In Today’s Edition

Welcome to our exciting new blog series on college recruitment! Whether you're just beginning your journey or are already deep into the process, this series is designed with you in mind. We'll delve into crucial topics like crafting an impressive highlight video, developing a strategic college list, and mastering the art of securing scholarships. Regardless of where you stand, our series is filled with essential tips and guidance to propel you towards success. Join us every week as we equip you with the insights and tools necessary to confidently navigate the recruitment landscape. 

• ID Clinics Demystified: Kickstart Your Journey to College Soccer Success!

• Maximize Your Exposure to College Coaches with Our Ultimate Branding Package!

• Ohio State to begin direct payments to student athletes in 2025, pending settlement!

ID Clinics Demystified: Everything You Need to Know About ID Camps!

The college soccer recruiting process can feel overwhelming, especially with the crowded landscape making it nearly impossible for coaches to scout every player they’d like to at showcases. That’s where ID camps step in as a crucial part of your recruiting strategy. But with travel expenses, camp fees, and the variety of ID camps available, it’s essential to choose the right ones. The last thing you want is to waste your time and money.

Here’s a breakdown of what to consider when deciding which ID camps to attend, so you can maximize your opportunities.

Multi-School ID Clinics vs. Single College Program ID Clinics

When it comes to clinics, single-college program ID Clinics often stand out. These camps are typically held on-campus, operated by the school’s coaching staff, and focused solely on that program. Ask yourself this—why would a program want to “share” top recruits with other colleges by hosting a multi-school camp? Chances are, they wouldn’t.

However, there are some exceptions to this. Occasionally, a college might invite one guest coach from another nearby school they have a strong relationship with. Typically, these partnerships involve programs at different competitive levels, like a D1 Power 5 school pairing with a D1 Mid-Major or even a D2 school. While this setup might help players who are better suited for a slightly lower level, it usually doesn’t impact the quality of the camp itself.

The real distinction comes when comparing these limited guest appearances to large-scale multi-school ID camps. The latter often lacks the individualized attention and recruiting power of a single-college camp, making them less impactful overall.

The Challenges with Multi-School ID Camps

Multi-school ID camps can sound appealing—more schools, more opportunities, right? Unfortunately, that isn’t always the reality. There are some common issues that can make these camps less effective for serious recruits:

• Unreliable Coach Attendance
  It’s not uncommon for college coach attendance lists to be outdated or inaccurate. Some coaches listed may not show up, and others might not have attended in years. When in doubt, confirm a coach’s attendance by reaching out directly to the college staff rather than relying on the camp organizers.

• Lower-Level Staff Representation
  Even when coaches from a particular program attend, it’s often the youngest or least experienced assistant coach. These individuals typically don’t have much authority when it comes to recruiting decisions, which limits the camp’s impact.

• High Player-to-Coach Ratios
  The main goal of many multi-school ID camps is to pack in as many recruits as possible. Even with several college reps on hand, the coach-to-player ratio tends to be very high, which minimizes individualized evaluations.

For those on a D2 or D3 path, multi-school camps can be more beneficial since they are usually smaller and staffed by decision-makers. But for D1 prospects, single-college ID camps are often the better choice.

Know that College ID Camps are Money-Makers for Schools

Here’s an eye-opening truth about ID camps—they’re also a lucrative business for schools. This doesn’t mean they aren’t valuable, but it does mean you need to set realistic expectations for yourself.

Getting invited to an ID camp doesn’t necessarily mean a school is seriously interested in you as a recruit. Some invitations are generic and designed to fill spots at camps for profit. To manage your resources wisely, ask your club and high school coaches for honest feedback about your level of play and the kinds of schools you should aim for. Knowing whether a camp is genuinely interested in you or sees you as a paying camper is important.

Determining whether your invitation feels personalized or generic can help you decide if the camp is worth your time. Be discerning about offers that come your way.

What to Expect in Terms of Feedback

Feedback after an ID camp can be a mixed bag. Some coaching staffs do an excellent job of providing meaningful input, but the reality is that only the top 5–8 players at most camps will receive direct attention. Why? College coaches are swamped year-round, and providing individual feedback for every attendee just isn’t realistic.

Some programs are upfront about this, telling attendees not to expect feedback unless they are actively being recruited. Others might promise future feedback but don’t consistently deliver. If getting clear feedback is important to you, focus on smaller camps or reach out beforehand to inquire about the size of the event. Many top-tier ID camps cap attendance at 40–60 players, which boosts your odds of receiving meaningful evaluations.

Reach Out to Coaches Beforehand

Don’t assume that simply paying to attend a camp will put you on a coach’s radar, especially at the larger camps. To stand out, reach out to coaches beforehand. Send them an email that includes your recruiting video and ask about their level of interest in you as a player.

If a coach responds positively, not only does it indicate interest, but it also makes them much more likely to pay attention to you during the camp. This proactive step can help you maximize your camp experience and stand out in the crowd.

If you aren’t sure how to create an effective recruiting video, check out helpful resources to guide you through the process. A strong video can make all the difference.

One-Day vs. Two-Day ID Camps

Another factor to weigh is whether to attend a one-day or two-day camp. Both options have pros and cons.

Attending both days of a camp gives you more time to stand out, build connections with the coaching staff, and showcase your skills in different scenarios. This extra face time can make a huge impression, especially if you’re aiming for an offer from that program. But attending both days can also be a strain on your time and budget.

Coaches understand that not all recruits can afford to attend two full days, and they won’t hold it against you. However, if you are certain a program has serious interest in you, committing to both days could give you the edge you need to seal the deal.

Research, Research, Research

Time and resources are limited, especially if you’re juggling a demanding club and high school soccer schedule. Make sure you research potential schools thoroughly before committing to a camp. You don’t want to waste a weekend at a camp for a school that doesn’t match your academic, personal, or athletic goals.

Key things to look at include academic rigor, scholarship opportunities, and the style and quality of the soccer program. Considering these factors will help ensure the camps you choose to attend are worthwhile.

Make a Schedule

ID camps often happen around the same time of year, and between your team’s schedule and other commitments, it’s important to plan ahead. Prioritize the camps at schools that align most closely with your goals.

Creating a detailed schedule can help you stay on track while making the most of your recruiting opportunities.

Final Tip

Remember, ID camps are often the final step before a program makes recruiting decisions. If you’re sure a college is genuinely interested in you, attending their ID camp late in your recruiting process is a smart move to help secure your spot and, potentially, a scholarship offer.

Be strategic, do your homework, and focus on the camps that align with your goals. The right ID camp could be the key to opening doors for your soccer future!

Maximize Your Exposure to College Coaches with Our Ultimate Branding Package!

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In the competitive world of college soccer recruitment, it's not just about how talented you are—it’s about ensuring the right coaches recognize your talent. If you've been striving to catch the attention of college coaches, we have the perfect solution for you.

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• Social Media Spotlight: Be featured as one of our top prospects on our vibrant social media platforms, including X, Instagram, and Facebook. Let your skills shine where coaches are actively searching for talent.

• YouTube Video Promotion: Your highlight video will be added to our YouTube channel, providing you with a dynamic platform to showcase your skills and attract attention from a wider audience.

• Weekly Email Blast: Gain direct visibility with our weekly email blast sent to every college D1 and D2 coach in the Northeast region, from the Canadian border down to Maryland. If you're interested, we can extend this reach to coaches in Florida as well.

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Ready to Take the Next Step?

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Ohio State to begin direct payments to student athletes in 2025, pending settlement!

Key points 

1. Direct Payments to Athletes: Ohio State will begin direct payments to student athletes starting July 1, following a $2.78 billion settlement in the House vs. NCAA lawsuits.

2. Changes in Scholarships and Roster Limits: The settlement will lead to significant changes in Ohio State's athletics program, including replacing scholarship limits with roster limits. (28 for soccer) This will result in the addition of 91 scholarships but a reduction of 150 student athletes.

Here’s the full article:

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Athletic director Ross Bjork said Ohio State will begin direct payments to student athletes starting July 1.

The announcement follows a preliminary settlement agreement in a collection of Name Image and Likeness lawsuits known as House vs. NCAA. The $2.78 billion settlement clears the way for universities to pay students directly, and Bjork said final court approval is predicted to come in April.

Direct payments would be approved through “revenue sharing,” a new compensation model that would allow universities to share up to 22% of the athletic department revenue with varsity athletes. Bjork said these payments for men’s and women’s athletes are expected to exceed $20 million annually, increasing each year by at least 4%.

Bjork said Ohio State is in favor of the settlement, and if it is approved, it will lead to several significant changes for the athletics program. Along with direct NIL payments for athletes, the NCAA will replace scholarship limits for each sport with roster limits. In doing so, Ohio State varsity athletics will add 91 scholarships, but decrease its student athlete population by 150 students. Bjork said aid for individual students is also expected to increase for most sports.

At an Athletics Committee meeting on Monday, Bjork reiterated a message from Ohio State President Ted Carter pledging a commitment to maintaining 36 scholarship varsity sports. In October, concerns circulated about men’s gymnastics losing its scholarships, but Bjork and Carter have affirmed they will maintain its scholarships across varsity sports.

The NIL settlement will require Ohio State and other NCAA schools to make adjustments in their athletic funding. The change requires a chunk of Ohio State’s athletic budget to fund these NIL payments, and the university is also caught up in back pay lawsuits for former Buckeye athletes who said the university profited off their NIL. Ohio State is also among the only self-sufficient collegiate athletic programs in the nation.

Your Go-To Websites/Social Media Leaders

• RPI - Check out the Women's College Soccer RPI by clicking this link.

• RPI - Check out the Men's College Soccer RPI by clicking this link.

• NCAA Eligibility Center - Click Here 

• United Soccer Coaches - Awards and Rankings 

• Twitter/X - @Imyouthsoccer

• Twitter/X - @ImCollegesoccer

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About: Steve Coxon College Soccer Network

Steve has 20 years of college-level experience, 17+ years in D1 as the Head Recruiter. He has facilitated more than $30 million in college scholarships.

Location - Connecticut, USA