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D3soccer.com => Men's soccer => Topic started by: Northern_Explorer on September 30, 2020, 11:54:20 AM

Title: New List of College Men's Soccer "Programs That Inspire"
Post by: Northern_Explorer on September 30, 2020, 11:54:20 AM
They did a very interesting women's list last week. I'll be curious what people think of the men's version. It's pretty D3 heavy.

The full top 20 and explanation is here... https://collegeathleticadvisor.com/inspire/

Top 5:

1. Amherst College (MA, NCAA Division 3)
2. SUNY – Oneonta (NY, NCAA Division 3)
3. Cal State – Los Angeles (CA, NCAA Division 2)
4. Ohio Wesleyan (OH, NCAA Division 3)
5. Centre College (KY, Division 3)
Title: Re: New List of College Men's Soccer "Programs That Inspire"
Post by: Another Mom on September 30, 2020, 02:41:55 PM
It is a joke.

It's a website purporting to offer advice on college athletic recruiting.  There is no possible way they can assess every college soccer program in the country especially using such subjective parameters.

I do agree Amherst is inspiring though.
Title: Re: New List of College Men's Soccer "Programs That Inspire"
Post by: d4_Pace on October 01, 2020, 05:01:33 PM
See i stopped reading when amherst was number one
Title: Re: New List of College Men's Soccer "Programs That Inspire"
Post by: Falconer on October 01, 2020, 06:30:39 PM
Quote from: d4_Pace on October 01, 2020, 05:01:33 PM
See i stopped reading when amherst was number one

As I stopped reading when Messiah is not on either list, not anywhere. That's credible.
Title: Re: New List of College Men's Soccer "Programs That Inspire"
Post by: d4_Pace on October 02, 2020, 11:53:26 AM
Falconer,
Only got to play Messiah once but you could certainly tell this is exactly the type of list the program should rank highly on. In reality what this list is trying to measure almost directly correlates to success. People like being apart of and staying in touch with successful programs. Having that buy in leads to successful programs. The key is getting the cycle of success started.
Title: Re: New List of College Men's Soccer "Programs That Inspire"
Post by: Northern_Explorer on October 13, 2020, 03:58:32 PM
Quote from: Another Mom on September 30, 2020, 02:41:55 PM
It is a joke.

It's a website purporting to offer advice on college athletic recruiting.  There is no possible way they can assess every college soccer program in the country especially using such subjective parameters.

I do agree Amherst is inspiring though.
so the program you know is great, but yes, how could anyone (or any group of people) know more than you!? lol... okay...

Messiah & Wheaton both certainly could be in there, but exactly who do you kick out? And what about Middlebury?
Title: Re: New List of College Men's Soccer "Programs That Inspire"
Post by: Another Mom on October 14, 2020, 11:25:35 AM
I do not believe I said anything about knowing more than anyone else. What I did say was that it was impossible for anyone to know everything about every men's soccer program,  including every division level, particularly since some of their parameters are subjective  and thus not easily verified.
Title: Re: New List of College Men's Soccer "Programs That Inspire"
Post by: PaulNewman on October 14, 2020, 04:44:35 PM
Most of us recognize that Amherst is an extremely exclusive, super-elite institution.  But why inspiring?  Or did you mean the soccer program specifically, and if so, what makes the soccer so inspiring or inspiring relative to other strong academic institutions and/or their soccer programs?
Title: Re: New List of College Men's Soccer "Programs That Inspire"
Post by: Northern_Explorer on October 14, 2020, 06:10:52 PM
Quote from: Another Mom on October 14, 2020, 11:25:35 AM
I do not believe I said anything about knowing more than anyone else. What I did say was that it was impossible for anyone to know everything about every men's soccer program,  including every division level, particularly since some of their parameters are subjective  and thus not easily verified.
pretty sure that group has the expertise to identify and publicize elite men's soccer programs that meet those parameters, even stipulating that "knowing everything about everything" is beyond us all...
Title: Re: New List of College Men's Soccer "Programs That Inspire"
Post by: Another Mom on October 14, 2020, 09:27:11 PM
Quote from: PaulNewman on October 14, 2020, 04:44:35 PM
Most of us recognize that Amherst is an extremely exclusive, super-elite institution.  But why inspiring?  Or did you mean the soccer program specifically, and if so, what makes the soccer so inspiring or inspiring relative to other strong academic institutions and/or their soccer programs?

Since the list we are discussing is a list of men's soccer programs that inspire, yes, I was referring to Amherst's soccer program.  What makes it inspiring?  I met many D3 coaches and sat in on a bunch of coach info sessions over the course of my son's recruiting journey.  I was very impressed by Coach Serpone, though I know he is not universally liked, and I thought he was highly inspiring.  Much more so than most of the other coaches I saw, which included most of the NESCACs.
Title: Re: New List of College Men's Soccer "Programs That Inspire"
Post by: Another Mom on October 14, 2020, 09:30:08 PM
Quote from: Northern_Explorer on October 14, 2020, 06:10:52 PM
pretty sure that group has the expertise to identify and publicize elite men's soccer programs that meet those parameters, even stipulating that "knowing everything about everything" is beyond us all...

I would be interested to learn about that group's expertise in that case.

Why do you think the programs listed are elite? 
Title: Re: New List of College Men's Soccer "Programs That Inspire"
Post by: Northern_Explorer on October 15, 2020, 02:36:07 AM
Quote from: Another Mom on October 14, 2020, 09:30:08 PM
Quote from: Northern_Explorer on October 14, 2020, 06:10:52 PM
pretty sure that group has the expertise to identify and publicize elite men's soccer programs that meet those parameters, even stipulating that "knowing everything about everything" is beyond us all...

I would be interested to learn about that group's expertise in that case.

Why do you think the programs listed are elite?
you know there's a link at the top of the thread, right?
Title: Re: New List of College Men's Soccer "Programs That Inspire"
Post by: Buck O. on October 15, 2020, 07:57:30 AM
Quote from: Northern_Explorer on October 15, 2020, 02:36:07 AM
Quote from: Another Mom on October 14, 2020, 09:30:08 PM
Quote from: Northern_Explorer on October 14, 2020, 06:10:52 PM
pretty sure that group has the expertise to identify and publicize elite men's soccer programs that meet those parameters, even stipulating that "knowing everything about everything" is beyond us all...

I would be interested to learn about that group's expertise in that case.

Why do you think the programs listed are elite?
you know there's a link at the top of the thread, right?

Yeah, there's a link.  In fact, here's the part of their website that lists the backgrounds of the group:  https://collegeathleticadvisor.com/meet-the-team/

Hard to see anything there that would qualify them to perform a global assessment of the college soccer programs that inspire.
Title: Re: New List of College Men's Soccer "Programs That Inspire"
Post by: Another Mom on October 15, 2020, 08:07:40 AM
Yes, I read the link with the 3 principals' background before posting my question.  There are 3 people on the team. One is a track and field coach living in China. One is a basketball coach, and the third, Dave Morris, lists coaching experience,  but does not say for which sport.

Given the apparent lack of soccer experience/connection my question was genuine: I would be interested to learn why you think they have the expertise to assess hundreds of men's soccer programs.
Title: Re: New List of College Men's Soccer "Programs That Inspire"
Post by: jknezek on October 15, 2020, 09:12:04 AM
It's a couple guys trying to run a business. I'm sure they did something regarding research, and I'm also sure that any college that treats their customers well gets a spot on a list. If they are friends with a coach, probably a spot on the list. So I'd guess it's a mix of programs they've looked into and places they have good relationships with. That's usually how these things go. I wouldn't get too excited about it.
Title: Re: New List of College Men's Soccer "Programs That Inspire"
Post by: Northern_Explorer on October 15, 2020, 11:30:48 AM
Quote from: Another Mom on October 15, 2020, 08:07:40 AM
Yes, I read the link with the 3 principals' background before posting my question.  There are 3 people on the team. One is a track and field coach living in China. One is a basketball coach, and the third, Dave Morris, lists coaching experience,  but does not say for which sport.

Given the apparent lack of soccer experience/connection my question was genuine: I would be interested to learn why you think they have the expertise to assess hundreds of men's soccer programs.
google would be your friend on that sort of thing... I get it though, if your fav school isn't on it, it must be corrupt or stupid or something... you couldn't have a company that sells its expertise simply demonstrate that expertise... that wouldn't make any sense at all, because having well constructed lists that help people and showcase great programs... I don't know, wouldn't be good for business? wouldn't demonstrate the expertise they sell? /sarc

Title: Re: New List of College Men's Soccer "Programs That Inspire"
Post by: Another Mom on October 15, 2020, 12:17:57 PM
Quote from: Northern_Explorer on October 15, 2020, 11:30:48 AM
Quote from: Another Mom on October 15, 2020, 08:07:40 AM
Yes, I read the link with the 3 principals' background before posting my question.  There are 3 people on the team. One is a track and field coach living in China. One is a basketball coach, and the third, Dave Morris, lists coaching experience,  but does not say for which sport.

Given the apparent lack of soccer experience/connection my question was genuine: I would be interested to learn why you think they have the expertise to assess hundreds of men's soccer programs.
google would be your friend on that sort of thing... I get it though, if your fav school isn't on it, it must be corrupt or stupid or something... you couldn't have a company that sells its expertise simply demonstrate that expertise... that wouldn't make any sense at all, because having well constructed lists that help people and showcase great programs... I don't know, wouldn't be good for business? wouldn't demonstrate the expertise they sell? /sarc

Why the hostility? I asked reasonable questions, which so far you have failed to answer.

My questions are: 1. Why do you think the programs listed are elite? and 2. What is the expertise that allows this group to evaluate soccer programs?
Title: Re: New List of College Men's Soccer "Programs That Inspire"
Post by: jknezek on October 15, 2020, 12:21:52 PM
Quote from: Another Mom on October 15, 2020, 12:17:57 PM
Quote from: Northern_Explorer on October 15, 2020, 11:30:48 AM
Quote from: Another Mom on October 15, 2020, 08:07:40 AM
Yes, I read the link with the 3 principals' background before posting my question.  There are 3 people on the team. One is a track and field coach living in China. One is a basketball coach, and the third, Dave Morris, lists coaching experience,  but does not say for which sport.

Given the apparent lack of soccer experience/connection my question was genuine: I would be interested to learn why you think they have the expertise to assess hundreds of men's soccer programs.
google would be your friend on that sort of thing... I get it though, if your fav school isn't on it, it must be corrupt or stupid or something... you couldn't have a company that sells its expertise simply demonstrate that expertise... that wouldn't make any sense at all, because having well constructed lists that help people and showcase great programs... I don't know, wouldn't be good for business? wouldn't demonstrate the expertise they sell? /sarc

Why the hostility? I asked reasonable questions, which so far you have failed to answer.

My questions are: 1. Why do you think the programs listed are elite? and 2. What is the expertise that allows this group to evaluate soccer programs?

Not just soccer either. They did football and have men's and women's lax coming up. I'd assume they will keep going but I could be wrong.
Title: Re: New List of College Men's Soccer "Programs That Inspire"
Post by: Northern_Explorer on October 15, 2020, 01:20:33 PM
I thought it'd be fun to actually dig into the list, but you're asking for stuff you could copy and paste from their website...

I thought it was bad form to do this, but

QuoteRankings are based on a subjective assessment of student experience in four areas:

*Holistic development of student-athletes in the institution
*Academic achievement & support for the academic success of student-athletes
*Overall college experience for participants within the program
*Affordability/Graduation Rates/Student Satisfaction

These rankings are meant to highlight programs that may not be widely publicized despite having achieved consistent elite status in competition and in elevating the lives of participating student-athletes. While this is a subjective list, we believe these rankings present an informed starting point for a discussion about where student-athletes can excel as "triple-threat" competitors (academics, athletics, and socially) in college and in their future lives.
I think they answer your question pretty clearly, tbh
Title: Re: New List of College Men's Soccer "Programs That Inspire"
Post by: PaulNewman on October 15, 2020, 07:07:05 PM
Quote from: Northern_Explorer on October 15, 2020, 01:20:33 PM
I thought it'd be fun to actually dig into the list, but you're asking for stuff you could copy and paste from their website...

I thought it was bad form to do this, but

QuoteRankings are based on a subjective assessment of student experience in four areas:

*Holistic development of student-athletes in the institution
*Academic achievement & support for the academic success of student-athletes
*Overall college experience for participants within the program
*Affordability/Graduation Rates/Student Satisfaction

These rankings are meant to highlight programs that may not be widely publicized despite having achieved consistent elite status in competition and in elevating the lives of participating student-athletes. While this is a subjective list, we believe these rankings present an informed starting point for a discussion about where student-athletes can excel as "triple-threat" competitors (academics, athletics, and socially) in college and in their future lives.
I think they answer your question pretty clearly, tbh

Would your name happen to be Dave Morris?

Another Mom's only mistake was being unable to resist a nod to Amherst (which, FWIW, IS #1 on the list you are defending/promoting).  I (and many others) sneak (or neon-sign) such nods for our own favorites all the time.  Otherwise, she nailed it.  This website does look like a joke, intended to separate unknowing, but eager families from some of their money.

If anyone visiting D3soccer.com truly needs assistance coming up with a list of 10-15 colleges to focus on for D3 college soccer and an academic/vibe fit, he or she can post (or PM) some details that are truthful and 50 or more regular posters here could provide some very useful information......for free.

As a side note, lists like this CAN be fun -- like best places to live or retire -- but they are not to be taken literally...or for me at least, seriously.  There are dozens and dozens of schools that could be "best" depending on the individual in terms of the desired and within reach criteria for that individual.
Title: Re: New List of College Men's Soccer "Programs That Inspire"
Post by: Northern_Explorer on October 15, 2020, 11:05:28 PM
Quote from: PaulNewman on October 15, 2020, 07:07:05 PM
lists like this CAN be fun -- like best places to live or retire -- but they are not to be taken literally...or for me at least, seriously.  There are dozens and dozens of schools that could be "best" depending on the individual in terms of the desired and within reach criteria for that individual.
lol... your free, hypothetical list would be fun, and much cheaper than the free, actual list that isn't worth discussing... gotcha big man. My expectations were low, but man, I overshot...
Title: Re: New List of College Men's Soccer "Programs That Inspire"
Post by: Buck O. on October 17, 2020, 07:29:59 AM
Quote from: Northern_Explorer on October 15, 2020, 11:05:28 PM
Quote from: PaulNewman on October 15, 2020, 07:07:05 PM
lists like this CAN be fun -- like best places to live or retire -- but they are not to be taken literally...or for me at least, seriously.  There are dozens and dozens of schools that could be "best" depending on the individual in terms of the desired and within reach criteria for that individual.
lol... your free, hypothetical list would be fun, and much cheaper than the free, actual list that isn't worth discussing... gotcha big man. My expectations were low, but man, I overshot...

Northern, you seem to be unable to participate in a civil discussion or to address the merits of an issue.  Run along.
Title: Re: New List of College Men's Soccer "Programs That Inspire"
Post by: Northern_Explorer on October 17, 2020, 06:14:57 PM
Quote from: Buck O. on October 17, 2020, 07:29:59 AM
Quote from: Northern_Explorer on October 15, 2020, 11:05:28 PM
Quote from: PaulNewman on October 15, 2020, 07:07:05 PM
lists like this CAN be fun -- like best places to live or retire -- but they are not to be taken literally...or for me at least, seriously.  There are dozens and dozens of schools that could be "best" depending on the individual in terms of the desired and within reach criteria for that individual.
lol... your free, hypothetical list would be fun, and much cheaper than the free, actual list that isn't worth discussing... gotcha big man. My expectations were low, but man, I overshot...

Northern, you seem to be unable to participate in a civil discussion or to address the merits of an issue.  Run along.
lol... let's see.

Who would you dump off the list? Who's a glaring omission... besides Messiah I don't think a single one has come up.