By Lisa Meyers
Every college soccer coach has a specific number of scholarships available each year, as well as a specific number of roster spots they need to fill. The number of scholarships and the number of roster spots do not always match up, in fact, in most cases these numbers are very different. For example, a Division I men's soccer coach with a fully funded program has 9.9 athletic scholarships available. The average college soccer team carries more than twice this number, so even if a coach divides up his scholarship money, there will likely be some players on his team who do not receive any financial assistance in the form of an athletic scholarship.
If a coach invites you to play for his team, without the guarantee of an athletic scholarship your freshman year, this means you would technically be a walk-on. Walk-ons range from prospects that show up to training camp unannounced, to those who have been legitimately recruited by the coach. Attempting to walk-on to a college soccer team without being in close contact with the coach is very risky. Even if you are better than some of the other players, if the coach has invested time and money in those players, he/she is obligated to give them preferential treatment. It is in your best interest to find out where you stand with the coach well in advance.
Before you commit to a college or university, ask the coach if you will be guaranteed a roster spot. If so, you are considered a preferred walk-on. There are several other questions to ask so you know exactly where you stand.
- Is there potential for you to earn a scholarship in the future? If so, what will this be based on and can the coach put it in writing?
- Will you have access to the academic support systems available for scholarship athletes, such as tutors, preferential course registration, computer lab access, etc?
- Will you receive the same equipment and clothing as scholarship athletes?
- Do you report to campus at the same time as scholarship athletes?
Many student-athletes determine that walking-on is the best opportunity for them. If you are in this situation, make sure you know all the facts before you arrive on campus. This is your collegiate future and you owe it to yourself to be informed about exactly where you stand. By being armed with this information you will put yourself in the very best position to be successful.
