshman? (Research past game statistics)

4. How many other players are playing that position?

5. Have other committed for the position?

Coaching Style

NCAA Div I, II, III, NAIA, or NJCAA (understand difference in time/etc. commitment)

•Would you come to this university if

you didn’t make the soccer team?

•Pick your school based on

academics, not soccer

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Scott Armstrong

NCAA REQUIREMENTS/EXPECTATIONS

ACC SEC BIG 10 Smaller D1 Div II Div III Ivy League International

Min 2.3 GPA

Sliding Scale based on GPA/SAT/ACT Scores

Example: 2.5 core GPA to have a minimum 1,000 SAT score

DUKE: Average GPA required for the team

3.8 + GPA

2100 SAT, 2

SAT IIs in the

700s (or 32

ACT plus 2

SAT IIs in the

700s.

Primarily uses

GPA (less weight

on SAT/ACT) due

to international

focus

UNC:

Nat’l Team U21

Recruited at

U15

UCLA:

Nat’l Team

Recruited at

U15

Some as

competitive

Smaller D1’s

Some as

competitive

DII’s

Florida Institute

of Technology

Florida

International

University

Rollins Univ

All-American, All-state, All-league/district

Three-to-four-year varsity starter

Olympic development program experience

Three-to-four-year varsity

starter

See (ACC,

etc.)

Division I coaches will have already identified their top recruits

by the end of their sophomore year.

Only

Academic Scholarships

Harvard: Only

academic

scholarships

Playing any sport in college requires a time commitment (10-15 hours in sport, 3+ hours weight training, 10 hours

study hour, travel time (missing class), film/meetings) – Each school and/or conference has unique requirements.

Also, your major of study has an impact on the # of hours spent studying and homework

Presented by

Scott Armstrong

WHAT DOES A DIVISION I PLAYER LOOK LIKE?

Intrinsic Commitment

Plays 1 sport in high school years (commits to soccer)

Attends private training for position

Ability to commit to next level expectations

Commits to a physical fitness regime

Gets up early to workout on own

Love of the game and your teammates

Academic Commitment

Maintains a 3.5+ GPA

Well Rounded Athlete

Presented by

Scott Armstrong

WHERE WOULD I FIT?

Source:

A Player and Parent’s Guide to Women’s College Soccer Recruiting

Version 2.0 (Oct 2013) https://beachfc.demosphere-secure.com/_files/college-alumni/WomensCollegeSoccerRecruitingGuide.pdf

Presented by

Scott Armstrong

WHERE WOULD I FIT? Source:

A Player and Parent’s Guide to Women’s College Soccer Recruiting

Version 2.0 (Oct 2013)

Presented by

Scott Armstrong

ATTENDING ID CAMPS, BEST EXPOSURE

IMPORTANT: Coaches do not come to tournament games to identify prospects from random games. Coaches are there to watch players who have contacted them prior to the tournament #1 – Email the coach prior to each tournament, clinic/camp;

Remember to update the coach should your schedule change. See future slide on email content

# 2 – Attend ID camps hosted by the colleges you may want to attend

At the college campus

At a locally run camp where they will be http://www.firstcoastsoccer.com/home/796237.html

#3 – Compete at events/tournaments where college coaches attend

USYSA State/Regional Championships

Major National Tournaments (Disney Showcase)

ODP

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Scott Armstrong

EMAIL CONTENT / RESUME CONTENT

Name, position, number, phone, email *create new email account for recruiting purposes: ex:

[email protected]

All Coaches contact info (phone,email)

Interest in their college

Upcoming game schedule

Highlight Video URL (optional, but recommended)

Individual Accomplishments

(soccer, academic, test scores)

Goalies

number of games started

win/loss record, # of shutouts

goals-against average

total goals against for a season

shots on goal saves

saves percentage

Presented by

Scott Armstrong

Shannon’s Recruiting Video

Video

Presented by

Scott Armstrong

HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

No college coach will choose a player based on video highlights. What you're trying

to do is convince the college coach that it will be worth their time to come watch

the player at a game.

Use an arrow or a circle to identify your child in video

Post on YouTube, Share URL with coaches, monitor analytics

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=soccer+recruiting+video

3 minutes (ideal maximum)

Presented by

Scott Armstrong

WHAT’S AFTER THE EMAIL?

Most important factor is reaching out to the schools you would

like to consider

Follow up with a phone call

Coaches may not be able to return a phone call

Leave a message that you will call again on specific date/time.

College coaches CAN communicate with club and high school coaches

Face-to-face script (practice) with coach

College Coaches will do their best to make you feel at ease

Ask about openings for your position (in your graduating year)

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Scott Armstrong

SUMMARY

Keep your grades up (more opportunities with higher GPA)

Pick your Top 5 schools

Research the schools and resume’s of players on

the team

Review roster/graduating players and history of

freshman playing time

Academic Minimums

Take a campus visit, visit 2-3 schools

Attend an ID camp

Player needs to drive the process and will need

support from parents Presented by

Scott Armstrong

College Research US News and World Report College Ranking

Recruiting Sites Free/Paid sites to load your profile to increase exposure

Kick2College.com BeRecruited.com CaptainU.com

NCAA Eligibility/Registration NCAA Eligibility Registration

NCAA Steps for achieving eligibility

DI, DII, DIII Eligibility Requirements Reference Sheet:

DI, DII Initial Eligibility Standards (Core Course Checklist)

Recruiting Guides A Player and Parent’s Guide to Women’s College Soccer Recruiting

Age Bracket Mandate Space Coast Town Hall Presentation April 20, 2016

QUICK LINKS

Presented by

Scott Armstrong