03 November 2010
Scott is a former Scotland School's National team player who joined Viterbo from the College Sport USA program in August 2010. His insight below is intended to further increase people's knowledge and understanding of the US College system. I think it gives and honest reflection of the way the US players differ from the international players. It also reflects the merging of the two mindsets and how this works for the coaches & teams out there.
Scott Henderson, Viterbo University -
Just to give you all a quick update at the tail end of great but short season and help out those who are considering a move to the States.
The football/soccer here at Viterbo is at a good standard with great facilities.
There is a big British influence with around 7 English lads with an English coach as you know. As the season has gone on I can see how some of the American athletes have started to adapt and take on how serious we like to take games and training and the aggressive approach to any competitive game. Whether it be a quarter final conference game or a 6 v 6 game and the losers must collect the training gear!
Although I have also learned how they like their fitness and the never give up outlook on the game.
I think every British lad stands back in amazement the level of professionalism that is brought to college soccer. Training facilities along with great physio teams and treatment rooms to a fantastic. Well looked after playing surfaces where games can be recorded both home and away exceeds all expectations. Away journeys can be a bit of a drag with up to 6 hours on a coach. Although its not exactly a mini bus we travel in, with DVD players and staying in a hotel the night before a game again brings the whole professional status that the majority of us would like to experience in college soccer.
The soccer side to a college athlete is amazing. However you cannot disregard the college aspect for the privilege of gaining the scholarship. Having experienced university back in Scotland the Americans run a tighter ship. Attendance is a massive factor and although you are excused for your games the American system works on a points score for the course taken. This means that you lose points for poor attendance, late assignments etc. There will be classes that do not seem relevant to your chosen degree such as religious studies but they are easy credits to gain. Each class is worth a certain amount of credits for example my Biology class is worth 4, Maths 2. To gain full time status you must have 12 or more credits but enough to make sure you will graduate within the four years. It is advised to take 15 credits during the fall as this is when you will be in season and do not want to overload on work with training everyday and take as many as you think you can cope with in the spring semester.
Insight of a College Student Athlete
College Sport USA's Scott Henderson contacted us to provide an insight into his first full season as a collegiate soccer player at Wisconsin's Viterbo University.Scott is a former Scotland School's National team player who joined Viterbo from the College Sport USA program in August 2010. His insight below is intended to further increase people's knowledge and understanding of the US College system. I think it gives and honest reflection of the way the US players differ from the international players. It also reflects the merging of the two mindsets and how this works for the coaches & teams out there.
Scott Henderson, Viterbo University -
Just to give you all a quick update at the tail end of great but short season and help out those who are considering a move to the States.
The football/soccer here at Viterbo is at a good standard with great facilities.
There is a big British influence with around 7 English lads with an English coach as you know. As the season has gone on I can see how some of the American athletes have started to adapt and take on how serious we like to take games and training and the aggressive approach to any competitive game. Whether it be a quarter final conference game or a 6 v 6 game and the losers must collect the training gear!
Although I have also learned how they like their fitness and the never give up outlook on the game.
I think every British lad stands back in amazement the level of professionalism that is brought to college soccer. Training facilities along with great physio teams and treatment rooms to a fantastic. Well looked after playing surfaces where games can be recorded both home and away exceeds all expectations. Away journeys can be a bit of a drag with up to 6 hours on a coach. Although its not exactly a mini bus we travel in, with DVD players and staying in a hotel the night before a game again brings the whole professional status that the majority of us would like to experience in college soccer.
The soccer side to a college athlete is amazing. However you cannot disregard the college aspect for the privilege of gaining the scholarship. Having experienced university back in Scotland the Americans run a tighter ship. Attendance is a massive factor and although you are excused for your games the American system works on a points score for the course taken. This means that you lose points for poor attendance, late assignments etc. There will be classes that do not seem relevant to your chosen degree such as religious studies but they are easy credits to gain. Each class is worth a certain amount of credits for example my Biology class is worth 4, Maths 2. To gain full time status you must have 12 or more credits but enough to make sure you will graduate within the four years. It is advised to take 15 credits during the fall as this is when you will be in season and do not want to overload on work with training everyday and take as many as you think you can cope with in the spring semester.
