USC Salkehatchie men's soccer held open tryout in Allendale

USC Salkehatchie hosted an open tryout and campus visit for its men’s soccer program on Jan. 11 at the USC Salkehatchie Soccer Field, 465 James Brandt Blvd in Allendale. The session began at 10:00 a.m. and combined on-field drills with campus tours and opportunities for prospective players to meet the coaching staff and current team members.

Participants worked through soccer activities designed to highlight fitness, ball skills and team play. Organizers asked players to bring cleats and shin guards and to present a recent sports physical; parents or guardians were required to accompany anyone under 18. Registration was limited and interested athletes were previously directed to the program’s athletics page for sign-up. For follow-up questions, Coach Bill Glass can be reached at 912-585-9415 or WAGlass@mailbox.sc.edu.

For Allendale residents, the tryout offered a direct pathway for local high school players to test for collegiate play without a lengthy trip. Hosting the event on campus also serves dual purposes: it gives coaches a close look at local talent while giving prospective students a first-hand view of USC Salkehatchie’s facilities and campus life. That combination can matter for a county where out-migration of young people is a recurring concern; sports recruitment is one of several tools small colleges use to attract and retain students.

Beyond player opportunities, one-day events like this generate modest local activity. Visiting families use gas, eat at nearby restaurants and sometimes book local lodging, providing short-term boosts to small businesses. More strategically, successful recruitment of local athletes can feed into enrollment figures and tuition revenue streams that support academic programs and campus services.

At the program level, open tryouts help coaches expand rosters without relying solely on scouting networks. For student-athletes, they cut travel costs and lower barriers to being seen by coaching staff. For the community, they create visible moments when the campus opens up to neighbors and families, reinforcing ties between the college and Allendale County.

Our two cents? If you or a family member tried out but couldn’t make it, call Coach Bill Glass or check the athletics site to learn about future opportunities, and be ready with cleats, a current sports physical and parent permission if under 18. Small steps like that can turn a pickup player into a college roster spot.