In soccer everything comes down to the finish. It’s the key moment when all the effort and buildup in play ends as a chance for a goal to be realized. Somewhere between training, skills and strategy, things fall into place for a few split seconds and a player can capitalize on an opportunity. Being ready for those moments is the essence of the sport.
The ‘EDP Pathway to College’ embodies this concept and encapsulates the culmination of a player’s journey through the EDP Soccer platform. Competitive development, college showcases, and recruiting education, as well as a cast of supporting partners, including performance, video, and technology come together to help clubs and their families take advantage of recruiting and academic opportunities.
Entering its fifth year of giving back to the soccer community, the EDP Foundation Academic Scholarship Program will continue to build upon its mission and help players finish strong by awarding up to six $2,500 academic scholarships in 2023. The EDP Foundation offers these scholarships to qualified soccer players who will be graduating high school and plan to continue their education at a college, university, or trade school.
Applications are now officially open. EDP Foundation Scholarship Committee will select candidates who demonstrate a commitment and respect to the game, their teammates, coaches, referees, and opponents as well as the greater community.
“These academic scholarships are one of the most effective programs that the EDP Foundation offers. They directly impact the future of many young athletes and help to propel them toward their career goals beyond soccer. In addition to creating avenues for EDP players to learn about the college experience and recruiting process, the EDP Foundation aims to inspire and empower student-athletes to further their educational aspirations,” states, Peter Gooding, Chairman of the EDP Foundation.
Applicant eligibility requirements include:
Individuals who have played soccer either recreationally or competitively.
Are graduating from an accredited high school during the current scholarship year AND seeking to continue their education at an accredited university, college, technical school, or trade school.
Awards are based on the applicant’s character and sportsmanship, not their level of soccer ability.
Applicants must submit the following materials:
Soccer Resume: Applicants should include their name, address, contact information (email/phone), soccer experience, and extra-curricular activities such as volunteer work, other sports involvement, or employment.
Soccer Essay: Applicants must respond in essay form to this question: How has your involvement in soccer shaped your character, and positively impacted your life outside of soccer? (Max. 500 words)
Letter(s) of Recommendation: Applicants should request and share one or more personal letters from a current or former soccer coaches.
The application deadline is Thursday, May 4, 2023, and the winners will be announced in June 2023. For more information about the scholarship program, visit: edpfoundation.org/scholarships.
The EDP Foundation strives to positively impact and enhance the development of the youth soccer players by connecting them with colleges to further their academics. Scholarship opportunities are intended to support bright, passionate, and ambitious students who are seeking to improve the world around them.
Here is what a past recipient winner had to say about their experience:
“I believe soccer has helped shape me into the person I am today. I’ve learned a lot of life lessons and a lot about myself through playing. I would describe myself as a hardworking player with a constant motivation to get better. …I think my work ethic on the field has helped me as a student in the classroom.”
Shane Landue
Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals '02 Boys Black Attending Alvernia University, Reading, PA
To learn more about past recipients, visit the EDP Foundation website.
The EDP Foundation's mission is to enable young players to reach their full potential on and off the field, with an emphasis on college or educational opportunities providing a full range of high-quality, soccer-related experiences.
EDP Soccer’s continued efforts to support youth players is based on the concept of soccer as a ‘Pathway to College.’ EDP understands that the majority of youth soccer players will pursue some form of higher education, while only a small percentage of the best players will have an opportunity to play in college. Further information regarding the EDP Foundation and how its programs help student-athletes prepare to advance their education can be found at edpfoundation.org.