LIJSL and Eastern New York Hall of Famer Pat Grecco
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
October 8, 2015-Pat Grecco has been helping student/athletes from the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and even across the United States and the world find the college of their dreams for over a generation. The LIJSL and Eastern New York Hall of Famer offers these tips for the college search process:
Sophomores and juniors, identify the colleges that have what you like; for example, your major, distance from home, your sport, size of school and social environment.
Do research on the schools and by senior year have your list down to about 6-8 schools where you will apply. Visit the schools, speak with the coaches, players, see a game or attend camp there.
Don’t focus on one school, have lots of options.
You will need to know:
1. Does the coach want me on the team, has coach seen me play?
2. Will I make the team and be offered a roster spot?
3. Is the position I play available on that team?
4. Can my family afford this school if I don't get any athletic, academic or financial aid
5. If you don't have a highlight video, get one as soon as possible!
Create a pipeline between your house and the office of the coach, e-mail the coach frequently and be sure to attach your updated Athletic-Academic Profile and drop in your video link. Be sure the video link is easily accessible to the coach, put in on You Tube, make it a one click stop for the coach. No group e-mails ever and be sure your video is updated with your current team, not your squad from the 9th Grade.
Let the coach know why you selected his or her school, i.e. academics, athletics, coaching style, demographics, social environment.
When you have reached your magic number of 6-8 schools, have your coaching references get in touch with the college coaches.
Keep your grades up and retake SAT/ACT. College coaches are looking for student/athletes with good grades. Better grades get more attention and can get you academic money.
Final thought, ask yourself this question, “If I could never play my sport again, would I still want to go to this college/university?”
To contact Pat with any questions, please e-mail her at soccervol@aol.com
With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 11 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Special Children. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.