Thanksgiving week was busy for several So Cal Rush players, however, not in a traditional way. Rather than gathering for turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy; So Cal Rush players gathered at different venues for competitive soccer with a side of incredible opportunities. Two So Cal teams and players from four other teams ventured out for several soccer college showcases and Thanksgiving tournaments.
The So Cal Rush G01’s earned an extraordinary opportunity by being accepted into the 2017 Disney Girls Soccer Showcase in Florida. Over 300 college coaches were present from colleges around the United States and Canada. Games were played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports venue near Disney World at top-notch fields with scoreboards and stadium seating. So Cal Rush players were directed to send out interest letters to college coaches and invite them to the showcase. College coaches lined the sidelines of each game.
The G00’s and two players from the G01’s participated in the Silver Lakes Thanksgiving Tournament where over 100 college coaches were present. Members from the G04’s and G05’s combined forces with Wisconsin Rush at the Las Vegas Thanksgiving Classic. Three players from the B03’s reconnected with Nor Cal Rush for the Surf College Cup in San Diego, Del Mar.
Four players from the G05’s/G02’s and three from from the B03’s/B99’s participated in the November Nights College Showcase in Oceanside.
With each experience, whether it is guest playing, tournament play, or a college showcase; players should always maximize each opportunity. Guest playing provides athletes with experiences to record on their college recruiting resume or profile. It shows college coaches the player is versatile, flexible, and an asset to any team. College showcases provide players with the opportunity to highlight their talents and strengths in front of college coaches. Showcases are invaluable to players and coaches, as colleges are constantly searching for talented student athletes to complete their rosters. So Cal Rush uses the online college recruiting tool, College Fit FInder. It serves as a resource to build a profile, connect with college coaches, establish relationships, and document interactions with coaches. In addition to College Fit Finder, there are a wide variety of other college recruiting tools available to players. Make it a priority to use one of the recruiting tools that are available, because there are thousands of colleges out there with fantastic soccer programs. Players should also always keep an open mind. If they limit themselves to colleges in only one area, they are limiting the college experience and negotiation power. The more colleges that are interested, the more valuable a player becomes. Join So Cal Rush CAP (College Advisory Program) for more information on college recruitment and College Fit Finder support. Make the soccer college dream a reality!
Written by: Melanie Premo