The Sports Source / CaptainU - ???

Are these sites that allege to aid in soccer recruiting efforts worth it; simply a cash grab; or an easier way to doing something one could accomplish for free with some effort?

Captain U will send many e-mails saying your DD has been searched by a college. Do not spend money on that. Sign her up colleges that want to communicate with her will send a message through Captan U. We have received about three or four contact e-mails through the site. Only one school she was interested in.

Anyone with experience with "The Sports Source" college recruiting website/program?

Have used The Sport Source with both of my bb’s (yeah, know this is the girls side) – both benefited from their resources and did play at the collegiate level.  One played NCAA D3 (specific type of college), the other played NAIA in college.  D3 was all academic aid (grades pay) - NAIA was both academic and athletic (good chunk) aid.

Sport Source is not a recruiting service – couldn’t be further from one.  They do know the process and what it takes for an athlete to earn a roster spot, and that they do very well. They place a high value on kids finding the right academic first, then finding the right athletic/soccer fit second.  Really, that’s how it should be, but some like Captain U don’t really stress that side of it – at all.

Staff has great knowledge on NCAA eligibility rules (D1 won’t happen if you don’t know what's needed) all athletic affiliation offerings,  athletic scholarships( and what that really means), financial aid, college visits, grade-specific guidelines/ materials, and really how to get the ball rolling/have a plan.  Mentor support is included if you need it/want it/have questions about anything.Mentors are very upfront with athletes; that they have to be honest about their abilities (level), and that they must be an active/willing participant in the process, for it to succeed.

Players have a huge database they can search for every college soccer program out there (many we had never even known about).  It shows details on the soccer program and the college coaches contact info (you contact them directly).  It gives detail on the college itself – like what studies and degrees are offered, tuition, private/public, enrollment, etc.  Searches can be done based on whatever information/specifics you provide; a college list is created that matches what you are looking for.  Change the information on the search, the list changes etc.

Several clubs in North Texas use The Sport Source as their club College Program, for their high school age players.