Introduction
Soccer is the most popular sport among high school boys with more than 450,000 participants, and the fourth most popular among high school girls with over 390,000 participants in the U.S. These numbers, however, dwarf the available athletic scholarships in college soccer. But a lack of scholarship need not spell the end of your college soccer dreams. Walking onto a college soccer team provides an alternative, often rewarding, pathway towards realizing this goal.
Unraveling the Walk-On Pathway
A "walk-on" is a college athlete who earns a spot on the team without an athletic scholarship.
Walk-ons come in three main categories: preferred, recruited, and unrecruited.
- Preferred walk-ons are offered a place on the team without a scholarship.
- Recruited walk-ons have been noticed by coaches but have no scholarship offer; they must compete for a spot on the team.
- Unrecruited walk-ons have not been scouted; these individuals must reach out to the team, arrange a tryout, and compete for a roster spot.
Recognizing the Challenges and Opportunities
Walking on is not a simple task. It can often be more difficult to secure playing time, and walk-ons may sometimes feel sidelined in favor of scholarship players. However, it's important to remember that many walk-ons have turned these challenges into opportunities.
A notable example in soccer is Joe Corona, a former walk-on who went on to become an MLS and US national team player. "The pathway of a walk-on is not an easy one, but it is a testament to resilience and determination," says Bob Bradley, a renowned American soccer coach.
From Walk-On to Scholarship: A Measurable Goal
Starting as a walk-on doesn't mean you can't earn an athletic scholarship in the future. Performance is key. As a walk-on, if you prove your skills, work ethic, and commitment, there's a chance to earn a scholarship. In fact, an NCAA study showed that about 20% of walk-ons eventually earn some form of athletic scholarship.
Making the Walk-On Journey: Tips and Strategies
If you aim to walk on, there are several steps you can take:
Do your research: Research the college's soccer program, coach, team composition, and playing style to ensure it aligns with your skills and aspirations.
Make contact: Reach out to the coach expressing your interest in joining the team. Provide your soccer resume detailing your skills, achievements, and game footage.
Stay in shape: If you get a tryout opportunity, you must be in top physical and technical form to impress the coaches.
Show your commitment: Be prepared to demonstrate your dedication to the team, even if you're not a scholarship athlete.
Conclusion
Starting as a walk-on isn't a compromise but an opportunity—a chance to prove your soccer skills and love for the game. A lack of an athletic scholarship shouldn't discourage you; instead, view it as a challenge to excel and demonstrate your potential. Walking on might be the kickstart you need to shape a rewarding college soccer journey. As Coach Bradley puts it, "Some of the best players I've coached started as walk-ons. It's not how you start, but how you finish that matters."