By Pat Grecco, College Bound Athlete advisor


First off, let me say that “D-II” does not mean “not as good as D-I”. It also doesn’t mean they are better than D-III schools. The most important factor to consider is the quality of the individual programs. Get used to evaluating programs, not the number after their name.

One of the major differences in D-II is that they can invite you for an audition or try-out while you are still in high school. So, the coach can say to you, “I would like you to come for an official visit and bring your equipment with you.” This try-out or audition is especially beneficial to those who did not travel with their team or missed college showcases or major tournaments; even for those who might have been injured and on the sidelines during their recruiting window. These invitations are offered during senior year of high school by the college coach.

On Long Island we have some great D-II soccer and athletic programs which include Molloy College, Long Island University, C W Post, Adelphi women's program, Dowling College, and New York Tech. Not too far from home, some other D-II programs include Mercy College, Saint Thomas Aquinas College, Queens College, Dominican College, Concordia College, and Pace University. John D'Rico Head Coach at Dowling College can boast of winning a National Championship a few years ago. The Adelphi University women are also on the cusp of winning the coveted National Title.

If you are on a club team that does not go to college showcases or major tournaments, perhaps college coaches never got to see you play. So now this invite for an official visit gives the coach a chance to put you on the field, sort of in a “match up” situation, against the current team.

Another thing to consider is that academic eligibility for D-II schools is a bit more relaxed than D-I schools. If you enroll in a D-II college and want to participate in athletics or receive an athletic scholarship during your first year, you must:

* Graduate from high school
* Complete 14 core courses
* Earn a 2.000 grade-point average or better in your core courses
* Earn a combined SAT score of 820 or an ACT sum score of 68.

Students enrolling after August 1, 2013 will have new standard of eligibility so take note:

* Graduate from high school
* Complete 16 core courses
* Earn 2.000 grade-point average or better in your core courses
* Earn a combined SAT score of 820 or an ACT sum score of 68.



I have worked with numerous International Students, most recently with a female soccer player from Ireland and a male soccer player from Mexico. College coaches did not get the opportunity to see them compete so I set up a schedule for them to come to the USA and audition at five different D-II colleges within a period of three days. This proved to be very beneficial, as they met the coach and the team, saw the school, and were able to be evaluated for scholarships. Both received scholarships and went onto play at D-II schools.

D-II schools of course have their own post season schedule, national championships, All-America selections, and of course are very good academically.

Remember to start early, you become a Prospective Student-Athlete when:

* You start 9th grade
* You become a “Talented Sophomore” and able to be identified by college coaches.
* Able to mark verbal commitments as a 11the grader

Finally remember,

What your parents said was true…
Study and get good grades …
College Coaches recruit the brightest and the best

There is more academic scholarship money available than you might imagine