BEST COLLEGE SHOWCASES TO ATTEND

What are the best college showcases to attend? I ask because during our games at Disney we had 2-3 college coaches come and watch us while at ESPN, but 0 at the other fields. We had more attend our games at showcases in Austin & Plano, then Disney. Any thoughts?

No easy answer to this question.

it depends on whether the players are dead set on major d1 college programs. That being the case, Vegas, CASL, etc. are options.

But the reality is that usually not more than a handful of players on any given team are legit D1 prospects. Second, right or wrong, the top d1 colleges are increasingly scouting Development Academy events.

It really comes down to the best bang for your buck. Every January there is a decent showcase event in Little Rock. It brings in mostly D2, NAIA and D3 coaches. Not a lot of D1 coaches though. Although Central Arkansas and UA Birmingham did show up this year.

Another route is going to college ID combines where there are multiple D1 (as well as others) show up at a single venue.

Peak Performance is hosting a camp/combine at UT Dallas in June. Quite a few top d1 coaches attending.

US College Soccer ID camps is hosting a camp/combine at Tyler Jr. College in July.

I would definitely consider those options in addition to regular club showcase events.

CH1...I can't speak for Disney; as I've never had a team compete @ that particular tournament. But the following are Showcases I can vouch for:

Showcase of The South ===> Little Rock (every Jan)
John Talley Invitational ====> Memphis (every March)
Sam Shannon Showcase ====> Oklahoma (every Nov)
Germantown Showcase ====> Memphis (every Dec)


We attended both Showcase of The South and John Talley Invitational this year. Competition was solid and believe it or not there were several scouts even @ U16 games. Both events offered solid DII, JUCO, DIII and NAIA exposure. As for DI exposure; I did see a few @ the tournament(s) walking around. I'm looking @ taking the team to the Lonestar Showcase; I heard it's pretty good in regards to competition and exposure...

The biggest problem is that MOST showcases are during HS soccer...Players will soon have to choose.

Hope this helps...

First what age group ? 95s, 96s and top 97 s are what coaches were looking at. Juniors and Seniors then top programs will look at a few sophs.
The second thing I have to ask is how many of your players contacted coaches prior to the showcase to let them know they were interested in their program and that they were playing there? 2 or 3 coaches is a very poor showing and would indicate that your players may not have done their part. Players must initiate the process by showing interest.
If they did contact and none came then maybe the players or coach are setting their sights too high and need to do smaller showcases with less top programs.

my2cents wrote:First what age group ? 95s, 96s and top 97 s are what coaches were looking at. Juniors and Seniors then top programs will look at a few sophs.
The second thing I have to ask is how many of your players contacted coaches prior to the showcase to let them know they were interested in their program and that they were playing there? 2 or 3 coaches is a very poor showing and would indicate that your players may not have done their part. Players must initiate the process by showing interest.
If they did contact and none came then maybe the players or coach are setting their sights too high and need to do smaller showcases with less top programs.

Great points. Although it's not that cut and dry.

Although I recommend contacting coaches to show interest, it is very difficult to do at u15/16 level. (freshmen/sophomores generally) First, it is hard for a player at that age to be intellectually honest first about his ability/potential. And second, have a clear idea of what they will want to study and find the right fit academically.

Granted by the junior year players should have a list of programs they are interested in. I have advised my son to put together a list of top 10 and another 15-20 'secondary' (ie.smaller) programs.

And he is finishing up his freshman year.

But, at this point, it is hit and miss. As is the recruiting process on the coaches' side as well.

it is a lot to ask of a 15/16 yr old to conduct an email marketing campaign to as many as 50 college coaches on a tournaments list. not to mention the research needed to assess a school's academic strengths and degree programs.

But by jr year and definitely before the start of their senior year they should have a clear idea of where they want to go and play.