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ENHANCEMENT PLANS | College-Bound Player Information Seminars
By Pat Grecco
The College-Bound Player Workshop is a program that offers on-site help to clubs and teams involved with the college search process. At the request of Susan Allers, Administrator for the Long Island Olympic Development Program, we gave an information seminar to Long Island ODP Members. An information packet was distributed and auditorium was packed with players and their parents. The College Workshop Team spoke about NCAA Clearinghouse Rules and Regulations, as well academic issues, SAT changes, the role of the parent in the college search process, and where, when and how's of the college search process. Joining John Morris, Bill, Roller and myself, was Mike Maire, former ODP Player, a collegiate standout at Virginia Military Institute, currently working as Assistant Coach at Saint Joseph's College in Patchogue. Col. James Banz, USAF (Ret.) spoke about the benefits of Federal Academies/ROTC Scholarships and finding money at D-III Programs. A very productive Q & A Session followed.
At the request of Joe Lee, Club Coach for the Sachem Soccer Club, the C.B.P. Workshop Team journeyed to Sachem High School and made a presentation to student-athletes. Sue Ryan, Head Coach, Women's Soccer at Stony Brook University and Region I Head Coach joined the workshop. Coach Ryan, regarding scholarships, offered an excellent Power Point Presentation on the financial nuts and bolts of the college search process. Sue Ryan explains the "nuts and bolts"
The C.B.P. Workshop offers about 6-8 workshops per year to the member clubs of the Long Island Junior Soccer League on a first come, first serve basis. In March, during the LIJSL Convention, we invite every 11th grader to a College Forum. Every student-athlete receives an information packet. Parents are also invited to attend. The forum consists of College Soccer Coaches representing D-I, D-II, D-III, NJCAA, and Federal Service Academies. We always invite a student-athlete who has just completed his or her search. Bill Roller runs the convention workshop and does a fabulous job. I'm on board to speak as "The Original Soccer Mom" and about the parents' role in the college search process.
I have given workshops twice in Virginia for Beach F.C., in New Jersey for Jersey United. I have also traveled to Saratoga, NY for the Shenandoah Invitational Tournament, where the workshop was held outdoors, in a picnic grove. I did that one with Ken Banda, Women's Soccer Coach at University of Albany. I also offered a workshop at a Connecticut summer camp, at the Varsity Week, as well as a few camps here on Long Island. A few local High Schools also invited us to do a comprehensive workshop not only for their Soccer Players but also for all Varsity Athletes, such as one at Kings Parks High School.
There is never a charge or a fee, though I usually ask for a small amount per student in attendance to cover printing and publication costs.
I am currently working on a Spanish Speaking College Workshop at the invitation of Brentwood S.C. here on Long Island. We hope translate our hand out materials into Spanish and have Spanish speaking parents, coaches and student-athletes contribute.
In the twenty-five years that I have been working with the college-bound players, I've given workshops on the soccer field, in the bleachers, public library rooms, school libraries, cafeterias, auditoriums. Individual teams have invited the workshop and hold their programs in homes. Pat offers assurance that there is
The LIJSL is very committed to helping the student-athletes in our program find their way to collegiate ranks and continue playing Soccer. Yes, there is a place for everyone to study and to play Soccer. As an individual, I am also very committed to helping the student athlete who wishes to play at the collegiate level.
Ralph Willard, currently the Head Coach of Basketball at College of the Holy Cross once said, "Pat, anyone can get his top three players identified for college play but it really takes a dedicated coach to find opportunities for his bottom three players."
If you are interested in the C.B.P Workshop, contact me at 631 754-0026 or e-mail: .
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