In episode 23, Grant and Erik sit down with two of the most recognizable names in the Dallas soccer world — Dillon Vedral, founder of Vedral Soccer Academy and head coach of West Ham United at The Soccer Tournament, and David Balyeat, better known as Soccer Dave, with 257,000 Instagram followers and a playing career that took him from Mississippi College to Bolivia to Spain.

They talk about what they actually see from the kids they train every day, why playing at the highest club level does not automatically mean the recruiting will come, what social media does and does not do for a recruit, how to make yourself more recruitable off the field, and why the mindset you carry into this process matters more than most families realize.

They also get into the question nobody wants to answer honestly — what percentage of kids actually make it and what does that mean for the 99 percent who do not.

One of the most honest conversations we have had on this show.

Chapters

• 00:00 Unique Pathways to College Soccer
• 08:47 The Importance of Finding the Best Fit
• 24:31 The Impact of Social Media on Recruiting
• 31:54 Navigating the College Recruiting Process
• 34:09 The Reality of Pursuing Professional Soccer
• 37:19 The Importance of Personal Development and Mindset
• 39:16 The Role of Parents and Coaches in Player Development
• 48:05 The Grind of College Soccer
• 59:40 Insights and Advice for Aspiring College Soccer Players

Twenty two episodes in and we have never made this the main topic. Until now.

In Episode 22, Grant and Erik get into the one factor in college soccer recruiting that nobody talks about directly — the parent. What the best soccer parents actually do. What the ones who are hurting their kid's process look like without realizing it. What college coaches are clocking on the sideline during the recruiting process. What happens inside a program when a parent crosses the line. And why the sunk cost of ten years and a hundred thousand dollars in club fees can lead families to force decisions that cost their kid everything.

This one is not a knock on parents. It is a guide for them. Every college coach who has been on this show has touched on this topic. Today it gets its own episode.

No guests. No filter. New episodes every Friday!

Chapters

• 00:00 Exciting Upcoming Guests
• 01:14 The Role of Parents in College Soccer
• 03:18 The Impact of Parents on College Recruiting
• 04:06 Qualities of Supportive Soccer Parents
• 05:58 Negative Impact of Overbearing Parents
• 08:29 Guiding from the Back
• 09:27 Strategic Parental Involvement
• 13:53 Observing Parental Behavior
• 17:29 Consequences of Parental Behavior
• 21:39 Parental Dominance in Recruiting
• 25:00 Balancing Parental Involvement
• 27:54 Parental Perspective
• 31:22 Coaching and Parenting Parallels
• 35:09 Communication and Boundaries
• 36:16 Sunk Cost Fallacy
• 41:22 Financial Pressure and Decision Making
• 43:47 Financial Impact on Recruiting
• 45:30 Reframing Financial Perspectives
• 46:30 Impact of Financial Pressure

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In Episode 21, Grant and Erik sit down with Marsha Lycan, Associate Head Coach of Women's Soccer at William and Mary — and the first female coach to appear on the podcast.

Marsha played at William and Mary in the 1980s, spent decades coaching at the youth and college level, and returned to her alma mater eight years ago to build something alongside her former teammate and head coach Julie Shackford. The result is a program that just sent eight players home who came in together as freshmen and left together as seniors — something almost nobody is doing in college soccer right now.

She talks about what the women's recruiting timeline actually looks like, why confidence and parent dynamics matter as much as talent, the story of a recruit who sent an email with the subject line "Is the ink dry yet?" that changed everything, why chasing the D1 label is one of the most expensive mistakes a family can make, and what she would tell every junior year female athlete right now who feels stuck.

Every coach we have had on this show says the same thing. This episode is no different.

Chapters

• 00:00 Journey from Player to Coach at William and Mary
• 03:04 The Evolution of Recruiting for High-Academic, High-Athletic Programs
• 06:00 The Role of Mentality and Character in Player Selection
• 08:59 The Significance of Personal Connections in Recruiting
• 14:59 Beyond D1: Relationships, Life Lessons, and Character Development
• 27:00 The Impact of Parental Influence
• 28:21 Challenges in College Soccer Recruiting
• 31:15 The Role of Leadership and Team Dynamics
• 34:14 The Importance of Finding the Right Fit
• 38:56 The Misconceptions of College Soccer Recruiting
• 37:21 The Importance of Confidence and Support System
• 49:00 Recruiting Advice and Insights

College soccer is officially back. Preseason is underway and the season is right around the corner. In episode 20, Grant and Erik break down exactly what is happening inside college programs right now and what that means for families in the middle of the recruiting process.

They cover why silence from a coach during the season is not a red flag, what a college coach’s actual week looks like hour by hour, how to communicate with coaches during the season without being annoying or invisible, why fall is one of the most underrated windows to visit campuses and watch games, and what the one percent looks like when you feel stuck and overwhelmed in the process.

20 straight weeks. No signs of stopping. New Episodes every Friday!

Chapters

• 00:00 Episode 20 Kickoff
• 01:39 Preseason Preparation
• 03:11 The Chaos of Preseason
• 04:42 Communication During the Season
• 15:45 Understanding Coach's Daily Routine
• 20:31 Assistant Coach Communication
• 24:29 Building Relationships in the Industry
• 25:04 The Importance of Assistant Coaches
• 26:12 Leveraging Relationships for Job Placement
• 28:15 The Value of Networking and Proximity
• 29:09 The Significance of Titles and Relationships
• 30:19 The Importance of Campus Visits and Game Attendance
• 31:04 The Impact of In-Person Experience
• 34:17 Taking Control of the Recruiting Process
• 39:49 The Long-Term Nature of Recruiting

Book a free strategy call with TAAG:https://templeathlete.com/call-booking-page?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=season-starts-communication&utm_content=ep20-description

The market for college soccer recruiting help has exploded. There are platforms, agencies, advisors, AI tools, and overseas professional placement companies all competing for the same families. In episode 19, Grant and Erik break down every category honestly — what each one actually does, who it is built for, what it cannot do, and where the lines get blurry.

They also get into something nobody is talking about publicly — the growing trend of committed players walking away from college programs at the last minute to chase professional opportunities overseas, what is actually behind that trend, and what it reveals about where youth soccer culture is heading.

This one gets real. No guests. No filter.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Evolution of College Soccer Recruiting
• 01:25 The Emergence of College Soccer Recruiting Services
• 02:11 Changes in Youth Soccer Space
• 04:01 The Need for College Soccer Recruiting Services
• 05:26 Challenges in the Recruiting Process
• 08:29 Professional Opportunities in Soccer
• 09:15 The Role of College Coaches
• 11:15 The Impact of Recruiting Services
• 12:28 Different Types of Recruiting Services
• 13:43 Accountability in the Recruiting Process
• 18:15 The Value of One-on-One Time
• 24:49 Transparency in Recruiting Services
• 32:39 The Impact of NIL on College Soccer
• 33:11 The Influence of Sponsorship and Deals
• 34:07 Motivation and Decision-Making
• 36:40 Navigating College Recruitment Services
• 37:40 The Importance of Personal Growth
• 39:07 The Impact of Decisions on Future Outcomes
• 43:12 The Role of College Coaches
• 41:05 The Importance of Personal Character
• 44:08 The Commitment and Loyalty Dilemma
• 49:40 The Influence of College Roster Construction
• 54:00 The Impact of Personal Decisions
• 57:23 The Roadmap to College Soccer

In Episode 18, Grant and Erik sit down with Alessio Crisanetti-Walker, a rising senior at the University of Rochester and former Sporting Delaware player who Erik coached through the recruiting process firsthand.

Alessio talks about what it actually felt like to wait for June 15th and hear nothing, how he broke out of the D1 or nothing mindset, why Rochester checked every box on his best fit list, what the transition from elite club soccer to the college game really looks like, and why three years in he has zero regrets about choosing a top academic D3 program over a Division 1 offer.

He also talks about spending a semester abroad in Milan, being a research assistant helping a professor write a book, and what none of that would have looked like if he had chased a logo instead of a fit.

If you have ever questioned whether D3 is worth it — this episode is the answer.

Chapters

• 00:00 Early Soccer Journey
• 01:27 Transition to College Pathway
• 03:05 Overcoming Adversity
• 09:17 Recruiting Process
• 14:59 Finding the Best Fit
• 18:27 Coach's Perspective
• 23:53 Networking and Warm Connections
• 25:56 Breaking Out of the D1 or Bust Mindset
• 26:18 Choosing Best Fit
• 28:07 The Division Label
• 34:45 Transition to College Soccer
• 44:43 The College Experience

Book a call today : https://templeathlete.com/strategy?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=notre-dame-graczyk&utm_content=ep13-description

Nobody prepares athletes for what actually happens when they step onto a college soccer field for the first time. In episode 17, Grant and Erik pull back the curtain on everything families don't talk about — the off-field life shock, the physical and tactical gap between club and college, competing against older and more experienced players, navigating team culture as a freshman, and what actually determines whether a kid earns minutes in year one.

They also get into the US men's national team's World Cup exit, what it reveals about the deeper structural problems in American soccer development, and why the college game's current format may be part of the problem.

If your athlete is preparing for this transition — or you want to understand what they are actually walking into — this episode is required listening.

Chapters

• 00:00 Transitioning to College Soccer
• 05:35 Challenges for Freshmen Athletes
• 11:23 Differences in College Soccer
• 21:04 Adversity and Mindset in College Soccer
• 26:00 Tactical Considerations in College Soccer
• 28:59 Fitness Demands and Role Acceptance
• 30:04 Understanding Your Role and Accountability
• 32:22 Differences Between Club and College Soccer
• 34:10 Challenges in College Soccer Culture
• 36:15 Fitting into the Team Culture and Leadership
• 39:21 Development for College vs. National Team Soccer

Book a call today : https://templeathlete.com/strategy?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=notre-dame-graczyk&utm_content=ep13-description

It is early July. Club season is winding down. College coaches are six weeks from preseason. And most families are taking their foot off the gas at exactly the wrong time.

In episode 16, Grant and Erik break down what is actually happening in the college soccer world right now — what coaches are doing, what they are looking for, and why this specific window between seasons is one of the most underutilized opportunities in the entire recruiting process.

They also get into why so many families end up in a hamster wheel of uncertainty, what unofficial summer visits actually look like, how to build a real target list before August, and why treating recruiting advisory as a luxury instead of a necessity is one of the most expensive mistakes a family can make.

No guests this week. Just real talk about what is happening right now and what to do about it.

Chapters

• 00:00 The World of Soccer
• 05:00 Recruiting and Commitment Timelines
• 10:21 Time Management and Visits
• 17:23 Opportunity Cost of Inaction
• 24:17 Building Relationships and Progress
• 30:04 Confidence and Preparation
• 39:36 Taking Control of Recruiting
• 46:29 Hope and Expectations for the USA Game

Book a call today : https://templeathlete.com/strategy?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=notre-dame-graczyk&utm_content=ep13-description

The episode features a discussion on the World Cup excitement, updates from the NCAA, the impact of the five-year rule, recruiting implications, roster management challenges, coaching decisions, recruiting strategy, considerations for student-athletes, impact on youth soccer and college programs, challenges for coaches, recruiting realities, discussion on the full-year season, concerns and questions on the season schedule, committee and NCAA decision-making, momentum and impact of the World Cup, and updates on rule changes including the transfer portal and roster adjustments.

The conversation covers a range of topics, including the personalized recruiting landscape, finding the best fit, relief and reassurance in the recruiting process, the cultural impact of the World Cup, the global growth of soccer, the impact of the expanded World Cup format, the high stakes and unpredictability of the game, the World Cup experience in LA, anticipation for the next game, and the conclusion and gratitude for the support. The hosts also discuss the unifying power of the World Cup and the diversity of play styles, emphasizing the impact of MLS on CONCACAF and the global growth of the game.

Chapters

• 00:00 World Cup Excitement
• 05:35 Roster Management Challenges
• 10:45 Coaches' Approach and Recruiting Guidance
• 16:37 Committee and NCAA Decision-Making
• 22:13 Personalized Recruiting Landscape
• 28:22 World Cup Cultural Impact
• 33:49 Diversity of Play Styles
• 40:14 World Cup Experience in LA

Book a free strategy call with TAAG: https://templeathlete.com/strategy?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=notre-dame-graczyk&utm_content=ep13-description

June 15th just passed — the date D1 and D2 coaches can officially start communicating directly with rising juniors. In Episode 14, Grant and Erik break down what that date actually means in today's recruiting landscape, why it is not the milestone most families think it is, and what a sophomore going into junior year should actually be doing right now.

They also get into ID camps. It is summer. The emails are flooding in. And the question every family is asking is the same one — is this school actually interested or are we just filling a roster spot for the weekend? Erik answers that directly and breaks down the difference between camps that move the needle and camps that drain your wallet.

No guests this week. Just two brothers with real answers to the questions families are actually asking.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Significance of June 15th
• 15:20 The Communication Window
• 21:51 Proactive Decision-Making
• 29:36 Maintaining a Strategic Approach
• 36:22 Preparation and Execution

New episodes every Friday. Follow on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify! HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON!!!

Book a free strategy call with TAAG: https://templeathlete.com/strategy?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=notre-dame-graczyk&utm_content=ep13-description