jhofficial
08-22-2007, 09:11 PM
Soccer scholarships remain rare
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By Jessie H. Nunery
Rocky Mount Telegram
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Rocky Mount High is one of the area's fortunate soccer programs.
Its success on the pitch has been unmatched during the last two seasons. But even more than wins and losses, a few of the Gryphons have a future in the sport at the Division I level. Not every program in the area, or even Eastern North Carolina, can wear that badge of honor.
While Jacksonville and Wilmington contain a tremendous amount of soccer talent, the rest of the region's major college prospects are few and far between. Sure, some players have gone on to play for programs such as Barton and Louisburg, but the exposure to big time schools has been sparse.
Gryphons coach Patrick Sensiba said his team has three Division I recruits (one player currently has five offers) and those players' success come from their commitment.
"Some of it is club soccer, but it's the hard work they're putting in," Sensiba said. "The rest of Eastern North Carolina isn't there yet."
Tarboro coach Leshaun Jenkins coached two dynamic soccer players last season in Victor Arias and Andreas Garcia – both scored 40 or more goals – but neither player was on the radar of ACC schools such as North Carolina or N.C. State.
Jenkins was told during a conversation with an assistant coach at N.C. State, that the Wolfpack recruit exclusively out of the Capital Area Soccer League. Jenkins encouraged Arias, Garcia and teammate Kilder Velasco to play in club leagues in Cary so they could garner some looks.
"A kid may be good, but if they're not in Raleigh, then they go missed," Jenkins said. As an area, we're not where we need to be. As a coach it doesn't matter where you are. You have to take the initiative if you want guys to play at college level."
Southern Nash coach Jeremy Perry said he has a working relationship with college coaches, but understands they often don't have time to come to games during the season, when they could spend their time watching club teams and showcases. Perry said the few standouts the Firebirds have had recently have chosen school over college soccer.
"The rapport is not negative, but it's not necessarily there," Perry said. "It's an issue of you having the kid. They're going to Raleigh and Charlotte to get that kid, as far as D-I colleges anyway."
Rocky Mount has fought the battle by taking part in club teams and making soccer a year-round priority. The Gryphons have also done something Jenkins feels is important – make a deep playoff run and leave recruiters with no choice but to follow. Sensiba hopes this year's recruits are the beginning of a long pipeline to come.
"You've got to have that extra commitment," Sensiba said. "It's getting to where we want it to be."
Jessie H. Nunery can be reached at 407-9951 or jhnunery@coxnc.com
Click-2-Listen
By Jessie H. Nunery
Rocky Mount Telegram
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Rocky Mount High is one of the area's fortunate soccer programs.
Its success on the pitch has been unmatched during the last two seasons. But even more than wins and losses, a few of the Gryphons have a future in the sport at the Division I level. Not every program in the area, or even Eastern North Carolina, can wear that badge of honor.
While Jacksonville and Wilmington contain a tremendous amount of soccer talent, the rest of the region's major college prospects are few and far between. Sure, some players have gone on to play for programs such as Barton and Louisburg, but the exposure to big time schools has been sparse.
Gryphons coach Patrick Sensiba said his team has three Division I recruits (one player currently has five offers) and those players' success come from their commitment.
"Some of it is club soccer, but it's the hard work they're putting in," Sensiba said. "The rest of Eastern North Carolina isn't there yet."
Tarboro coach Leshaun Jenkins coached two dynamic soccer players last season in Victor Arias and Andreas Garcia – both scored 40 or more goals – but neither player was on the radar of ACC schools such as North Carolina or N.C. State.
Jenkins was told during a conversation with an assistant coach at N.C. State, that the Wolfpack recruit exclusively out of the Capital Area Soccer League. Jenkins encouraged Arias, Garcia and teammate Kilder Velasco to play in club leagues in Cary so they could garner some looks.
"A kid may be good, but if they're not in Raleigh, then they go missed," Jenkins said. As an area, we're not where we need to be. As a coach it doesn't matter where you are. You have to take the initiative if you want guys to play at college level."
Southern Nash coach Jeremy Perry said he has a working relationship with college coaches, but understands they often don't have time to come to games during the season, when they could spend their time watching club teams and showcases. Perry said the few standouts the Firebirds have had recently have chosen school over college soccer.
"The rapport is not negative, but it's not necessarily there," Perry said. "It's an issue of you having the kid. They're going to Raleigh and Charlotte to get that kid, as far as D-I colleges anyway."
Rocky Mount has fought the battle by taking part in club teams and making soccer a year-round priority. The Gryphons have also done something Jenkins feels is important – make a deep playoff run and leave recruiters with no choice but to follow. Sensiba hopes this year's recruits are the beginning of a long pipeline to come.
"You've got to have that extra commitment," Sensiba said. "It's getting to where we want it to be."
Jessie H. Nunery can be reached at 407-9951 or jhnunery@coxnc.com