Article: College Soccer/Academy

http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/the91stminute/

Interesting article. I only know of one big D1 school that has gone the PDL route. Brigham Young University killed their men's soccer team a few years back along with wrestling and then bought into the PDL. They currently play in the PDL and have a descent relationship with RSL. It's an interesting arrangement and one that could make sense for a number of other schools.

Actually, BYU never had varsity soccer. They had a club program and after winning a national club title, decided to purchase a PDL franchise.

They play an 'exhibition' schedule in the fall and play their normal PDL league in spring/summer.

Personally, I don't see why more Big 12/SEC schools don't do the same thing. Especially given the fact that there are very few mens d1 programs in this region.

Factoring in the Title IX issue, it should be a no brainer.

I've reached the conclusion that college soccer either needs to reform or gotten rid of. No one can tell me that cramming 20+ games into 3 months is good for the student athlete. Physically, mentally or academically.

All the other college sports have longer training/competitive seasons. Baseball has a fall/spring split. Basketball runs October through March. (Solid 5 months.)

Cross country/indoor/outdoor track runs the entire school year and beyond.

So, why should soccer be the stepchild?

Plus, with all these new conference realignments, geography presents an even bigger issue...especially regarding travel (missing class) and expense.

18-21 yr old reserve players elsewhere don't travel hundreds (or even thousands) of miles to play league games.

I'd like to see mens soccer (won't happen though) aligned geographically into leagues...not based on their throwball and hoops teams conference affiliation.

I'm all for an athlete getting an education. But the current system is detrimental to athletic, personal and intellectual development.

UT and TCU have men's club soccer teams

http://www.nirsa.org/wcm/Play/Soccer/Club_Soccer_Links/wcm/_Play/Soccer/Club_Soccer_Links.aspx?hkey=9bb41e33-8c84-491c-825b-c489ca735b0a

The interesting aspect of the article is that it seems to assume that the players should be aspiring to go pro. My bb would love to play in college but he is not thinking of a pro career.

Soccerinsanity wrote:The interesting aspect of the article is that it seems to assume that the players should be aspiring to go pro.  My bb would love to play in college but he is not thinking of a pro career.

Probably true for a lot of collegiate level players. At least they weigh the odds and figure college is where it ends. (Although plenty of competitive adult soccer out there.)

Then again, often times their attitude changes when presented an opportunity.

Soccerinsanity wrote:The interesting aspect of the article is that it seems to assume that the players should be aspiring to go pro.  My bb would love to play in college but he is not thinking of a pro career.

just as with 90% of the ramblings on this forum. the discussion has nothing to do with whats best for or what the youth of soccer wants. its a discussion of what may be best for the US National team

soccerdadrandy wrote:

Soccerinsanity wrote:The interesting aspect of the article is that it seems to assume that the players should be aspiring to go pro.  My bb would love to play in college but he is not thinking of a pro career.

just as with 90% of the ramblings on this forum. the discussion has nothing to do with whats best for or what the youth of soccer wants. its a discussion of what may be best for the US National team

It all ties in together randy. What you do with youth players filters all the way up to the national team.

Germany overhauled its youth program 12 years ago and they now reap the benefits. Same with Spain before.

College soccer's archaic rules have not changed in 50 years.

Laimport wrote:

soccerdadrandy wrote:

Soccerinsanity wrote:The interesting aspect of the article is that it seems to assume that the players should be aspiring to go pro.  My bb would love to play in college but he is not thinking of a pro career.

just as with 90% of the ramblings on this forum. the discussion has nothing to do with whats best for or what the youth of soccer wants. its a discussion of what may be best for the US National team

It all ties in together randy. What you do with youth players filters all the way up to the national team.

Germany overhauled its youth program 12 years ago and they now reap the benefits. Same with Spain before.

College soccer's archaic rules have not changed in 50 years.

agreed

Yes, but most universities wouldn't consider helping to develop the national team part of their charter.  They believe their role is to develop well rounded future leaders.  They could care less how their rules interact / support someone else's goals around improving the soccer pyramid.  

Why would this approach be something important to them?

eredivisie wrote:Yes, but most universities wouldn't consider helping to develop the national team part of their charter.  They believe their role is to develop well rounded future leaders.  They could care less how their rules interact / support someone else's goals around improving the soccer pyramid.  

Why would this approach be something important to them?

therein lies the problem

I disagree.  The problem is that there is no pyramid for youth development in the US.  There is a pay for play system with Classic League at the pinnacle.  Nothing in this system is designed to create national team players.  If they develop, it is a happy coincidence.  We have MLS, NASL, and USL Pro with very little market penetration and no developmental framework for most.  The US Soccer Academies are generally run by the pay for play guys with the same approach and results.  We have ODP and iD2 which do a decent job of identifying quality players within their system, however, they have no reach nor the ability to develop with 10 - 12 practices per year.  Finally, we have the HS and College system that play by their own rules and generally do very little development - it is all about winning the conference title.

The problem is this:  Where is the development coming from?  Accidental and incidental to the goal of winning?  Only by those so self motivated they work on their skills on their own?  Or, only for those that can afford year round private skills or residency fees?

there are many different problems. XBOX is one as well. if a child wants it bad enough, its there to be had. put a child on a desert island from 8-14 with a wall and a ball and you will end up with a pretty damn good player

But not a kid with the knowledge to make it in college

Soccerinsanity wrote:But not a kid with the knowledge to make it in college

Very true but my comment was directed to the "all that is wrong with NTX soccer" alarmist!