Becca Carter, Breaking Tradition

Recruiting Wednesday folks. You may recall the article last week on St Louis SC and their plans for their U15 and U16 girls teams to forgo their high school season in order to participate in the Red Bull League, a national program. I also referenced a young lady locally who made a personal decision to skip the high school season this year in order to better prepare for a possible college career. Her name is Rebecca “Becca” Carter, a Central Bulldog (and International Baccalaureate program member). Here is her story:
++++++++++++++++++++

Growing up in Southwest Missouri I have grown accustomed to tradition, which is why this year has been a change for me that I never saw coming. For the past two years spring has been high school soccer and virtually the other 8/9 months were club. Not this year. This year as the club season began to wind down I began to get nervous about college and the upcoming recruiting. I talked to my Mom and she suggested that I consider not playing high school and just training with the boy’s club teams.

At first I thought “No way!” Not only would I be the only girl there, but I felt I was not at that level. I also knew for the past two years I have made some of the most amazing friends and really enjoyed playing at Central. Why quit when you are having fun?

The more I thought about it the more I began to open up to the idea. My freshman year I played with JB Marine in St. Louis. Even though I decided not to try-out again the next year, I knew my time in St. Louis helped me improve and put myself in a good position to be successful. I realized that I wanted that again and the only way to do that was to play against people who were better then me.

When I talked to Jeremy Alumbaugh, Director of Springfield SC (my club team), about it he was very receptive and encouraging, which really helped me feel more comfortable with my decision. I was dreading telling Coach Welch at Central. When I told her she was very supportive, which finally made me feel 100% comfortable with my decision.

I have been practicing with the boys for approximately a month now and I can honestly say I do not regret my decision. I still go to Central games and have those friends, but every practice I am surrounded by people who all have something to teach me in one way or another. Obviously every practice you learn something new, whether it is a set play, passing sequence, move, etc… But to me there is something that everyone has to themselves and you notice that. I learn from that as well.

Sure, I still am nervous before every practice. If I mess up not only is it stopping the flow or missing a goal but it is me being a girl. But as soon as we start to play I forget about all that because when it comes down to it we are all here to play, be successful, and win despite gender, race, or any of it. I have not played with girls since I began with the boys so I have no real gauge on how far I have come besides how I feel. I honestly feel as if I have come a long way. There is so much further to go, but I am satisfied with my progress and know that I will continue to grow and improve.

I realize that this is not the right decision for everyone and people have broken tradition in so many different and unique ways. This was the right decision for me. I hope that other people now know it’s an option. It is not that bad, I promise. As long as you adhere to the motto: “I can do anything I put my mind to.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I asked some of Becca’s coaches to offer their perspective as well.

Jeremy Alumbaugh, Director of Soccer Operations, Springfield SC

For Rebecca to make this decision it took a lot of maturity and good old fashion ‘guts’. It wasn’t something that she rushed into, but rather spent a lot of time thinking about how she could give herself every opportunity to be prepared as she enters the final stretch of her college search process.

By putting herself into such a competitive environment where every soccer decision is done faster and with more urgency than she is used to she has pushed herself out of her comfort zone and that is a big step to take for anyone who wants to be a player.

For her it was the right decision, obviously it wouldn’t be for every player. She has competed with the boys well and has earned their respect because she proved she can play and also because I think they recognize she made a big gamble in taking this approach

Chris Welch, Central Bulldogs

It was ultimately Becca’s decision. We talked about it extensively prior to girls season in January and she was very torn as to what she should do. I talked with Mom and Becca as well and they just wanted input and support for her decison and that is what I gave her. I also told her to really think about it as a player and how her team mates (at CHS) would feel, because she wants to come back in her senior year and play with us.

Finally, former player and current Graduate Assistant Coach Sarah Core, Drury University who is also working with Becca on an individual basis.

I understand it was a tough decision for Rebecca to miss out on playing soccer with her friends, I think competing with the boys will help her increase her speed of play which is a key component in playing at the next level.

The training is not the only step in Becca’s college recruitment process. The primary objective is to improve her game in anticipation of a couple of follow up steps. The first will be to attend several soccer camps this summer. This is the most effective method of ensuring that the college of choice has an opportunity to see your play and learn more about you as a player. It also sends a strong message about your interest in their program which in turn should ensure that the interest will be mutual. The Fall Club season will also feature a series of College Showcase opportunities for Becca and her Springfield SC teammates. If things work out as anticipated, she will have a college commitment prior to next March and she looks forward to rejoining her Bulldog teammates for her senior year.

Thanks to Becca for her well written piece, and for sharing her experience with us. What are your thoughts on Becca’s choice? What steps are you taking to be seen and prepare for a college career?