The Magical Recruiting Seasons: Spring and Summer 2016

Spring is upon us, which means the domes are coming down and grass fields are being lined.  Cross our fingers we don't get any spring snowstorms that will hinder our Spring and Summer recruiting efforts!

Every weekend of recruiting means an opportunity to find Future Gusties.  It also means we can continue to build our relationship, evaluate your play and provide you with feedback as to where we see you fitting into our program.

Read through the list of tournaments, showcases and cups we plan to attend over the next 4+ months; if your team will be attending any of them, please send us an email (Coach Burnett-Kurie, lburnett@gustavus.edu or Assistant Coach Benton Frayne, bfrayne@gustavus.edu) with your schedule! Make sure to include in the email your Name, Graduation Year, Team, Game Schedule, Jersey Number and Position.  Bonus information would be your mailing address, contact number and the home and away colors of your team uniforms!

May 2015

May 2-5th: MN State Cup Play In Games
May 7-8th: MN State Cup in North Mankato, MN 

May 14-15th: MN State Cup in North Mankato, MN 

May 21-22nd: MN State Cup Semi-Finals and Finals in North Mankato, MN 

June 2016

June 15-16th: CollegeGoal ID Camp in St. Paul, MN
June 17-19th: MTA Academy College Showcase in Rosemount, MN 

June 24-29th: US Youth Soccer Region II Championships in Westfield, IN

June 24-16th: Prairie Cup in Eden Prairie, MN 

June 28-July 1st: Midwest Elite Soccer Camp at Hamline University, Session I 

July 5-8th: Midwest Elite Soccer Camp at Hamline University, Session II

July 2016

July 6-9th: Gustavus High School Girls Soccer Camp (GREAT RECRUITING OPPORTUNITY!!) 

July 15-17th: USA Cup Weekend in Blaine, MN 

July 19-23rd: Schwans Cup Week in Blaine, MN
July 28-29th: College Search Kickoff (CSK) in Muscatine, IA 

If you are attending a showcase that is not listed above, send us an email to let us know and we will do our very best to get out and see you play!  We also enjoy watching league games, so please send us your upcoming league game schedule as well as showcase schedules. 

Tournament/Showcase Schedules can be sent to: Coach Burnett-Kurie; lburnett@gustavus.edu or Assistant Coach Benton Frayne; bfrayne@gustavus.edu

Waffles With Benton

What better way to celebrate his one year anniversary of joining the Gustavus Women's Soccer Program than WAFFLES WITH BENTON?!  Having breakfast and getting to know Coach Benton a little bit better was such a sweet treat.  I (Junior Jana Elliott) always leave with a smile on my face after talking to the coaches, but after this conversation of laughs, it was too good not to share with you...

So, it's now your time to realize how awesome Benton is and why we love having him as a coach at Gustavus.  He is so intelligent on the field, and a pretty cool dude off of it...


1. What did Benton do over J-Term?
Since he has his other job, it was a lot of work. He also went to Florida and got his Advanced National Diploma for coaching through the NSCAA. This was over his 30th Birthday. He also spent time with his family, "did the Christmas thing, pretty low-key."

2. What’s a winter tradition he does with his family, if any?
They always go to a movie when they celebrate Christmas and then come back and open presents. The first time he remembers going was to go see the first Toy Story because he thought it was cool that the toys came alive.

3. Who is Benton's favorite professional player?
David Beckham because it is "the perfect storm of him being good, of him being famous, of him marrying a spice girl. We played the same position and him revolutionizing the position by him being dominant at one skill." And I asked Benton, "which was?" So quickly, and without hesitation he answered, “Crushin’ balls” (aka accurate long passes).

4. Most memorable moment of His soccer career?
Benton's last summer soccer season because they were a pretty good team. It was a big game against his team (the #2 seed) and the #1 seed, and he scored a gimme goal late in the game. Probably looking a little ridiculous, but relishing in the sweet moment, Benton took off his jersey and whipped it around his head. It was the game winning goal.

5. What is Benton's hidden talent?
"I don't know if it’s a talent, because I'm not really talented at anything but...compassion, being able to put myself in other people’s shoes, relate to their situation and being there to support them in time of need." This helps give him an edge as a soccer coach because it is hard to connect with players if you cannot relate to them, and he does a phenomenal job with us and all of his players.

6. If he could live anywhere in the world, where in the world would we find Benton, and why?
"When I’ve imagined this, I've always imagined myself wealthy enough to have smaller dwellings in multiple places."

Dwelling #1: An apartment in New York City. He likes the city life, but not enough to have it be his permanent home. He would enjoy people watching, going to the MET, Broadway shows, and sitting court side at the Knicks games.

Dwelling #2: Have something tropical. It doesn't matter where, just to get away from the cold.

Dwelling #3: In Minnesota, he would like to convert a barn into a house. By growing up in Iowa, it gives him the feel of home. It would be a dream to have "wide open spaces, a flexible floor plan…house would be pretty epic."

7. What is the best part of his job here at Gustavus?
The best part of Benton's job here at Gustavus is being around the team - " With any relationship you get to know each other and be real, the relationship just keeps growing everyday."

8. Highlight of his first season with the team?
"The Hamline game…we had been good, but it was the first game we had something on the line…its was an important game…the way we squeezed out the win in overtime was quite the accomplishment to hang our hats on, that we finished second in regular season."

9. What did Benton enjoy studying the most in school?
He had a coaching minor so those classes were his favorite. He had to coach different sports too, so it was a challenge to figure out a new game and come up with a philosophy for that and then tie it into thinking about how he thinks soccer should be played.

10. Most epic embarrassing moment
In Disney world as a family, his mom gave him and his brother camel packs instead of water bottles while at the park. The two were leaving the park together and Coach B needed a bathroom, but they got on the pivot bus back to the hotel instead. Thinking he could make it all the way back to the hotel without relieving himself, the bus had to stop at a hotel just before theirs. Little B didn't make it to the bathroom and wet himself. His brother felt bad, pushed Benton into the pool after so no one knew he wet himself.

11. Favorite breakfast food?
BACON -would eat bacon on anything. Has eaten a pound of bacon in one sitting and within the last week.

12. How would Benton spend his ideal Sunday?
Sleeping in. 9 hours of watching football

13. Motto to live by?
Find what makes you happy, and just do it.

14. Best advice from Benton's mom?
"She’s a pretty smart lady… 'treat a game like it’s practice…get out of your own head, it’s a bad neighborhood.' 'Do you want to facilitate recess the rest of your life?"...changed his path in life. 

"Grandma said…'I never did see straight with the world.'”

15. What’s something that makes Benton happy?
"Completing a workout, winning soccer games. Having a positive influence with soccer players, whether it be at Gustavus or at Mankato United. It's a great feeling to have when players remember the things you helped them with, it feels like you’re making an impact."


16. 3 CD’s Benton would want with him on a deserted island?
Melissa Ethridge –Brave and Crazy
Rage against the machine –Bulls on parade
TV on the Radio - no specific disk 

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY BENTON!

Do you have other questions for Benton?  Ask him at bfrayne@gustavus.edu 

DIII Week April 4th-10th!

WHAT IS DIVISION III WEEK?
Simply, it is a celebration of your campus and conference's outstanding student-athletes. Division III Week is an opportunity for all individuals associated with a Division III institution or conference to recognize the powerful impact of athletics and student-athletes on the campus and surrounding community.


HOW IS OUR CAMPUS GETTING INVOLVED?
During April 4-10, Gustavus DIII athletes will participate in:

1. Window Painting in the Marketplace on Tues., April 5 @ 7pm. All teams are encouraged to participate.
2. Table event on Thursday, April 7 outside the Marketplace. We will table about our connection with Special Olympics and sign a pledge to End the R-Word #RESPECT campaign:
3. We wil also be highlighting 1 male and 1 female athlete throughout the week. Course has a list of student-athletes who will be highlighted.
4. SAVE will be kicking off our Gusties on the Go Bike program.

• ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE: Passion and sportsmanship are attributes of the "athlete" in the Division III "student-athlete" paradigm. The athlete plays for the love of the game, strives for excellence in all facets of life and perseveres through adversity. During Division III Week, celebrate the athletic component of our identity - a true homage to the symbiotic relationship of athletics and higher education- by hosting a banquet for your student-athletes or a clinic for local youth teams.


• ACADEMIC ACCOMPLISHMENT: In Division III, we realize the classroom is the primary setting for preparing student-athletes. However, Division III also understands academics are more than just GPAs, test scores and majors; it is a comprehensive learning experience that develops successful leaders and professionals.


• LEADERSHIP/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Citizenship and responsibility are Division III attributes. Student-athletes giving back not only adds to the comprehensive learning component of Division III, but also provides a venue for passion and service. While Division III institutions are encouraged to engage in a Special Olympics activity during Division III Week, other possible activations include: organizing a leadership symposium; scheduling a motivational speaker; or engaging with another community service partner or charity.

Make Your Summer Sizzle

It started as a rumor, turned into a quiet mumbling, then the level raised to lunch time conversations and now it's at a full roar (Lion pun intended).

The Gustavus Soccer Camps are open for REGISTRATION! 

Four years running strong, the Gustavus Soccer Camps by IN2 Soccer are, by popular demand, back.  Once again, we will be offering two soccer camps at Gustavus Adolphus College: 

June 19-22nd, 2016 - Co-Ed Youth Soccer Camp, ages 8-17

July 6-9th, 2016 - High School Girls Soccer Camp, grades 9-12

More information can be found at: GACsoccercamps.com, including our camp brochures with mail in registration as well as online registration (note: there is a non-refundable credit card fee if you pay online, mail in registration via check is free).  You can also learn more about our camp philosophies below. 

Camp philosophies are ordered based on the dates of the camp.  Please scroll down for the High School Girls Camp information.  

Co-Ed Youth Camp, June 19-22nd:  

Our Gustie Soccer Co-Ed Youth Camp is a positive resource for soccer players, ages 8-17, across the midwest.  All campers will receive quality instruction, experience a positive learning environment and have fun during the week.  Each session focuses on individual skill training, in the context of team play, progressing from drills to small sided games.  We encourage players from various backgrounds and abilities to attend as we always strive to keep camp numbers smaller (coach to player ratio is under 1:8) to allow for individual attention and coaching from our qualified staff. 

High School Girls Camp, July 6-9th: 

The Gustavus High School Girls Camp challenges high school players to take their skills to the next level through advanced player development and exposure to NCAA collegiate coaching.  We focus on the individual player, in the context of team play, emphasizing possession, speed of play, technical development and improvement of tactical understanding.  

What makes the Gustavus High School Girls Soccer Camp UNIQUE is that we target high school soccer players who are preparing to take their game to the next level, both on and off the field, will benefit from this camp.  Through quality position based coaching college level sessions and evening matches utilizing different formations, participants will be prepared to succeed at the next level.  Daily presentations will also be offered, focusing on maximizing exposure in the recruiting process, optimal performance in strength and conditioning and injury prevention.  

Unbeatable Coaching Staff:

Some of our staff on Crazy Sock Day 

In order to provide the best camp experience for all campers, we must bring in the best coaching staff and we honestly believe we do that every summer.  Not only do we bring in high caliber coaches, but we also bring in our current college players and alums to enhance the camper experience.  Our coach to player ratio is below 1:8, which allows for our staff to get to know each and every camper to ensure they are enjoying their experience.

Emily Odermatt, current sophomore at Gustavus and starting Center Back for the GAC Women's Soccer Team

IN2 Soccer:

For the second year, Gustavus Soccer Camps will be run by IN2 Soccer.  IN2 Soccer was founded by Camp Director and Gustavus Head Women's Soccer Coach Laura Burnett-Kurie.  The mission of IN2 Soccer is to provide cost-effective, quality, age and skill appropriate, individually centered soccer instruction and programs.  With a foundation deeply rooted in the community, our philosophy is grounded in developing students of the game by creating a platform on which to develop speed, coordination, flexiblity, and balance along with technical prowess, tactical awareness and mental strength.  Want to learn more about IN2 Soccer?  Read about it on our camp website: http://www.gacsoccercamps.com/in2-soccer.cfm

Registration is OPEN: 

More information regarding our soccer camps, including registration can be found at GACsoccercamps.com.  Please note, if you register online there is a non-refundable credit card fee.  Mail in registration can be found on the brochures.



Help us spread the word so we can continue to provide unique opportunities for players to develop their game and reach the next level!

Return on Gustavus Education

At Gustavus we’re keenly aware of the investment you’re making in your child’s education, and that you’re keenly interested in the return on that investment.

Conventional return-on-investment (ROI) measures can be found throughout this site—and we have many to share, like those listed here in regards to our outstanding graduation and retention rates and our post-graduation placement rates. In addition, you will be able to see the outstanding companies where our graduates are finding employment, the range of salaries our graduates are reporting they are making, and the elite caliber of graduate schools they are attending.

Retention and Graduation Rates 

Rate	Gustavus Adolphus College	Peer Institutions	Annapolis Group	Minnesota Private Colleges	Minnesota State Universities*
1st to 2nd Year Retention Rate	92%	87%	89%	85%	74%
4 Year Graduation Rate	83%	70%	75%	65%	25%
5 Year Graduation Rate	84%	75%	78%	74%	0%
6 Year Graduation Rate	85%	78%	80%	76%	46%

* 5 year data not available

Gustavus graduates are well prepared to go out and “Make Their Lives Count” and statistics show that they are receiving a strong return on their investment. But, we are also aware that the true return on an investment like Gustavus is impossible to capture in financial terms alone, and therefore marginalized by rankings and polls that measure only those terms.

So at Gustavus we're launching COLLEGE R.O.E. (Return on Education), a multi-year initiative to capture the holistic return on a college investment, spanning and measuring "returns" on dimensions of finance to faith and everything that counts in between.  

To learn more about COLLEGE R.O.E. and how you can get involved please go to the following website which will provide you with a plethora of information regarding the Return on Gustavus Education.  If the link does not work, copy and paste the following into your web browser: https://gustavus.edu/roe/index.php