RECRUITING
Thank you for your interest in the women's soccer program at the University of Puget Sound (UPS). I am pleased with the direction of our program and am excited about our future prospects! I offer the following information in an effort to answer any questions you may have about the opportunities available through women’s soccer at Puget Sound.
The University of Puget Sound is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III and the Northwest Conference (NWC). Our conference is extremely competitive and includes eight other independent institutions from Washington and Oregon.
Our program offers talented athletes an opportunity to develop and compete in a national caliber environment. In 2004, we finished the season ranked #2 in the country after a difficult loss on penalty kicks in the NCAA National Championship game. In 2005, we made another deep run in the National Tournament ending the season ranked #5 in the country and #1 in the West Region. In fact, the Loggers have won four consecutive Northwest Conference Championships, four consecutive West Region Championships, and have advanced to the NCAA Sectional Finals (“Elite Eight”) and beyond for four consecutive years! In addition, 8 members of the 2005 team were selected to the All-Northwest Conference team (including the Offensive Player of the Year, as well as, the Defensive Player of the Year); 7 were selected to the All-West Region team; 2 players were selected to the NSCAA/Adidas DIII All-America First team; and the 2005 NCAA Division III National Player of the Year was named from our program.
Puget Sound is recognized as one of the best programs in the country. We draw Division I caliber student-athletes who are looking for a genuine educational experience -- that is, a well-rounded collegiate experience that emphasizes academics over athletics, meaningful student-faculty interaction and individual student development over huge lecture hall settings. We seek student-athletes who will share and be committed to our ultimate program goal of winning a national championship AND having the highest team grade point average in the country in the same year!
Off-field success has been a cornerstone of the women’s program. Our program’s philosophy is designed around minimizing conflicts with classes and allowing student-athletes the time they need to excel academically. In 2005, a number of our players received National, District, and Conference recognition for their achievements in the classroom. The honors received included two selections to the Academic All-America team, four selections to the NSCAA Scholar All-America team, three student-athletes named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District team, and seven student-athletes from our program achieved Academic All-Northwest Conference honors.
Open tryouts are held each year in August where 20-25 players are selected for the permanent roster. No returning spots are guaranteed, so your impact to the program can be immediate.
Financial aid in the form of academic scholarships, need based grants, guaranteed student loans, college work-study and a host of other resources are available to qualified students. Although athletic scholarships are not allowed in NCAA Division III, the average financial package at the University of Puget Sound is nearly $18,000. You will need to apply for admission and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 1, 2007 for priority consideration. You may obtain the necessary forms by calling 253-879-3214 or 800-396-7192.
We bring together highly motivated student athletes who are committed to discovering their full potential. If you would like further details about our women's soccer program, please contact me via e-mail or phone. I truly believe that your education and soccer experience at the University of Puget Sound will be one of the best in the country.
Regards,
Randy Hanson
Head Women's Soccer Coach
University of Puget Sound
1500 North Warner Street
Tacoma, WA 98416-1044
253-879-3587
rhanson@ups.edu
