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Reader comment on:
NCAA Soccer a Dead End for MLS Talent
in response to reader comment: College and big time athletics should be mutually exclusive anyway.

Submitted by Michael, Jul 25, 2007 17:10

I was a HS coach for 30 years in 3 different sports. If all I did was try to get kids into professional sports, I would have been a big failure many times over. However, I have seen my athletes go to college, scholarship and non scholarship athletes and become very successful doctors, lawyers, teachers, businessmen, gracery store cashiers,etc. There are only so many professional level athletes out there. Those that have the talent , drive and $$$ are going to get there whether they go to college or not. The big problem is how many kids go to college athletics with promises to become big $$$$ professionals and do not become professionals or college students.

I have a 13 year son who is an avid soccer goalkeeper. He loves the sport and his position. I spend big $$$$ to have him on travel team, particiapte in the Virginia Olympic Development program, and he has a private goalkeeping coach. However, I have no dream of him playing professional soccer. I actually have no dream of him getting a scholarship to a major university. If that happens, FANTASTIC, if that is what he wants.

What I do have is his same passion for being one of the best at his position that he can be at his age. He tells me that he want to be a teacher and a club or HS soccer coach when he gets out of college. What he gets out of his participation in soccer and his second passion basketball is what he puts into it. AS well as it should be.

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.

Other reader comments on this article

Comment By Date

Yeah we're caught in a conundrum. We want our kids to developed their skills, but we also want them to... [MORE]

lee

Aug 26, 2008 15:23

Paul Gardner speaks the truth. I wish it weren't true but it is. One earlier poster suggested the problem is... [MORE]

Jim Compton

Feb 12, 2007 09:28

I do not agree with this article. I believe there is very good soocer being played in the USA. Yes,... [MORE]

Murph

Nov 28, 2006 19:51

It's fine for colleges and universities to offer athletic programs for its students, but when these college programs take on... [MORE]

Ron Rockman

Nov 28, 2006 19:03

I was a HS coach for 30 years in 3 different sports. If all I did was try to get...

Michael

Jul 25, 2007 17:10

Paul Gardner is terrific at finding faults with American soccer but rarely offers solutions or ideas to overcome them. He... [MORE]

Michael

Nov 23, 2006 13:10

Paul's comments are not news to the US soccer fan. I think his focus on the college game is wrong.... [MORE]

Bruce Gowan

Nov 22, 2006 17:51

Criticizing college soccer for its physical style and emphasis on hustle is ridiculous. That is the way Americans play sports... [MORE]

Tony Caplan

Nov 22, 2006 17:38

This is a major and very real let down to anyone who has been dreaming of playing professional soccer. It's... [MORE]

Cassie

Nov 22, 2006 16:32

Great article! [MORE]

Objectivo

Nov 22, 2006 15:59

My son chose to attend college after returning from a year at a pro club in europe while still in... [MORE]

RG

Nov 21, 2006 23:52

Wow, finally someone who agrees that men's college soccer is a waste. I won't repeat what the author of the... [MORE]

Ivan D. Ivanov

Nov 21, 2006 13:37

Nothing was mentioned about the low pay that mls provides. I believe that also prevents many younger players to commit... [MORE]

a fan

Nov 21, 2006 20:47

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