SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums Boys Varsity Soccer ESR May 14

All-State teams should include the best (however-many) players in the state, regardless of team records, championships, etc.
I tend to downplay statistics (a bit) simply because I know that simple numbers do not an all-star make. Example #1: Player A is an excellent passing MF. His teammates, Players B, C and D are poor finishers. Result: Player A finishes with a decent, but not eye-popping 12 assists, instead of 25 assists. Example #2: Player A is a decent passing MF. His teammates, B, C, and D are great finishers AND his team's official scorer is (how shall we say this?) generous. Player A finishes with 28 assists.
The real key to All-State selections SHOULD be the "eyeball" test. Unfortunately, nobody sees everyone, much less, sees everyone multiple times (the only way to judge fairly). So we go by name, reputation, numbers and (when available) nominations and recommendations. And people get honored, or left out, inappropriately.
I know first-hand what it means to kids, because I saw what it meant to my son. As "the adults" in the room, we should do our level best to make the process as transparent and representative as possible.
One more thing. With respect to the gent from Liverpool, I'm sure he'd be the first to tell you that even HE would have to see a kid multiple times before he could make an informed judgment.

Good then we agree. In the interest of "the kids" the team's coach and the program (assuming you strive for the latter classification - there's a big different) should make sure that they are represented in the SCHSSCA by paying the dues and showing up to nomination meetings. Unless of course you're missing the heading on the form which plainly clarifies that it is an SCHSSCA award...that's South Carolina HS Soccer Coaches Assoc for those wondering

I highly doubt Nike has any input on who is a generation Adidas athlete.

The problem here is that most parents, you and lvrpoo included, can't wrap their head around the previous point and the fact that it is a process that should be participated in if you want some sort of say. I honestly can't think of anything more transparent then association members showing up to meetings and presenting arguments for players on their behalf. This isn't some popularity contest other than the fact that if your school or coach doesn't participate, your player has a greater chance of exclusion. The devotion to the players is a two way street - anyone who has tried to get a child recruited to college knows this.

Actually, I'm ENTIRELY with you. I think EVERY athletic department in the state should pony up membership fees for their coaches' professional affiliations, and coaches SHOULD participate as part of their job description. I hate reading that a deserving kid may have been passed over because nobody from his region attended. I also hate reading that an undeserving kid (and let's all just admit there have been a few of those) is selected because his coach and region have disproportionate representation in the process.
And you're absolutely right about the two-way street, with one proviso. I truly hope that a widely recognized great kid/talent isn't locked out because his school/coach/AD didn't do their due diligence. I truly hope there's a path for THAT kid's selection. Because in a fair and transparent process, you don't down a kid because of his coach.

From what I have read above, it has become clear that in SC the best players are not always recognized. To me, this makes a mockery of the system. Who cares if a person doesn't pay into another corrupt system. The best players need to be recognized, and if this isn't happening, everyone needs to back out and let the orginization fail, or become a joke, or both.

James,

Not that the system isn't flawed. Every system is, but your post doesn't make any sense. The SCHSSCA hands out the awards. Technically they can give it to whoever they want. I can't vote on the Heisman, wish I could. Does that mean it'ss totally flawed and should be considered corrupt?

James you would be correct- if you will put all of my posts together you would see that A)I was told that certain players were never nominated B)that these players names never came up in discussion C)a retraction and admission that these players were in fact nominated - this means that the players names were never presented for consideration even though they were properly nominated - if that isnt bordering on corrupt i dont know what is

And to SUAP - they should restrict the nominations to only members and not call it all state because it doesnt truly represent ALL of the state

And to SUAP - they should restrict the nominations to only members and not call it all state because it doesnt truly represent ALL of the state

I believe that is the direction we are heading. Just like in order to be named to a NSCAA All-American or All-South Region Team, the coach of the nominated player MUST be a member. It simply encourages professional organization membership. Some of the other auxiliary organizations of the SCACA already implement this method. The SCHSSCA has been slow to adopt this measure entirely due to the aforementioned arguments - A deserving player may be omitted due to the negligence or oversight of his/her coach.

Well he may just be moving to a school that has a member coach bc the administration at EHS decided they werent going to bring Nomar back-very poorly handled way to treat a great guy -