Youth Soccer Myths

1. Youth Soccer Myths Presented by: John Murphy CYSA Chairman of the Board chairman@cysanorth.org Youth Soccer Myths

2. Youth Soccer Myths A “myth” is a popular belief that has grown up around something Or Something that has an unverifiable existence George Washington & the Cherry Tree Youth Soccer Myths

3. Problems with Myths Maybe strongly held emotionally based beliefs Often partially true with part that is true extrapolated to extreme and unwarranted conclusions Often involve false syllogisms Youth Soccer Myths

4. Discussing can be dangerous because of the emotionalism that may have attached • “There is nothing more horrible than the murder of a beautiful theory by a brutal gang of facts” • Why discuss? • Reality will not go away and eventually will prevail • Information enables people to make better decisions Youth Soccer Myths

5. Scholarships • Good news is they really do exist!!! • Problems • No where near as available as what people are led to believe • A lot of hype from various quarters about them • Great Marketing Tool for some Youth Soccer Myths

6. Some Information Regarding a. The numbers • 1. 500,000 high school soccer players • 2. 150,000 seniors • 3. 15,000 roster positions • 4. 5% of roster positions receive any assistance b. Translates to approximately 750 scholarships Youth Soccer Myths

7. Applied to CYSA • Approximately 8,900 17 and 18 year old players in 2005 • 750 scholarships means is 8.5% of CYSA players in these age groups Youth Soccer Myths

8. But CYSA players are only part of the “pool” competing for scholarships • CYSA has approximately 7.5% of United States Youth Soccer (USYS) registered players • Estimate USYS 120,000 players in same age groups • Approximately 6% could get scholarships • CYSA is 7.5% of the 6% • USYS not only source of players in pool • Very, very few are “full ride” Youth Soccer Myths

9. October 2005, San Francisco Chronicle Feature Article on “the myth of the full ride” • “Folks, you might want to take a seat in one of those well-used lawn chairs and listen up: Your kid has a better shot at a perfect SAT score.” Youth Soccer Myths

10. Bay Area Division I Schools • MEN (9.9 scholarships a team of 24-26 players & 5 places per year) Total 161 total Full 7 Partial* 107 (can be $400 - $500) None 47 SchoolTotalFullPartialWalk-ons • Cal 27 0 27 0 • St. Mary’s 26 0 16-18 8-10 • USF 30 2 24 4 • San Jose State 25 2 12 11 • Santa Clara 28 3 20 5 • Stanford 25 0 15-20 5-10 Youth Soccer Myths

11. Bay Area Division I Schools • Women (12 scholarships per team) Total 138 Full 9 Partial* 101 (can be $400-$500) None 28 SchoolTotalFullPartialWalk-ons • Cal 31 0 30 1 • St. Mary’s 21 NA NA NA • USF 27 1-3 16-18 8 • San Jose State 30 0 25 5 • Santa Clara 26 2 16 8 • Stanford 24 2 16 6 Youth Soccer Myths

12. Academics Count • If player does not meet school’s academic requirements it does not matter how good of soccer player they are • Problem of players shunning difficult courses to • Satisfy demands of travel and competitive soccer • Keep high grade point average Youth Soccer Myths

13. “For some kids and parents, the scholarship is the final payoff. If you look at it as the payoff for the investment you’ve made on youth soccer – all the trips, the hotels, the club fees, the equipment – that’s the wrong approach. The payoff is to have a healthy, happy, well-rounded child. If there’s a scholarship, let that be the icing on the cake.” • Santa Clara Women’s Coach Jerry Smith, quoted in San Francisco Chronicle October 30, 2005 Youth Soccer Myths