Liberty League

[deutschfan]

This isn't a total change of subject but looking at Marvin's pre-college credentials and having seen him play in person and on video how does he end up at SLU?  And that is not a diss on SLU as it is not a question of why SLU over another D3 school but rather how did he end up D3 especially given that high school background.  He clearly was a huge recruiting coup for Coach Tosch.  I have the same question for Giammattei at Amherst who was twice D3 player of the year.  Good size, top scorer in the USSDA, how does Coach Serpone convince him to go D3 v D1.  Certainly Giammattei had D1 opportunities coming out of high school, and if he had some flaw in his game that made him unattractive to a Stanford, Notre Dame, UCLA, or other top program with academics similar to Amherst, certainly he could have had a roster spot at one of the Ivies.  I am really curious what the sales pitch was for both these players as to why they should not go D1 especially if both have professional aspirations.  Giammattei is at MD now but why start D3? 

[d4_Pace]

My understanding in regard to German is that he committed to Amherst fairly early in the process before he had his monster senior year in the development academy. So it seems like he was a bit of a late bloomer and by the time those bigger programs came in for him, he chose to honor his commitment to Amherst.

[stlawus]

Sibanda was going to go D1 but had an eligibility issue.  He started high school rather early back in Zimbabwe so in combination with that and his time at Taft there was a weird issue where he'd only have 2 years eligibility at division 1. Why there is a difference between D1 and D3 in that regard I do not know, but that was why he ended up D3.

As for how he ended up at SLU, there are a lot of SLU alumni on the staff at Taft. Several teachers and administration members are SLU grads. Many a Taft player has ended up at SLU over the years due to the alumni connection.

[deutschfan]

I love this board.  Some vexing inquiries answered in minutes. 

[Coach Jeff]

Sibanda was going to go D1 but had an eligibility issue.  He started high school rather early back in Zimbabwe so in combination with that and his time at Taft there was a weird issue where he'd only have 2 years eligibility at division 1. Why there is a difference between D1 and D3 in that regard I do not know, but that was why he ended up D3.

As for how he ended up at SLU, there are a lot of SLU alumni on the staff at Taft. Several teachers and administration members are SLU grads. Many a Taft player has ended up at SLU over the years due to the alumni connection.

That makes a lot sense.  I am looking forward to watching SLU and him during the NCAA's.  Thanks

[Fitz@615]

As a parent of a D-3 player who had D-1 offers, some kids would rather play for 4 years and it not be such a pressure cooker, especially when it comes to the dog eat dog mentality of some D-1 programs. Furthermore, with so many older internationals coming over now and playing D-1, a kid might get some PT early but then never see the field again.

[MNBob]

As a parent of a D-3 player who had D-1 offers, some kids would rather play for 4 years and it not be such a pressure cooker, especially when it comes to the dog eat dog mentality of some D-1 programs. Furthermore, with so many older internationals coming over now and playing D-1, a kid might get some PT early but then never see the field again.

I've always been curious how colleges use their scholarship money. With the limited number of scholarships is it more common for D1 schools to offer partial money to many players or focus on starters and then no money for the rest of the roster. What was your son's experience?

[deutschfan]

There are numerous reasons a D1 player would go to a D3 school.  Facilitating a professional career in soccer will not be one of them.  If the player has professional aspirations, and is the top scorer in the country's best youth proving ground, or is one of the top high school prospects who plays for his country's national team, there is likely an unusual circumstance that leads them to a D3 program.  In German's and Marvin's case there was.  Looking at USL and MLS rosters, the number of D1 players listed diminishes every year as internationals take their place.  I watched Didier Drogba at a USL game--he is the 4th leading scorer in Chelsea's history.  Getting a spot as a D3 player is an extreme long shot.  There is more hope to play semi-professionally for a lower division team abroad than here in the United States for a D3 player, but these opportunities are also rare.

[deutschfan]

On a different subject, as there is another LL team dancing, what do people know about Babson and Vassar's chances against it.  Vassar has lived off of defense and set pieces.  Babson has a ton of wins and routinely plays NESCAC teams, Brandeis, MIT and other Northeast powers.  I know very little about the teams in their conference and their strength. 

[stlawus]

Massey has the game pretty even, which seems about right.   Babson has had injuries but I don't know if those players are back.  NEWMAC was down a bit this year when it looked like at the beginning they would have a strong season.  But Babson has the coaching pedigree which gives them a bit of an advantage.  I could see 1-0 either way.

[PaulNewman]

^^^^^Agree.  Not a Babson expert but the Bowdoin grass field should suit both of them, and I would predict a tight 1-0 game either way with decent chance goes to PKs.

[Saint_Dad]

He is 24 years old.  I expect him to go pro.

Is he looking to play overseas or in the US?

I don't know.

[stlawus]

Sibanda trained with the Columbus Crew 2 last spring, I imagine if he does get a chance at a pro career it will start in MLS Next Pro or another 3rd/2nd tier league.   It will certainly be difficult to make it, but I think he's proven he deserves a shot. 

[futbolfan]

Babson will handle Vassar, 2-0 prediction.

[Coach Jeff]

Sibanda trained with the Columbus Crew 2 last spring, I imagine if he does get a chance at a pro career it will start in MLS Next Pro or another 3rd/2nd tier league.   It will certainly be difficult to make it, but I think he's proven he deserves a shot.

That must have been a great experience for him.  What is his major at SLU?