phxinferno
13 Jun 2007, 02:47 PM
I posted this question on the Milwaukee site, where Peter Wilt has an ongoing diologue with Milwaukee boosters as he tries to secure a team for Milwaukee. Peter Wilt, by the way, was the Fire's GM at inception and was responsible for Toyota Park being built...
Originally Posted by phxinferno http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?p=11788817#post11788817)
Peter, Besides adding to the overall/general atmosphere of soccer in a community, what value now and in the future does collegiate soccer have towards professional soccer in a region and nationally? I ask this because many of the pundits say players are ill served going the college route if they want to become professionals, yet most of the "drafted" talent still comes from the NCAA.
In Arizona, none of the three state universities have men's programs (ASU and UA are the only PAC 10 teams without one) and except for a small Div II team there are none - Yavapai Community College is our one redemption, but its not in Phoenix. All of our best players of course leave so that it leaves little if we wanted even a PDL team.
Peter Wilt's response:
Playing collegiately vs. turning pro, much like playing in MLS vs. going to Europe is an individual decision that needs to take in many variables that differ for each individual.
Players generally develop better and quicker when put in full time, high level, competitive environments - this means dedicating oneself to professional soccer as soon as possible, if the sole goal is to facilitate soccer proficiency.
In general, however, since most 18 to 22 year olds are not prepared/willing to forego a college degree and its lifelong implications, playing collegiate soccer combined with off seasons in PDL represent the best choice for the MAJORITY of 18-22 year old players in the US. This will likely continue to be true for the foreseeable future. For the elite of the elite, however, it makes sense for most of them to forego college and begin the commitment to professional soccer as soon as possible. This doesn't mean that college soccer isn't an important channel for professional soccer as you indicate above. If all collegiate players suddenly became full time professionals, would they be better players in four years than if they had continued in college? Most of them, yes. Also, the structures aren't in place in this country to support that system yet. MLS is slowly developing the structure to support more professional development earlier, but i don't see it replacing college now or in the future.
Having collegiate programs locally can provide a base of players for the local pro team. It's no coincidence that the Galaxy has had a ton of UCLA players over the years....or Columbus with Indiana players, but it's not imperative. The state of Minnesota, like Arizona, has no D1 NCAA men's soccer programs. The Thunder has usually managed to bring local stars back to the state to play professionally due to the players' roots in the area. i imagine, Phoenix could do the same.
Having good collegiate soccer programs locally can help establish a base of support for a pro team - not only with fans, but also media and sponsorship support as well. Everyone things in terms of youth soccer players growing up to be ticket purchasers some day. While that is true, it is equally important that those kids grow up and become decision makers with media outlets and corporations, which impacts coverage and sponsorship. A strong local collegiate soccer team will generate alumni who someday will be in positions to help the pro team out in those ways.
i guess that's all a long way of saying that of course it's a benefit to a pro soccer team to have quality collegiate programs locally, but it's not critical to their success.
peter
Originally Posted by phxinferno http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?p=11788817#post11788817)
Peter, Besides adding to the overall/general atmosphere of soccer in a community, what value now and in the future does collegiate soccer have towards professional soccer in a region and nationally? I ask this because many of the pundits say players are ill served going the college route if they want to become professionals, yet most of the "drafted" talent still comes from the NCAA.
In Arizona, none of the three state universities have men's programs (ASU and UA are the only PAC 10 teams without one) and except for a small Div II team there are none - Yavapai Community College is our one redemption, but its not in Phoenix. All of our best players of course leave so that it leaves little if we wanted even a PDL team.
Peter Wilt's response:
Playing collegiately vs. turning pro, much like playing in MLS vs. going to Europe is an individual decision that needs to take in many variables that differ for each individual.
Players generally develop better and quicker when put in full time, high level, competitive environments - this means dedicating oneself to professional soccer as soon as possible, if the sole goal is to facilitate soccer proficiency.
In general, however, since most 18 to 22 year olds are not prepared/willing to forego a college degree and its lifelong implications, playing collegiate soccer combined with off seasons in PDL represent the best choice for the MAJORITY of 18-22 year old players in the US. This will likely continue to be true for the foreseeable future. For the elite of the elite, however, it makes sense for most of them to forego college and begin the commitment to professional soccer as soon as possible. This doesn't mean that college soccer isn't an important channel for professional soccer as you indicate above. If all collegiate players suddenly became full time professionals, would they be better players in four years than if they had continued in college? Most of them, yes. Also, the structures aren't in place in this country to support that system yet. MLS is slowly developing the structure to support more professional development earlier, but i don't see it replacing college now or in the future.
Having collegiate programs locally can provide a base of players for the local pro team. It's no coincidence that the Galaxy has had a ton of UCLA players over the years....or Columbus with Indiana players, but it's not imperative. The state of Minnesota, like Arizona, has no D1 NCAA men's soccer programs. The Thunder has usually managed to bring local stars back to the state to play professionally due to the players' roots in the area. i imagine, Phoenix could do the same.
Having good collegiate soccer programs locally can help establish a base of support for a pro team - not only with fans, but also media and sponsorship support as well. Everyone things in terms of youth soccer players growing up to be ticket purchasers some day. While that is true, it is equally important that those kids grow up and become decision makers with media outlets and corporations, which impacts coverage and sponsorship. A strong local collegiate soccer team will generate alumni who someday will be in positions to help the pro team out in those ways.
i guess that's all a long way of saying that of course it's a benefit to a pro soccer team to have quality collegiate programs locally, but it's not critical to their success.
peter