PROGRAM OVERVIEW
SoCal Reds is proud to provide a comprehensive College Placement Program (CPP) designed to ensure that all of our athletes are well educated, prepared and have the best opportunity to play at the next level. We strive to educate players about the college recruiting process and assist each individual with identifying the best college fit for them based on 4 Fit Criteria Factors: Athletic, Academic, Social and Financial Fit. We also provide college education workshops to provide in-depth insight on the Athletic and Academic process as players progress through the 3 CPP Phases.
The College Placement Program is an ongoing, club-level program that is available to all high school age players in the club. Every SoCal Reds SoCal high school age player has full access to the CPP which includes all recruiting tools, resources, guidance and preparation to help them play at the next level. The program is intended to supplement the efforts of our players and their parents as they work through making informed decisions about the college recruiting process.
What is included in the College Placement Program?
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College Placement Director with professional guidance and advice
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Online college recruiting platform and CPP resources
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Education on how the College Recruiting Process works and how to be prepared.
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Coach and Director recommendations for level of play.
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The 3 Phases of the SoCal Reds FC College Placement Process
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Phase I
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Phase II
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Phase III
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The Player Checklist
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Sports Recruits - Online Player Profile Platform, including Highlight Video and College Coach Communication and research tools!
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Online Access to the SoCal Reds FC online portal which includes all CPP documents, checklists, and sample emails.
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Designated Team College Representative that is responsible for handling all College Placement Program information, education, processes, guidance and leadership for the team and individual players.
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Each Team College Representative is trained, educated and mentored in the 3 Phases of the CPP and they have direct access to the CPP Director for guidance and advice to best help their team and players.
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Interactive guidance and communication between player, parent, CPP Director, College Rep and Head Coach to help connect players with college coaches.
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Annual College ID Camp to bring college coaches to us and have them coach, train, educate and interact with players in both training and game environments.
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On field interaction with college coaches in our SoCal Reds FC practice and training environment. We invite local, regional and national college coaches out to our weekly training sessions to evaluate our players in action.
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CPP Resources (digital)
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Sample Introduction and Follow up Email Templates to send to college coaches
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Digital and hard copy Player Profiles
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Digital and hard copy Team Brochures to distribute at showcase events
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College Education Nights held throughout the year
These meetings are designed to help athletes and their families understand the college recruiting process.
HOW TO GET RECRUITED
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The College Placement Program (CPP) is broken down into 3 Phases to help simplify the college recruiting process for players and parents. As we guide players and parents through the process, we identify the specific needs and interests of each player. Then we provide them with an action plan to help them accomplish their goals. Each player receives a hard copy folder and digital documents with information to support each Phase. Each Phase has specific details and steps to help players and parents be successful.What is included in your CPP Resources? You will get a digital copy of all the following information.
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Player Checklist for each Phase
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Sample Team Brochure for college coaches
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Sample Player Profile for college coaches
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Sample introduction email for college coaches
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Sample follow up email for college coaches
Phase I (Freshmen/Sophomore)
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Set up Player Profile
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Start compiling Highlight Video footage
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College research
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Attend 2-3 college campuses
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Identify Top 25 schools
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Send emails to college coaches
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Attend 3-6 college showcases
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Attend 2-3 College ID Camps
Phase II (Sophomore/Junior)
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Phone calls to college coaches
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Scheduling unofficial/official college visits
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Offers and commitments
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Decisions
Phase III (Junior/Senior)
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College Bound
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College Prep
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Physical/Mental Training
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Experience
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Alumni connections
For more detailed information on the exact steps please contact our CPP Director: Carlos Gonzales at carlos.gonzales@socalredsfc.com
LINKS AND DOCUMENTS TO HELP
Each player U15-U19 in SoCal Reds FC has access to Sports Recruits which is included in their club fees (www.sportsrecruits.com). Sports Recruits is an excellent resource for all players to create their own player profile to allow college coaches to view their profile online. The profile allows players to describe themselves as a player, upload video highlights, Show their high school GPA etc. Sports Recruits has access to every college coach in the country. It is important that ALL players keep their profile updated.
CPP DIRECTOR
Carlos Gonzales
Youth Club Coaching Experience:
LFCIA SoCal G06 DPL Southwest Conference Back to Back Champs 23/24
LFCIA SoCal G06 DPL Southwest Conference Champs 22/23
LFCIA SoCal - G06 DPL 2022 National Champions 2022
LFCIA SoCal Head Coach: 2020/2021
LA Galaxy Orange County Head Coach: 2019/2020
West Coast Futbol Club: Orange County, CA 2009-2016
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GU16 ECNL Head Coach 2015-2016
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GU15 ECNL National Championships 2015 (Top 8 in the country)
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Surf Cup Champions GU15 ECNL 2014
Albion SC Girls Program Director: San Diego, CA 2004-2008
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Albion SC Asst. Director: 2003
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Albion SC Head Coach: 2000-2008
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Curriculum Development
US National Coaching Experience:
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US Soccer National Training Center Staff coach (Orange County, CA) 2016 - 2017
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US Club ID2 Coach (Southern California) 2016