Albion SC Sets Record with $2 Million+ Scholarships
Albion SC is one of San Diego’s top premier youth soccer clubs and has a proven record of player development and an outstanding coaching staff. Being able to help their players access scholarship funds to offset the high cost of college is a remarkable and distinct accomplishment.
While Albion SC is nationally recognized for the youth soccer player development, advancement and placement, the club is equally proud of the effort put in to helping their talented high school members move on to college.
Knowing that ability on the pitch is not a guarantee of acceptance into a program, Albion SC has created a high-level college placement program to assist players reach their goal of a college career. This year the efforts of the program have paid off to the tune of over $2 million in scholarship funds for graduating seniors. For many, these are full four- and five-year scholarships based on academics and financial aid as well as athletic ability.
In the fall, Albion SC graduates will be moving on to institutions of higher learning across the country, from the Ivy League in the Northeast to top universities in the Northwest, and from the Southeast to right around the block in San Diego. With names like Yale, Harvard, UCLA, Seattle University and Arizona State University on the list, it will be no surprise to see Albion alumni making headlines around the nation, both on and off the pitch.
The Albion SC College Program is among the top in all the country.
The College Program is a leader in providing players and parents with access to a Technical and Placement Director and a full time college guidance director who are committed to being resources through every step of the college search process. The program mentors and educates players on marketing themselves to college coaches, assists with academic progress, effective communication and college visits, and provides an understanding of what coaches and scouts are looking for in a player.
“Albion SC is committed to helping every player with the desire, ability, and motivation to play college soccer,” states the program’s page on the Albion SC website. “We believe that there is a good college program for every player who is passionate about the game. Provided that you are a hard working, dedicated soccer player who is committed to training and playing at a high level, our goal is to help you get to college.”
Technical Director Noah Gins is passionate about grooming players to advance and take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead. Gins recognizes the power and importance of a college education as well as the opportunities for playing professionally which the college experience can offer.
“We believe in investing time to educate not only players, but the parents, to come up with tailored plans to get optimal exposure for these kids,” Gins explained. “We walk them through the college recruiting process and prepare them extensively to give them options well beyond what they thought was possible.”
“As parents of two daughters playing in the Albion SC program, we can attest to the outstanding guidance that’s offered to parents and players in ways to advance your child to the college level,” said Kevin and Kimberly Marshall. “The club uses showcases to get exposure for the kids starting around the age of 14. The coaches routinely do evaluations to better assist with the realities of each player’s abilities. We have appreciated the guidance along the way, and now with pride are watching our oldest daughter, Devin, on her way to Arizona State University on a full soccer scholarship.”
While some people think that these types of scholarships are not guaranteed, Gins explains that is not the case. “When you get a scholarship coaches don’t take it away unless you do something wrong,” he said. “My players have been awarded four-and five-year full scholarships. For example, Cassie Elmore got a full scholarship for every year to the Univeristy of Jacksonville. This was a $160,000 scholarship. The coaches don’t take that away from a player if the player is performing.”
| Albion SC youth soccer players at the Hall of Champions 2013 |
Some names among the boys’ class are Patrick Barba, (Princeton), Eli Bunton (Manhattan College), Dominic Chavez (Manhattan College), Joseph Saad (St Louis University), Shane Mahvi (Seattle University), and Ariel Lassiter, son of Roy Lassiter and recipient of the 2011 Golden Boot at National Championship for the U16s (Cal Poly).
Among the girls’ class are Devin Marshall (Arizona State), Geneva Decker (Yale), Karli Zlatic (Harvard), Cassie Elmore (University of Jacksonville), Megan Guico (Oral Roberts University), Courtney Marshall (Point Loma Nazarene), Katie Fletcher (Yale), Gabby Hartman (Wellesley), Ariel Oriaite (Point Loma Nazarene), Bailey Sayin (University of Chicago), Andrea Leano (Lenore Rhine, North Carolina), and Alina Broton (Cal Baptist).
Albion SC College Acceptance List
| Brian Angel, Sonoma State UniversityPatrick Barba, Princeton UniversityLizzy Bendrick, Cal Baptist University
Jordan Bingham, Seattle University Jackie Blumenthal, Sonoma State University Alina Broton, Cal Baptist University Eli Bunton, Manhattan College Colleen Burns, University of Hawaii Kalle Caldwell, University of San Francisco Sean Callahan, Sonoma State University Dominic Chavez, Manhattan College Pedro Contreras, Cuyamaca College Joel Cowen, Willamette Geneva Decker, Yale University Claire Eliasberg, Yale University Cassie Elmore, Jacksonville University Katie Fletcher, Yale University Jordyn Fulcher, Northwestern Nazarene University Kelcey Griswold, Whitworth University Meagan Guico, Oral Roberts University Carly Holly, Westmont College Kate Hummell, UCLA Rosie Jaye, Claremont McKenna Tony Jiminez, UC Santa Cruz Kayla Kaleiohi, Holy Names University Morgan Keefe, Harvard University Ariel Lassiter, Cal Poly |
Krista Lauer, Bates CollegeAndrea Leano, Lenoi-Rhyne UniversityElizabeth Lincoln, Tufts University
Casey Lockey, Cal State Fullerton Courtnie Marshal, Point Loma Nazarene University Devin Marshall, Arizona State University Raul Martinez, Louisville University Lindsey McFarland, UC Santa Barbara Alex McLaughlin, Cal State Northridge Jose Merlo, Seattle University Corey Meyerson, Chapman University Chase Octon, UCSD Ariel Oriarte, Point Loma Nazarene University Tori Ornela, Cal State Bakersfield Tyler Payne, North Carolina Wesleyan Joey Pospichal, University of Redlands Andres Ramirez, St. Lawrence University Becca Runyon, Principia University, St. Louis, Joseph Saad, St. Louis University Lauren Skerritt, Bowdoin University Allison Sward, Chico State University Katie Wahl, Coastal Carolina University Colin Webb, Indiana University Ryley Webb, St. Lawrence University Jessica Wood, Cornell University Karly Zlatic, Harvard University |
Congratulations to all of the graduating seniors from Albion SC
