19. Women's Coaches- Brendan Lawler, Manhattan College, Mike Eckberg, SUNY-New Paltz

In this episode, Justin Chezem of Christopher Newport University Men’s Soccer and I welcome Brendan Lawler, the women’s coach at Manhattan College and Mike Eckberg, the women’s coach at State University of New York - New Paltz. This is a fantastic conversation with three college coaches who have all been at it a long time. I’m certain that you’ll find the discussion informative and beneficial. Please continue to subscribe and share the podcast as well as send me questions and comments through matchplayrecruit.com. Check us out on facebook and instagram.

Summary

The conversation explores the early recruitment of female athletes and the factors influencing this process. The coaches discuss the timeline differences between Division I and Division III women's sports and the impact of the transfer portal. They also emphasize the importance of managing player expectations and individual paths. The coaches share their insights on preparing incoming players for the season and the challenges they may face. They discuss the significance of grades and academic fit in the recruiting process. The conversation concludes with a discussion on evaluating fit for the program's culture. The conversation covers various topics related to college soccer, including the importance of culture, the role of ID camps in recruiting, and the view of coaches on consultants and recruiting advisors. The coaches also share their excitement for the upcoming preseason and provide profiles of their respective schools, Manhattan College and SUNY New Paltz.

Takeaways

Culture is a crucial aspect of a successful soccer program and requires constant work and attention.

ID camps can provide valuable opportunities for coaches to evaluate players and for players to experience the program and culture firsthand.

Coaches generally prefer direct communication from players rather than consultants or recruiting advisors.

The preseason is an exciting time for coaches as they prepare for the upcoming season and welcome their players back.

Manhattan College offers a unique blend of urban and residential living, strong academics, and a blue-collar soccer program, while SUNY New Paltz provides a vibrant community, outdoor activities, and a focus on personal growth.

Chapters

00:00 Early Recruitment of Female Athletes

01:31 Factors Influencing Early Recruitment

03:50 The Impact of the Transfer Portal

05:40 Managing Player Expectations and Individual Paths

07:12 Introduction of the Coaches

09:21 Geographical Locations of the Colleges

09:52 Timeline Differences in Women's Sports

11:18 Recruiting Process for Division I and Division III Women's Sports

12:42 The Importance of Fit and Personal Interactions

17:04 Preparing for the Season: Expectations for Incoming Players

20:13 The Transition to College Athletics

24:00 The Importance of Grades and Academic Fit

27:02 The Impact of Physicality in College Athletics

29:14 Evaluating Fit for the Program's Culture

40:53 The Importance of Culture

44:10 Influencing and Carrying on the Culture

48:47 Value of ID Camps

53:38 Coaches' View on Consultants and Recruiting Advisors

01:01:32 Getting Excited for Preseason

01:04:11 School Profiles: Manhattan College and SUNY New Paltz