I am fairly new to the academy/select scene in Texas and I am trying to figure out the DA/ PA and ODP and college scholorship chances for soccer players. I understand it is a long shot for any kid to get a college Scholorship but I took a look at the ESPN College Commitments from 2012 to see where most of the kids getting scholorships came from.


It was clear that more than 85% to 90% if not more of them came from clubs that had a DA program. There were a few from clubs without DA but not many. This would lead me to believe that everyone with a kid that may have a chance to play in college will go to a club that at least has a DA team.

That is not good news for the small clubs in NTX. It seems it will be harder for a kid to get a scholarship from a small club and if the parents know that, the kids will migrate over the the big four.

This may not be anything new and may have been the way it works for many years. Just wandering if the DA and now PA programs will have a major affect on the small clubs.

BTMason wrote:Children who play in the D/A will be more easily identified. Therefore, they are often given scholarships because they are known. However, if you look at the Rosters of most of the D1 Schools who actually have Soccer Programs you see that many of the children are imports. I say this because it is by the same method that non D/A players should approach scholarships. It means working with your coach/club director/high school coach to ensure you have as much film on your child as possible. Then unfortunately the process of making your child known to the Coaches of the University's becomes the responsability of the Parent and Player.

Still don't discount the quality of the players coming from the D2 schools.

I agree and hope the small clubs work with their better players to make the contacts and get the players in front of the college coaches etc. I think it is better to have all the variety of clubs in NTX and that a player from any club (large or small) would have a chance to play at the next level.