Every year, more than 100,000 high school seniors who play soccer at club, high school and USSDA levels graduate, but only the top 1-2% will go on to play soccer at a four year college.
It's not easy, and it's not supposed to be.
But soccer give our boys the motivation - and the means - to make the leap. Most of our 2005 players are lower income and would be the first in their family to attend a four year university.
And in Santa Barbara, we have something special.
Not only have our boys played for years with and against players who are now competing at the highest levels, according to American Soccer Now, Santa Barbara County produces more professional level soccer players per capita than almost any other metro area in the United States.
Why is this? UCSB is consistently one of the top 25 best soccer colleges in the United States, and when these players graduate, they tend to stick around and help coach. Also, local and regional youth leagues like the Santa Barbara Revolution Youth Soccer League have kids playing soccer year round from the age of u7 on up, and it adds up.
As a result, local clubs and high schools like Santa Barbara High School are consistently ranked top in the country, and other local high schools like San Marcos, Dos Pueblos, and Santa Ynez are right there, just behind them.
Ok, great. But how does this help the kids?
One example. To be eligible to play high school soccer, all players must maintain a 2.0 grade point average each quarter, along with meeting behavior and attendance requirements.
This may seem simple, but for many students-athletes, this is the first time they have been held accountable by the school to maintain this kind of academic performance.
And not only does soccer provide the motivation for our players to meet that high school eligible Grade Point Average minimum, it also provides the tools (even though the student athletes may not be aware of it) like discipline, focus, resilience - that are necessary to excel academically.
In addition, we are looking to partner and provide the academic support necessary to help the players not only to become and stay high school eligible thru the school year, but also be college ready by their senior year.
We are currently applying for 501(c)(3) status - expected by August 2020 - and are actively accepting sponsors, and - most urgently - donations to support our teams for the upcoming 2020 season.
Our goal is to operate Santa Barbara Revolution as a true, community-based nonprofit, and to bring our select teams - ideally five for the boys and five for the girls - on as fully funded, 100% scholarship - training, fields, uniforms, league and tournament fees, all paid for - for all players selected.
Please donate what you can today to help the 2005 boys and their families. Thank you!
You may contact us here for more information.