Coming out of high school, Trevor Dalton had several Division I soccer scholarship offers on the table. In the end, Dalton ultimately chose to continue his soccer career at the University of Rhode Island. However, as he admits, it wasn't an easy decision, and took him a while to come to it. 

Trying to decide on the best fit for you when you have several offers on the table is something that is not often discussed when it comes to recruiting. Most of the talk is centered around getting the offers in the first place. Throughout this article, we will share Dalton's experience and how he dealt with this through his own words.

Related: Using Coach Ratings to Choose a College Team

Why URI?

When asked about the thing that stood out in terms of what made him choose URI, Dalton replied, “The main reason as to why I chose URI was due to the coaching staff, the facilities, and the location. When I first met the coaches, we made an instant connection and I knew they would be a huge help for me in college. Also, the facilities here at URI are some of the best I have ever seen.” This is why it's super important to meet the coaches in person in order to really get a feel for how they are. The best advice will always include meeting the coaches and touring the campus and its facilities before coming to a concrete decision.

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Dalton had another major reason as to why he chose URI: “​​When I went on the visit, I could instantly tell that the team was much closer to each other then the other teams I had visited,” he recalled. “I think that this bond was a huge reason why I chose URI and ultimately it was why we ended up winning two A10 championships during my time here.” From this quote, you can tell that it is also just as important to meet the current student-athletes on the team if applicable. Just by meeting them and being around them you can see the type of culture that they live and play by.

How to Overcome Being Overwhelmed

Dalton was the first to admit that he felt overwhelmed at times when trying to come to a decision, an experience many athletes across the country can surely relate to. In Dalton's experience, he turned to his family and his older brother for invaluable advice. “For me, it was my parents and my brother who helped me relax and ultimately come to a decision,” he said. “I just wanted to pick the right school that fit me well athletically, academically, and socially. It was really good that I took my time in making my decision because I've been very satisfied with the decision I made.” 

It's important in any facet of life to have someone or something to turn to when things get hard and overwhelming. In this case, Dalton, and fellow athletes out there, are making a decision that determines the next four years of their life. Choosing a college to attend means that you are selecting a place to live, continue your education, and in the case of athletes, your athletic career as well.

The recruiting process is hard enough but deciding on where to go to school when you have multiple choices to pick from can be extremely difficult and overwhelming. Each person will value each of these things differently, but each is important in their own right. Remember your personal priorities when making your decision.

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* Originally published on May 24, 2022, by Ashton Grenon