College Soccer News: What Does Academy of Art University Look For in a Soccer Player?

SoccerNation News Exclusive Series on What College Coaches Want. Applying to colleges and trying to get identified to play for a prestigious college or university takes time, planning and a strategy for success.  

SoccerNation interviewed top college coaches and asked the real questions. Every college coach said the same thing; learn everything you can about the college team you want to play for. Show you are interested and contact the coaches you want to play for.

Interview with Victor Benavides Assistant Men’s Coach Academy of Art University

Was assistant coach for the Notre Dame de Namur University men and women's soccer programs from 1995 to 2008 before coming to Art U.  Benavides brought the women’s team to nationals twice and the men’s team once. He began his collegiate soccer career playing two years for Skyline College where he won Junior Championship. Benavides then transferred to NDNU, playing for the Argos from 1993 to 1994.

Academy of Art and Academy of Art Athletics at a Glance

Gneral Information Undergrad Enrollment: 12,196 - Total Enrollment: 17,711 - NCAA Division II - Location: San Francisco

Most Popular Majors: Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects; Fashion/Apparel Design; Cinematography and Film/Video Production; Illustration; and Interior Design.

SNN: How is Surf Cup XXXII? Are you finding possible camdidates for your University?

Victor Benavides: Surf Cup is excellent. There is a great group of players this year and this is the preeminent tournament on the West Coast so we are excited to come down to San Diego to attend and identify players.

SNN: How useful is Surf Cup in looking for / recruiting / identifying players vs. other soccer events throughout the country?

Victor Benavides

Victor Benavides:  Well I just came from a soccer event in Florida and the quality of soccer is much higher here at Surf Cup.

SNN: What type of players are you looking for?

Victor Benavides:  First and foremost, good students, good athletes, and good citizens.  They have to be able to contribute to the University.  We are a niche university, the only NCAA team with Art in the title, so a major focus is academics.

SNN: How would you describe your team's playing style?

Victor Benavides:  Our style is direct; we don’t play around with the ball too much.  We play quick, efficient, simple soccer.

SNN: If a player wants to play for your school, what steps should they take?

Victor Benavides: I recommend that players email first of all. Players should let us know they are interested in our University.  That’s what the players we are looking at today have done.  If you email us, we will make every effort to see you.

SNN: Do you ever talk to coaches to get a sense of the coach-ability of a player?

Victor Benavides:  We do, the conversations we have with the club coaches are very important to us. We respect youth club coaches highly.

SNN: How long does it take to make a decision about a player?

Victor Benavides:  Ideally we want to see a player 3-4 times.  Everyone can have a bad game so we really like to get as many chances as possible to see a player.

SNN:  What’s the biggest difference between college and club soccer?

Victor Benavides:  The speed of play is much faster in college.

SNN: What’s your favorite soccer team?

Victor Benavides:  My favorite soccer team in the world is the San Jose Earthquakes.

SNN: Who is your favorite player today?

Victor Benavides: My favorite players is Chris Wondolowski of the Earthquakes.

SNN: Thank you for your time.

Related Articles: Soccer Player's Guide to Harvard; Soccer Players Guide to Dartmouth College