"I moved my daughter to an elite team to improve her chances of getting a college athletic scholarship." Parent of a 9-year-old player
"I know a player who got a full ride -- everything covered for four years." Parent
"I really love soccer, but I’d rather be a student than a student-athlete." EBHS senior soccer player
 
Most parents of travel soccer players will admit to having the dream of their child earning a college athletic scholarship and thus easing the significant financial burden of a college education. But what are the chances of getting a soccer scholarship? What do collegiate coaches even look for? What is the recruiting process like? How much scholarship money is available? And how do real student-athletes balance sports and academics and still have time to experience everything that college has to offer?
 
These are just a few of the questions that will be addressed when EBSC hosts a unique seminar, "Myths and Facts on Collegiate Soccer and Soccer Scholarships," on Monday, June 8 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. in the cafeteria at Hammarskjold Middle School. All EBSC parents and coaches are encouraged to attend the free seminar. EBSC players, ages U14 and up, may also attend.
 
The program will be led by EBSC president Ron Brandsdorfer, who will also present the parent’s perspective as the father of a Division 1 soccer player. Joining him on the panel will be Rutgers University women’s coach Glenn Crooks, Rider University assistant men’s coach Julian Richens, Ithaca College player Alyssa Sotomayor and Temple University player Evan Brandsdorfer.
 
The seminar will cover the following:  
1. Introduction -- the facts and figures (the collegiate soccer landscape, differences between Divisions 1-3, number of scholarships available, amount of available money, National Letters of Intent, etc.)
2. The coach’s perspective -- how coaches recruit, where they see players, what they look for, do’s and don’ts in reaching out to college coaches, etc.
3. The player’s perspective -- what it’s like to be a collegiate athlete (time involved, commitment, ups and downs, balancing athletics and academics, etc.)
4. The parent’s perspective -- the recruiting process, including positive and negative experiences with coaches, money myths, keeping things in perspective, etc.
5. Q&A
 
"I regularly hear parents at the fields, in and outside of East Brunswick, talk about collegiate soccer, but they often lack the first-hand experiences," Ron Brandsdorfer said. "As a result, there are a lot of myths that get perpetuated and a lot of pressure put on young players that is not good for their development. We’re hoping that parents, youth coaches and players alike leave this seminar with some better insights into the entire process."
 
"This is a great panel," he added. "Coach Crooks heads up one of the top Division 1 women’s programs in the country, while Coach Richens is the top recruiter at Rider. And our two players will talk about their personal experiences on and off the pitch."
 
Further information is available by emailing ebsoccer1@gmail.com.