Let your child play high school soccer.

As I sit here at my desk attempting to figure out the beginning of life, figuring out
the crazy stock market direction, and wondering why a student would skip
playing high school soccer to play club soccer in the fall, it suddenly dawns on
me
I write this as a parent, successful club coach, league administrator and
volunteer in many business related high school programs such as Junior
Achievement, FBA and !otary" #hy deny them this opportunity$
%here are certainly reasons on both sides however I wonder what is best for the
player both physically and emotionally" I have received numerous e mails over
the last several weeks asking me if we are offering an older group for fall" I know
there are coaches out there discouraging high school soccer" &B'( is not
offering any competitive program above )*+ for fall" #e are offering a
recreational (treet (occer program for the older players not playing high school
soccer" ,any of you have told me stories about how high school helped their
team and or child" I have heard stories that players in high school are re-uired to
maintain a certain &.A/ the students work hard on grades so they can play high
school, ultimately it raising their &.A" (tories how their confidence went up after
the high school season and that confidence was brought into the spring club
team" %he stories are countless, a vast ma0ority of them are positive"
I have researched the internet for articles on this sub0ect and it seems to be
pretty much evenly divided in this debate with a slight bias towards the high
school sports" I know the argument l Im an A licensed coach, the high school
coaches dont have my experience1 or 2high school does nothing for them
developmentally1 and 2Im looking to build the best travel team. Bottom line,
what is best for the student and their adolescence development$ #hat do the
players want, let them decide not the coach$
%he high school e3perience can not be replaced by playing club soccer" %he
e3periences, the friendship in high school are important in the development of
our youth players" %he bond they get from high school is long lasting, the
yearbook photos, wearing the game day shirt at school, and building the overall
high school pride" %he team photo and player pictures in the yearbook can never
be replaced or relived" Both programs have their merits, why can4t the program
coe3ist$ %he varsity letters and 0ackets are something that can be never
replaced with club soccer, the pride of wearing them on campus is huge" et4s
not forget the publicity with our local newspaper" %he league has worked very
hard to get articles highlighting our local prep players" %he games, statistics, and
highlights are published weekly" At the end of every season we have a complete
listing of 2All (tate1 teams, 2A1 team, 2B1 team and 2honorable mention1" %he
college coaches do follow those statistics for recruiting"
et4s not forget the opportunity for the 5IAA All (tate Academic6Athletic letter"
%his is significant on a college resume, the ability to play varsity while
maintaining a high &.A, nothing compares to this in fall club soccer"
Soccer NIAA Academic/Athletic
3A boys champion = Boulder City, 3.33; Runner-up = Spring Creek, 3.3.
!A boys champion = South "ahoe, 3.3#; Runner-up = Bishop $anogue, 3.3%.
3A girls champion = &ershing County, 3.!!; Runner-up = Spring Creek, 3.!.
!A girls champions = 'ouglas ( )alena, 3.*+.
I know the argument of e3posure to college coaches and getting 2seen1" %he
college coaches do not recruit in the fall, they are focusing on their teams and
typically do not travel to tournaments" In all honesty most players have a far
better chance to receive an academic scholarship over an athletic scholarship"
%here are plenty of college showcase tournament that are offered when the high
school season is over" %here are several top rated college showcase
tournaments in as 7egas starting in 5ovember, many in 8alifornia and other
west coast states"
I can personally talk about this e3perience with my own son/ he played soccer at
&alena 9igh (chool for all four years" 9e was co:captain on the undefeated J7
team and that e3perience gave him a level of confidence that could not be
achieved in club soccer" 9is 0unior year &alena won the 5orthern 5evada ;one
8hampionship, the celebration afterward was amazing, school pride was riding
high" %he following week they played Bishop &orman and won" !emember
Bishop &orman dominates the soccer high school scene in 5evada" %he
students that flew down to as 7egas 9igh and watched the game were treated
to one of the best high school championship games in many years" %he following
day they lost to as 7egas in a very hard fought game" ,onday, at school, the
players pride was higher than ever before, the school announcement made every
player sit high in his chair and know they were part of something very special"
'ou can4t get that feeling from fall club soccer" %he awards ceremony was very
special as the players received their varsity letter and other awards" I can tell
you this, at their reunions they will be talking about beating &orman and perhaps
will remember some club games/ high school e3perience follows you for life" I
know many of you have the same e3perience as you have shared them with me
over the last several weeks" %he opportunity to play for (tate 8hampions is
huge, seeing the zone championship banner hang in the gymnasium is bigger
than you can imagine" #hy take this opportunity from them, let them be involved
in something that will last a lifetime" I only wish our high school program was
recognized when I played" #e had to provide everything and it was not
sanctioned by the school"
Again the high school e3perience is something every child should be allowed to
participate/ it will only have long lasting memories"
%his brings me to another point, why is soccer in our nation still struggling" ook
at high school football, basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball" All have great
high school programs and we don4t see high school players opting out to play
football some where else" %he stands are filled, the parents are involved and the
players have fun"
I know this will not be well received by some of out there and that is <= with me,
I have no hidden agenda, no financial reason to write this only my desire and
hope the kids will be given the opportunity to play high school soccer and have
fun with their high school team"
Final note, the 5IAA announced in fall >?*> the &irls high school soccer will be a
fall sport and they will create a true state championship game"