Our college tryouts have ballooned to an outrageous number. I would have never guessed that 56 players would have come out for a shot.
As a former player, I remember what it was like going to Mohawk College by myself in August to tryout for Varsity Soccer, and how well I was treated.
As a parent, I always watched with interest with respect to how coaches carried out their tryouts by their own methods. I also watched my sons' reactions after being selected or released. I didn't always agree with how tryouts were conducted but I did respect the fact that the coach did what they felt was fair.
Right now, as I deal with young men coming to me from out of town, my own son is trying out for Varsity Lacrosse at the University of Guelph. I am very interested to hear about his experiences over the week and see what I can integrate into my own methods.
Sometimes I hear parents complain about tryouts, fairness, timing, etc, ... and all I can think is "you have NO clue". Every coach I know works to make sure tryouts are fair and respectful. It may not appear that way and everybody has a different idea of fair, but the thought and will is there.
Right now we are at 30 players left of 56. By next Tuesday I expect to be down to 22. Some boys are dealing with the realization that they are not as good, fast and/or strong as they thought they were in high school. Others are coming to tryouts while trying to settle into a new town and not knowing anybody. This program is their first impression of Niagara College and I have to make sure it's professional and hospitable.
My goal for the players who do not get selected is that they have a better realization of what's required to play at this level and they learned something they can take back to their regular program. I want those players to keep playing and hopefully want to coach one day. To support LTPD, I have to present a situation that makes them want to be Active for Life.
This Thursday, we have a pre-season game at Seneca College then an Intra-squad game next Tuesday. The team should be complete after Tuesday.
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