From Maryland - County soccer players leave Academy programs

High School Or Academy

"May I borrow a tie, dad?"

"Sure, you are wearing a tie to school this morning, son?"

"Yes, dad. And oh, can I wear your nice white starched shirt, please this morning?"

"Where are all your dress shirts?"

"They are too tight around the shoulders."

"So is it picture day, or what? Why are you dressing up so sharp this morning?"

"No, we have our first game of the season tonight and coach says we must dress up every game day."

So, number one, we realized that right under our noses, this boy was growing into a man and needed a couple new dress shirts. And number two, we appreciated the fact that the entire team had to conduct themselves with dignity and self-respect on the day they were to represent their school in soccer.

High School soccer was a most enjoyable time for our freshman last year for a number of reasons:

1) Played both JV and V;

2) Practiced four times a week;

3) Played with highly skilled players (two of whom were named to Georgia Super Six) and all the seniors on the team committed to Division I or II colleges, one headed to Europe to try-out;

4) Camaraderie with boys;

5) Popularity with girls;

6) Maintained good grades (somehow having this heavy schedule made him more focused)

He had received an invitation to try out for one of the two GA academy teams but declined and he says he is glad he chose to play high school soccer; otherwise he would have missed out on all the above-mentioned benefits. And because he knows of a couple outstanding players who have been academy bench warmers... So what really is the benefit of playing academy? Bearing in mind everyone's journey to their ultimate destination is different.