College Recruiting Resources
This is probably the reason many of you are here. I handle all areas of the recruiting process personally and offer case-by-case insight as to the best way to approach college coaches. I have several connections within the college game and will do my absolute best to help you get to where you want to go.
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Michael Stone
Step Ahead Development Program
Boca Raton, Florida 33428
My Recruiting Philosophy
Make a Life Decision, Not Just a Soccer One
It is easy to get caught up in the thrill of college soccer, but soccer is not the only reason you are going to college. It is important to think about many factors in your decision as you look to find a school that you are going to be happy at, one that you will be proud to say you attend.
The Factors
Academic
The first piece of the puzzle is finding a school that will be a good fit for you academically. Does this school have your major? Are you going to get the level of education that you are looking for? How much do you value education? All questions to consider.
I have built a spreadsheet with 500+ schools that have college soccer at all levels (DI, DII, DIII, NAIA, JUCO). I have compiled general / academic information for all 500+, and I can add any schools you may be interested in that are not yet on the list. You will only get access to this list when we begin working together.
Sample List
DI College Soccer in Florida
School | Average ACT | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
Florida Atlantic University | 22-26 | Boca Raton, Florida | Public |
Florida Gulf Coast University | 21-25 | Fort Myers, Florida | Public |
Florida International University | 23-28 | Miami, Florida | Public |
Jacksonville University | 20-25 | Jacksonville, Florida | Private |
Stetson University | 23-29 | Deland, Florida | Private |
University of Central Florida | 25-30 | Orlando, Florida | Public |
University of North Florida | 20-25 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public |
University of South Florida | 25-29 | Tampa, Florida | Public |
The Factors
Athletic
The second piece of the puzzle is asking honest questions about whether or not this school would be a good fit for you from an athletic standpoint. Do you fit the athletic profile of the school you are interested in? What is this school looking for in a prospective player? Does this school graduate key players in your position? Does this conference fit you style of play? How much do you value playing?
In my spreadsheet, I have also included information regarding conference type, team news, and position overviews. I work with a lot of goalkeepers, so this is especially important as many schools only carry 3-4 GKs per roster and bring in one, maybe two per year. It is important to understand how competitive it is to play college. DI schools are bring in the top talent in the country in addition to many international recruits. DIIs and DIIIs are similarly very competitive!
Sample List
DI College Soccer in Florida
School | Conference | GK Rostered | GK Situation |
|---|---|---|---|
Florida Atlantic University | American Athletic Conference | Gr, Gr, Sr, Fr | Grad student starter, only one returning GK on roster |
Florida Gulf Coast University | ASUN | R-So, Fr, R-So, Sr | R-So for 15 games and Sr for two |
Florida International University | American Athletic Conference | Fr, Gr, Sr, So | Starter transfer, #2 graduated. Have good 6th year |
Jacksonville University | ASUN | R-So, Fr, R-Sr, Fr | R-So for 10 games and Fr for 5. Young GK core |
Stetson University | ASUN | R-Jr, Fr, R-Fr, Fr | Starter been there a while; freshmen got 3 games in |
University of Central Florida | American Athletic Conference | Fr, R-So, R-Sr, Fr | Freshman got almost all minutes. International from Spain |
University of North Florida | ASUN | 6th, Jr, R-So, Fr | 6th year and grad student split time |
University of South Florida | American Athletic Conference | R-Sr, So, Fr | Graduating a 5th year starter and one coming back from injury. |
Personal
The third piece involves asking questions that relate to your personal situation. Have I had communication with the coach? Is the coach interested? Do they have scholarship money? Can I afford the school without a scholarship? Do I need to attend the ID Camp? What else makes this school more or less appealing? Again, questions to ask.
The spreadsheet pictured to the right is a template, and I completely made up the recruiting scenarios to provide an idea of what we will be filling in when there is news to update. ID Camps are a big part of the recruiting process, especially for schools that have not yet been able to see you play. Managing ID Camps in a financially responsible way is a very important part of the recruiting process and one that I work very closely with to ensure your money is well spent.
Sample List
DI College Soccer in Florida
School | Recruiting Updates | ID Camp Info | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Florida Atlantic University | Sent email; haven't heard back | 5/6; 6/17; 7/22 | Close to home |
Florida Gulf Coast University | Don't need a GK | 6/3; 7/24-7/27 | Beach on campus |
Florida International University | Started a freshman | 6/10-6/11; 7/29-7/30 | Close to Miami |
Jacksonville University | Committed to one in my class | 7/2; 7/16 | Private University |
Stetson University | Interested, attending ID Camp | 7/7-7/8; 8/5-8/6 | Small campus |
University of Central Florida | Not bringing in a GK | 6/17-6/18; 7/22-7/23 | Have family in Orlando |
University of North Florida | Interested, but can't go to ID Camp | 6/3-6/4; 7/8-7/9 | Located in Jacksonville |
University of South Florida | Will see me play next week | 7/8-7/9 | Very large campus |
Social
The final piece of the puzzle involves finding a place that will provide you with the college experience you are looking for. What are you looking for? Do you connect well with the coach and the team? Do you feel safe on campus? Do you like the community? Are you going to enjoy your time as a student? Do you see yourself happy there?
There are several elements that go into social life, and if you are serious about pursuing college soccer, that is the thing that will occupy most of your time, energy, and effort. You will not have the same experience as many of your non-athlete friends. You need to be honest with yourself what you are looking for so that you give yourself the opportunity to do well and be happy wherever you decide to go.
Sample List
DI College Soccer in Florida
School | Contact Info - HC | Contact Info - AC | Contact Info - AC |
|---|---|---|---|
Florida Atlantic University | Head Coach - Joey Worthen. worthenj@fau.edu | Assistant Coach - Tom Harman. harmant@fau.edu | Assistant Coach - Keelan Power. Fau_powerk@fau.edu |
Florida Gulf Coast University | Head Coach - Jesse Cormier. (239) 590-7668. jcormier@fgcu.edu | Associate Head Coach - Sheldon Cipriani. (239) 590-7668. scipriani@fgcu.edu | Assistant Coach - pethomas@fgcu.edu |
Florida International University | Head Coach - Kyle Russell. krussell@fiu.edu | Associate Head Coach - dmerida@fiu.edu | Assistant Coach - Lucas Champenois. lchampen@fiu.edu |
Jacksonville University | Acting Head Coach - Thomas Buckner. (904) 725-7420. tbuckne@ju.edu | Graduate Assistant - Nicklas Rulle. (904) 256-7420. nrulle@ju.edu | N/A |
Stetson University | Head Coach - Emmett Rutkowski. (386) 822-8123. erutkowski@stetson.edu | Assistant Coach - Jamie Ibarra. (386) 822-7014. jibarraperez@stetson.edu | Assistant Coach - Eduardo Jimenez. efjimenez@stetson.edu |
University of Central Florida | Head Coach - Scott Calabrese. soccer@athletics.ucf.edu | Associate Head Coach - Paul Souders. (407) 823-4744. soccer@athletics.ucf.edu | Assistant Coach - Jamie Davies. (404) 852-4651. jdavies@athletics.ucf.edu |
University of North Florida | Head Coach - Derek Marinatos. (904) 620-2948. derek.marinatos@unf.edu | Associate Head Coach - Clayton Zelin. clayton.zelin@unf.edu | Assistant Coach - Jacob Weinshank. Jacob.weinshank@unf.edu |
University of South Florida | Head Coach - Bob Butehorn. (813) 974-4149. msoccer@usf.edu | Assistant Coach - Armante' Marshall. (813) 974-8775. amarsha3@usf.edu | Assistant Coach - William Chiles. (813) 974-3775. chilesw@usf.edu |