Hi, I would like to know what is the age limit to get a scholarship in D1 men for a foreigner. I'm currently 26 an have probably 5 to 8 years of competitive soccer in font of me. I played at the highest level u13, u15, u17 and u19 in france. I made the reserve of a D3 team at 20. Many of my ex teamates are pros now in france and england. Now that my immigration status is getting cleared, i am thinking about doing what i didnt do when i could. I am interested of getting an education at the same time if the rules and regulations of ncaa allows me to. I wouldnt mind playing in DII or DIII to get a scholarship . Basically, i am foreigner, 26 yo, dont have a high school diploma and want to play in college. Im working on getting a GED, i work out everyday, i play everyday. Can someone who really knows about it tell me my "college options" before i just go tryout for pro teams? Thank you
If you were ever paid, which you didn't make clear, then you can't play college soccer. I think, but could be wrong, the limit for NCAA soccer is 26 unless you served in the military. If so, you're better off looking at NAIA schools. Here are your choices - http://naia.cstv.com/member-services/championships/Qualifcation_Plans/MSoccerQP.htm.
There's no age limit in D III. I worked at a school in the mid to late 1990's when a 41 year old guy returned to get a degree and was a pitcher on the baseball team for 4 years. If you've never been to college, and are entering as freshman, with no professional skeletons in your closet, you'd have four years of eligibility left. I can't vouch for D II, but I think you can still play there, too. D I is the only one with an age limit, I believe, and between II and III,only II will provide scholarships. Look at the roster for the current DII national champs, Dowling, on Long Island...they have at least 5 players who are 24 or older (three Scandanavians, two who were All-American, I think)...kind of silly if you ask me. There should be some sort of limit as to how many older players any one college team can have, but that's not my call. You will, however, in order to get a scholarship, have to complete that GED and qualify for the NCAA clearinghouse by scoring above 920 on the SAT's...of course, you can always impress the right coach, spend a year in red-shirt purgatory and then get the scholarship to complete the fantasy.
You are right, livestock. From the NCAA site: In Division I only, if a student-athlete has participated as an individual or as a team representative in organized sports competition, that kind of participation during each 12-month period after his/her 21st birthday and prior to initial full-time collegiate enrollment will count as one year of varsity competition in that sport. Any participation in organized competition during time spent in the U.S. armed services will be excepted. With that said, division 2 and NAIA are the only places you will be eligible for a free ride.
Your best bet is probably NAIA. But your probably still going to end up paying for part of your education. There really aren't really 100% athletic scholarships. If someone has 100%, it's usually a mixture of athletic and academic money. Here are some suggestions; 1. If you really want to get an education, figure out what type of program your interested. 2. Come up with a short list of schools that have this program. 3. Do research on the various soccer programs at these schools. 4. Contact the various schools about what is needed to apply for admissions. 5. Contact the coaches and tell them about your intrest, see about visiting the school and maybe working out with the team. During the winter, most schools have a open gym / work out schedule and spring practise.
Thanks for all your infos, that's helpful. For now, ill go train and work that GED. Then i'll come back and post you where i am. Thanks again.
but if brubaker is 26 with 5 -8 years of competive soccer left, would it be best to try for USL division 1 or 2 right now? If he's good enough to make a squad there then that's where he should be right now, not in college soccer. If he's not good enough then you just have to admit to being one of the best amateurs out there but just not quite good enough to be professional.
If one's goal was to play professional soccer, yes. But it sounded like that was not his goal, but instead wished to parlay his soccer abilities into a college education. Given that college costs maybe $20k/year these days, he's better off going this way than trying for USL D1 or 2.