Liverpool's College Athlete Placement (CAP) Program
The Real "Truth" About College Programs
Who is it for?
What does it mean to me?
When does it start?
Where Can I find it?
Why is it important?
How do I get involved?
Do we need to do anything?
Have you ever wondered why people involved in soccer talk so much about “college scholarships” when their players are academy age? Or what it actually means to have a “full ride” to the college of your choice? Have you ever heard parents on the sideline talking about “being on the right team so that my player has a chance to play in college?”
All of the questions mentioned above are worthy questions, and each parent who has been through the process knows it can be a daunting task to weed through the urban truths from the urban fairy tales in club soccer.
At Liverpool FC America we believe that our core principles; A club of character, the constant turn towards quality and the club based in history and tradition guide all that we do for our athletes. These guiding core principles have given us the courage to stand up in a market and tell coaches, athletes and parents the absolute “urban truth” that our college program is designed to not only answer the questions, but give a great foundation, map out the plan and help players succeed in making smart choices for themselves. Players and parents don’t need the “urban fairy tales” or magic hype behind the ‘perfect team’, ‘perfect leagu’e or ‘magical status’ that will somehow guarantee them a spot on a team. Parents are smart. They simply need the facts and the respect they deserve to make great decisions for their players. The urban truth is that there is no magic wand or promise that can make magical college scholarships appear. However, like with everything in life, careful planning, dedication and understanding, parents and players sit squarely in the driver’s seat when it comes to success in finding a college for your child.
WE BELIEVE IN THE TRUTH BEHIND FINDING A GREAT COLLEGE. IT BEGINS WITH THE ATHLETE, INCLUDES THE CLUB, THE COACH AND THE PARENT WORKING TOGETHER REMAINING TRUE TO THE ATHLETE’S DREAM AND FINDING GREAT OPPORTUNITIES TOGETHER. THE PROGRAM IS CENTERED ON THE BELIEF THAT ALL ATHLETES CAN ACHIEVE A HIGHER EDUCATION WITH HARD WORK, DEDICATION AND PERSEVERANCE. LIVERPOOL FC AMERICA IS COMMITTED TO BEING A PART OF THE PROCESS, EVERY STEP OF THE WAY
Let’s start with the questions from the beginning….. Want to know the truth about college programs? Then read below and hold on to your hats, some of the answers might surprise you….
“Who is it for?” The Liverpool College Athlete Placement (CAP) Program is for all of our players from 8th grade through senior in high school. The CAP program dovetails nicely with the high school years marking milestones and “gates” through which each athlete must pass to stay on track to success. “College Workshops” for 8th graders and freshman reinforce the academic requirements to qualify for college acceptance, and requiring all eligible players to register with the NCAA Clearinghouse as juniors are small check-offs for players and parents. It is a five year process, and milestones are the program’s way of monitoring how successful that player will be in their college acceptance.
“What does it mean to me?” Simply stated…. It means your club is working hard to provide you and your athlete answers, resources and sometimes even the tough questions you need to ask yourself along the way. It is not easy to navigate college soccer. Coaches, clubs, parents and players all have a part of have the responsibility to lead the way and help each athlete achieve their dreams. Liverpool takes that responsibility seriously.
When does it start? The CAP program begins the minute an athlete steps foot on a pitch in a Liverpool uniform. From academy to U-19 we are working to change, adapt and grow the program constantly to better serve the families of Liverpool. A few specifics:
Academy Age- U-19
- · Players are encouraged to participate in our college nights at TCU and SMU each year.
- · Players of all ages are encouraged to attend our COLLEGE NIGHT PRESENTATION in October of each year to learn about the upcoming process of college soccer.
8th Grade- High School
- · Players start participating in the program at age 14 or in the 8th with one of our college workshops- 2 hour program introducing the process
- · College Profiles and Brochures- Professionally designed brochures and profiles designed to highlight the athlete’s accomplishments and most recent scores, grades and accomplishments
- · Player Marketing Strategies- Writing letters, making decisions, creating opportunities- These strategies work and are part of the team plan for success
- · Academic and Athletic Blueprints for every player- Keeping track of their progress
- · POD Counselors- People working as points of contact for every year of the program. These key points of contact help guide families through each year of high school and the athletic milestones throughout each year
- · College ID Clinic- Held in May, this clinic is critical to college coaches getting to see our athletes. The two day event includes college coaches working with the athletes, talking to the athletes and helping them to understand what is expected of them for a successful college career.
- · Coaching Education- Our coaches are the primary advocate for your child. We are working intimately with the coaches helping them to understand the importance of their role in your athlete’s success. Communication, marketing, researching and placing athletes in the best possible situations to succeed is one of the most important aspects of the “truth” about college soccer. We help our coaches do a better job through structure, requirements and evaluations.
Where can I find it? Only at Liverpool FC America will you find the original CAP program. Started in 2009, with one team, we have grown and developed a model that works not based on a specific league or level, but instead, based on what works for the players individually. The College Program is part of Liverpool FC America. Details of the program are constantly updated on the webpage. The college program includes
- · Marketing materials including the profiles, athletic blueprints, brochures…etc.
- · Academic support- academic standards and blueprints for every player
- · Player evaluations- the coach and player and parent review these twice per year
- · College ID Clinic- May 29 and 30 here in the Dallas Area (exciting information coming soon)
- · POD Counselors- The point person for each grade level- On our website April 1st
- · Pod NEWSLETTERS help keep you on track- These give reminders, deadlines, information specific to your child and their stage of the process.
- · College Presentation Night- Each October
- · Sports Source E-College Learning Lab- Vast web-based information for statistics and information about colleges and universities across the US- $75.00 fee for access
- · TCU and SMU nights each October- Liverpool purchases the tickets for players and families to attend these college games each year
- · Workshop I- 8th /9th grade- introduction to the college program and process
- · Workshop II- 9th /10th grade- addressing the needs team by team
- · Workshop III- 11th / 12th grade- making decisions
Why is it important? The program is important because it acts like a map helping you to reach your destination. Ever try to reach a place you have never been to without a map? Most of the time will be spent just driving around hoping to find it results in frustration, loss of time and the high expense of gas….. Those are the urban fairy tales that say… “Don’t worry, just keep telling people you are on the right or “special” road, and we promise you will get there.” It feels much better to know and understand the road ahead, feel in control and be sure of where you and your player are going…. That is the real truth That is why the CAP program is important to you and your child. Becoming a part of the process makes sense. Parents in the CAP program have a very important role and work side by side with the club and the coach to make sure all requirements are met and that the player is on track for success.
How do I get involved? Starting in April of 2013, a College Program POD Counselor will contact all of our High School teams and introduce themselves to you and to the college program. They will coordinate with you to start working through those milestones or “gates” that your athlete is working through and will help you understand what is ahead for the 2013-2014 soccer year. That college POD Counselor will be your point of contact, along with your coach for the upcoming soccer year. When you have questions, need help or have a problem, you will contact that POD counselor and they will assist you.
Is it for everyone? Absolutely yes! At Liverpool FC America, we believe that EVERY athlete has the opportunity to attend college if they would like to. It may take more work and more time, but we believe they can achieve a college education.
All Liverpool teams from our 99’s through our 95 teams should be a part of our College Athlete Placement CAP Program right now. If you are not familiar with it, if your team is not a part of it yet and have not done a workshop with the Director of the College program, call your coach today and request a workshop. If your player has not yet completed a player profile online, contact us and let us help you get started. We are here to help and to work with you through the whole five year process and we want to be a part of it.
Watch for more information each week about the
