[soccer1988]

It's taken me a couple of months to find out, but I got the confirmation tonight.

In my D1 team there are 4 players with assured starting spots and full playing time guaranteed.

From what I was able to learn, three of them got it during recruiting, but the fourth got it after his dad went to talk to the coach, in what seemed to be a bit threatening interview.

Let's put aside all the words that come to mind right now, that you can all guess.

Is that usual in D1 teams ??

Is there anything to be done about it ??

[collegesoccer]

Originally Posted by soccer1988

It's taken me a couple of months to find out, but I got the confirmation tonight.

In my D1 team there are 4 players with assured starting spots and full playing time guaranteed.

From what I was able to learn, three of them got it during recruiting, but the fourth got it after his dad went to talk to the coach, in what seemed to be a bit threatening interview.

Let's put aside all the words that come to mind right now, that you can all guess.

Is that usual in D1 teams ??

Is there anything to be done about it ??

Let me guess. You are one of the players not playing.

[Dsocc]

Originally Posted by soccer1988

Let's put aside all the words that come to mind right now, that you can all guess.

The words that come to mind are "...too much money invested in these guys to have to explain to my AD why they aren't playing all the time"

Is that usual in D1 teams ?

Not unusual.

Is there anything to be done about it ??

Not much.

[soccer1988]

Originally Posted by collegesoccer

Let me guess. You are one of the players not playing.

Really smart, little help...
But wrong. I coul be a starter, who works his butt off everyday in practice, who has gotten some accolades, but who is p...ed off loosing games because some guys who don't deserve to be on the team makes us limp every time. In three of the cases, much better players are sitting on the bench.

The reason I ask for help or ideas is because the obvious response would end with my bones on the bench and my scholarship flying. And because I care, and "unfair" situations really get to my guts.

Dsocc, thanks.

I am afraid we fall in the situation known as "The AD doesn´t give a s..t about the program". So those were not the exact words comming, at least, to my mind.

[soccermoms2]

I know this may not be of any help, but at least you are getting a quality education (with scholarship money, right?).

College soccer is neither developmental nor fair. Many D1 college coaches don't know how to coach soccer let alone understand how to manage the strengths and weaknesses of the personnel on his team. Often they don't have a legitimate game plan and are often content with a 500 record, because they can keep their jobs this way.

It is unfortunate, but this is the nature of the beast. If soccer is still cursing strongly in your veins after you graduate, go to Europe and play. The MLS is merely an extension of College Soccer 101.

[soccer1988]

Sorry for the late answer, Soccermoms2. Had to travel to play yesterday.

For collegesoccer, I started, played 80 minutes and scored 1 goal.... AND WE LOST AGAIN. But the four riders, all played 90' and contributed 0 (except for the penalty that costed us the game).

Soccermoms2, you sound like my mother. Trust me, this is a great thing, except if you're her.

"Many D1 college coaches don't know how to coach soccer", bet your life. They can make a difference with a football, but not with a basketball.
"understand how to manage the strengths and weaknesses of the personnel on his team", even if it was a priority.
"Often they don't have a legitimate game plan", understatement.
"with a 500 record, because they can keep their jobs this way", this reminds me of the "The AD doesn´t give a s..t about the program".
"after you graduate, go to Europe and play", I love the idea, but have no clue how to get started.

But after all this, the situation continues, and my education, not the academic side, has taught me that things are right or wrong, and that wrong things should be argued, confronted and resolved.

Life has also shown me, unfortunately, that many times we look first at our own, private interest and to turn our heads away from problems that could dammage us.

But I still can't get a good nite of sleep with all this.

Trully appreciate your comments.

[Dsocc]

Originally Posted by soccermoms2

College soccer is neither developmental nor fair.

Which is true.

The MLS is merely an extension of College Soccer 101.

And actually not true, which is why MLS has continuously reduced its reliance on 3 & 4 year college guys in favor of international talent, 1&2 year college guys, and the new 2/team, U18 signing allottment.

[Mr_HoseHead]

Originally Posted by soccer1988

In my D1 team there are 4 players with assured starting spots and full playing time guaranteed. From what I was able to learn, three of them got it during recruiting, but the fourth got it after his dad went to talk to the coach, in what seemed to be a bit threatening interview.

Is that usual in D1 teams ??

Is there anything to be done about it ??

Is that usual? Well, let's just say that it is not unusual. Four players might initially seem a little high, but it could be one per class year so no biggie. Four from the same year would usually be quite unlikely unless it's a near-total program rebuild or something along those lines. Even with the maximum 9.9 equivalents allocated, as stated above it is a whole lot easier to answer to the AD if your money guys are playing 100%.

"Money guys" does not always equate to scholarship amount. There has been more than one case where the wealth of the family sure seemed to be a factor in which one of several players got to start from day-1 and play all of every game (when a more objective evaluation of the actual talent and production or outcomes might have resulted in a different pecking order). And this even happens at schools that didn't offer athletic merit scholarships. All that really says is that D1 soccer, just like life, is not always rational nor fair nor does often it go as you hoped or expected.

Is there anything to be done about it? Unless your parents own a mint (as in "money guys" above) - no, not like you'd want. If you're on scholarship and actually getting a real education at reduced cost, then let's just say that you're getting even more for your (reduced) money that you'd bargained for. About all you can really do is to work harder, play smarter and better, and simply outshine those four. Maybe the coach will not ever want to publicly admit it, but others will (eventually) see that you're the player out there. That may not be the outcome you asked for nor the advice you seek, but from experience it's probably the best real-world approach and outcome you can hope for.

Work hard, work smart. Play hard, play smart. Have fun!

It's so simple, and something you can do totally under your control. Getting starts and time you didn't earn doesn't teach much nor automatically lead to tons of success in later life. Anyone can be an "anointed one" - it's actually earning the respect of teammates, opposing players and coaches, and everyone you come in contact with through how you work & how you play that is your ultimate reward. What you learn from all this and how you respond will serve you far better and for decades to come. Who's gonna guarantee those four the equivalent of playing time for the rest of their lives?

[hammers01]

Originally Posted by Dsocc

The words that come to mind are "...too much money invested in these guys to have to explain to my AD why they aren't playing all the time"

Not unusual.

Not much.

You will probably find out at the end of the season that all star / all league selections occur in much the same way. The players that get special treatment during the season also tend to make the all league teams even if they are killing your team on the field.

[Dsocc]

Originally Posted by hammers01

You will probably find out at the end of the season that all star / all league selections occur in much the same way. The players that get special treatment during the season also tend to make the all league teams even if they are killing your team on the field.

No. I found that out a long time ago.