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Post by Dean on Apr 18, 2015 21:21:38 GMT -6
It would be interesting to hear from some of the local players/coaches to know of the valley players weren't actively recruited or simply chose to attend a different school. I think it's a point with further discussion. If they weren't recruited then why not or if they didn't choose the school why not. Either outcome needs to be reviewed and addressed.
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Post by jamesbaxter on Apr 18, 2015 23:16:30 GMT -6
There are 2 local players on the team. One from utb who went to hanna. The other who is the captain and leading goal scorer for rivera who just won state and are ranked #2 in the nation. I would say that is a pretty huge grab.
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Post by William T. Riker on Apr 19, 2015 5:04:32 GMT -6
Before this blows up in a larger discussion, let's be fair and realistic about the Rivera state championship. Congrats to them, but, as I am familiar with youth soccer, they are not playing against anyone of importance. Why? The best high school soccer players in San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and Houston do not play high school soccer. They play in the U.S. Developmental Academy and these players are not allowed to play in high school: www.ussoccer.com/development-academy/faqsLook under the participation headline after you click on the link for the specific no high school rule. Most of these academies are free, the MLS ones anyway, while the ones sponsored by San Antonio Classics or Houston Challenge are quite inexpensive. This is the highest level of the game in Texas and we have to be honest with ourselves...our high school players from the RGV play against second and third rate players from everywhere else. I would hope that if such a program existed in the RGV our top players will stop playing high school as well. So, that being said, let's not give the men's program at UTRGV too much of a hard time about not recruiting more valley kids. Their success is unfortunately inflated due to these facts, however I say that not to take away from the success, but to make sure people understand the situation.
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Post by Dean. on Apr 19, 2015 11:04:14 GMT -6
William, I get your point but I feel that recruiting should start in the valley, then expand to Texas, then expand to the rest of the U.S, then expand internationally. I suppose my point is that I highly doubt that five players from Finland are likely to be better than five players available at least from Texas. Again, we won't know for another few months but I'm pretty certain I'm correct.
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Post by Dean.. on Apr 19, 2015 17:05:22 GMT -6
William, I would like to add that if it's thought that the valley kids aren't at the level to be recruited in numbers (I disagree) but if that is case being made about the undefeated local team then I would suggest that these "ID" camps being run should put that disclaimer in the brochure instead of using false hope for a profit. I'm aware of players in the valley who attended with the expectation that players from the valley would be able to compete at the necessary level. They should get a refund and the community should be losses as some don't have the discretionary income to waste. Just be honest with people don't be dishonest to fill a camp and make a profit. Ridiculous.
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Post by Luis on Apr 19, 2015 20:27:03 GMT -6
I have been in the Valley for 8 years now & have seen quite a few high school games this year. In my opinion Chelin (Isidro) Martinez from Rivera is the best player for me by quite a bit (again, in my opinion). So I want to see how he will do at Division I, before I criticize the coach for not taking more Valley players. If he comes in and does very well, then hopefully UTPA/UTRGV will recruit more Valley players. If he is the best player (best senior) in the Valley, and he struggles, then maybe they will be justified taking only a handful of Valley players? I am a huge fan of soccer in the RGV, and would love to see them all play Division I, but I'm also smart enough to realize that the coach needs to win games or they will find somebody else who can. If UTPA is getting the very best Valley kids, then at least we will have a gauge to how the Valley kids will do at that level.
One other thing I am hearing is that there will be at least a few more Valley players added to the roster. Good to hear. They only announced 14 players, which obviously won't be their entire team. I'm not sure why they haven't announced everyone (maybe some haven't been cleared by the NCAA?), but obviously they will have more than 14 players on the roster this fall. I have only met Paul Leese once... he seemed very nice and genuinely interested in Valley soccer. I have seen him a number of times out at high school games this spring. So at least he is out there seeing what the Valley has to offer. I am indifferent on the number of foreign players, until I see what they can do.
Again, no way trying to defend anything... I am just curious to how the top Valley players will do at the Division I level. More than anything, I am really excited at the growth of soccer in the community with UTRGV and the Houston Dynamo II both starting within the year. It will be nice not to have to drive to Houston or San Antonio if I want to see a high level game. I look forward to catching as many games as I can this fall. Does anyone have a schedule, or know how many home games they will have?
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Post by BooJ on Apr 20, 2015 10:02:02 GMT -6
Thanks for the info guys. Congrats to Rivera state champs !! They said they will 24 scholarships. I hope at least 10 or so worthy Valley players can be convinced to be Vaqueros and certainly a few more Texans from Houston, San Antonio, and other places. % student athletes from Finland? and one from Tobago or was it Jamaica? Mind boggling to me, but I'm sure this new coach is just now HOPEFULLY trying to get in good with the local coaches, players, and soccer community. I am excited for that new pro junior team as well and for soccer in the Valley. GO VAQUEROS !!!
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Post by Bob on Apr 20, 2015 10:11:34 GMT -6
They have 9 scholarship, that is the maximum allowed by the NCAA. And I don't believe they will have all 9 the first year, I think they may have a 3rd of that for the first year. That means 21-28 players on the team, but only 3 scholarships amongst all of them.
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Post by Sean . on Apr 20, 2015 18:16:56 GMT -6
It's official. Dan Balaguero will be joining Brown University as the Associate head coach for Mens soccer. This will be my last post, but I have enjoyed the discussion and thank all who participated. My final thoughts: 1. It's a shame that a coach who dedicated 8 years to the valley, built a team from scratch, and went 24-0 last year was not afforded the opportunity to continue what he started in the valley. A loss for the Valley and a gain for Brown. 2. To Chris King UTPA AD - In my opinion you've made a lot of bad hiring/firing decisions but pushing out a coach that went 24-0 is probably the worst and most cold hearted decision of them all. Even trumps the firing of other coaches who "don't fit the culture". I do wish you well in your job search, I'm pulling for you, and I suspect I'm not the only one. I just hope you aren't filling out those job applications during normal office hours. I also think the expensive trip to Hawaii for the golf team while you were applying for a job there is a little questionable. I've also wondered about the details of the check written to the golf coach you fired as it's surprising that the coach would even get a check and that the school wouldn't just pay the WAC fees directly. 3. To Paul Leese: I wish you all the best, enjoy it, it's a great opportunity. 4. To the coaches and staff in the Athletic department: You have the talent and resources to do great things for the Valley. Don't let Chris King UTPA AD hold you back. I'm sure it can get tough when you know that you could be fired on a whim and that your leader is ready to jump ship to whatever is the dream job of the month. Stick together, don't get bullied by Chris and good things will happen.
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Post by William T. Riker on Apr 21, 2015 15:08:48 GMT -6
I think we will miss you Sean and please come back, especially at the end of the season. We will need to have you either tell everyone "I told you so" or you have to come back and take it if UTRGV does well.
Dan at Brown....seems appropriate....NAIA head coach from the top team goes to be a NCAA D1 assistant. Perhaps after a few years he will be ready for a UTRGV.
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Post by William T. Riker on May 10, 2015 20:16:20 GMT -6
Very silent lately! Nothing more?
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Post by Bob on Sept 18, 2015 17:15:24 GMT -6
Yes! Finally they hired someone to help fix the damage and poor decision from Chris king. It's a shame it game after the merger but at least now there is some hope that Chris kings ego and poor self serving decisions can be vetted. I'm exited. Hopefully it's the first step in getting a new better qualified ad. Wonder if the coaching staff is going out for happy hour. Congrats to the new hire dr. Paul sale!
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Post by BooJ on Sept 19, 2015 14:41:03 GMT -6
Yes Bob, it looks like a real good hire with Dr. Sale. I'm new to this conversation. I am a home grown lifer of Edinburg and UTPA grad and I will support UTRGV 100%. I must say I was surprised with hiring of Coach Leese. I am going to the games and I do hope we can grow into a soccer power in the WAC and nationally. I am not politically inclined for the most part, but culturally and psycho-socially I will speak out and even fight for integrity and for our "wholesome RGV voice and spirit" to be upheld throughout our entire new UTRGV academically, athletically, and otherwise. For us to have any success in any area at this institution we have to be who we are. I have seen coaches come and go, especially basketball, who don't appear to give much of a hang for the Valley. This kind of infiltration and manipulation of others from elsewhere who might not have sincere intentions to truly be part of our community must STOP! The Valley is a special place and our DNA is championship caliber people wise, academically, athletically, and otherwise. We need to actively ensure that our administration, professors, staff, and students ALL get a penetrating good soaking of our truest spirit and values. I am not finished on the subject, though I comment on other sports on this forum as well. Go UTRGV Vaqueros and Vaqueras! God bless us all !!
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Post by Bob on Sept 19, 2015 18:31:16 GMT -6
Booj, thanks for sharing and I agree with all you say. What a great opportunity for the valley. I still strongly believe Chris king ad is the last obstacle to success. I point to the firing of dan Balaguero as a prime example after all the success he had in valley, it was unheard of. Look at his results. He was an outright winner. Chris king ad is not. Now with Chris kings leadership both the mens and women's soccer teams will really struggle to even have a shot at winning 4 games each this year. Hopefully Paul can mitigate the damage from Chris and once again allow the advance of soccer in the valley. The resources are there, I believe the moral is not. If dan Balaguero can be fired after all be did imagine how the other coaches must feel. Chris king needs to go, and he's not been shy about his self serving constant search for green pastures and his lack of empathy for the careers of others
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