East County Surf College Recruiting Program is a resource to help our Coaches, Players, Parents and Managers through the College Recruiting process. Our College Recruiting Program is designed to educate, inform and guide the East County soccer community as our talent matriculates beyond high school prep and into NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA or Junior College programs.
We will help our Boys & Girls college prospects clearly understand the differences and nuance of the collegiate soccer landscape as they go through the process finding the right program for their academic and athletic aspirations. Scholarships are one consideration, but there is much more that goes into finding the right fit.
Men’s College Soccer - there are over 1,400 college men’s soccer teams spanning five different division levels: NCAA Division 1, NCAA Division 2, NCAA Division 3, NAIA and NJCAA (also referred to as Junior College or JUCO). Each division level—and school—provides student-athletes with its own unique experience.
Women’s College Soccer - there are over 1,500 colleges across the U.S. that have women’s soccer teams. Athletic scholarships are available for collegiate women’s soccer players at the NCAA Division 1, NCAA Division 2, NAIA and NJCAA Junior College levels. Each division, conference and school provides unique opportunities.
NCAA Division I - Division I schools generally have the biggest student bodies, manage the largest athletics budgets and offer the most generous number of scholarships. Schools who are members of Division I commit to maintaining a high academic standard for student-athletes in addition to a wide range of opportunities for athletics participation. Schools who are members of Division I commit to maintaining a high academic standard for student-athletes.
NCAA Division II - Division II is a collection of more than 300 NCAA colleges and universities that provide thousands of student-athletes the opportunity to compete at a high level of scholarship athletics while excelling in the classroom and fully engaging in the broader campus experience. This balance, in which student-athletes are recognized for their academic success, athletics contributions and campus/community involvement, is at the heart of the Division II philosophy.
NCAA Division III - Division III is the largest division in terms of number of institutions and number of participants in the NCAA. As a Presidents Council, we help ensure over 195,000 students at 446 institutions representing 44 conferences, can further their athletic careers while earning a degree. Division III is unique in not awarding athletic scholarships due to its unwavering commitment to the academic success of every student-athlete.
NAIA - NAIA is home to 77,000 student-athletes, with over 200 NAIA Men’s and Women’s soccer programs. Regardless of their size, all schools are in competition for students. Student-athlete participation at NAIA schools has increased an average of 40 percent in the last five years. If your school wants to be nationally competitive at a reasonable price, while driving enrollment and supporting the school’s bottom line, the NAIA is the best association for you.
NJCAA - NJCAA offers three divisions of Junior College Soccer. The NJCAA has played a vital role in collegiate athletics for the past eight decades and continues to be the leader in championing two-year college experiences and opportunities for student-athletes. It is the mission of the NJCAA to foster a national program of athletic participation in an environment that supports equitable opportunities consistent with the educational objectives of member colleges.
East County Surf will host various College Recruiting events, seminars, discussions and workshops as we prepare the next generation of college prospects. These experiences are designed for our club members and are an outstanding opportunity to understand and engage in the college recruiting process. With full access to Cole Schmit and Productive Recruit’s network, we will ensure our players have the best opportunities available along their soccer journey. Please attend these events to build your resumé and knowledge of the process.
Thousands of athletes use ProductiveRecruit to build their online profile, find their college fit, and connect with college coaches. Take complete control of your recruiting process from start to finish. ProductiveRecruit is a proud partner of East County Surf and will provide a best-in-class and all-in-one solution for our prospects.
