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The state of Wisconsin is not what you would call a recruiting hot bed for Division 1 soccer prospects. However, at the same time, there is high quality soccer being played by a number of scholarship worthy athletes. So what is the disconnect here? Many have their own theories as to why Wisconsin soccer players lack serious interest from Division 1 programs. Some point to weak competition, others to perceived player development deficiencies, or absence of top-notch coaches. Whatever preconceptions may exist, it is certain that the state of Wisconsin has been overlooked. Two prime examples of this are Aaron Calkins and Cheenuj Shong.

Aaron Calkins is a 6’1” senior forward from Winnebago Lutheran Academy. He is currently the state’s leading goal scorer. Calkins has amassed a staggering 36 goals to go with 13 assists through 18 games. What is even more impressive is that Calkins is on track to duplicate his state leading 2010-2011 performance which saw him score 54 goals and 19 assists. Aaron also has all the accolades one would expect from a player of his caliber, being rewarded with First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Area and Honorable Mention All-State honors in 2010. In 2011, he appears to be one of the front-runners for the Player of Year award, and a sure bet First Team All-State honoree. With a player as accomplished as Calkins is, one would expect a long list of Division 1 offers. Surprisingly enough, that has not been the case.

No offers have been made by any Division 1 school as of yet and only minimal interest has been expressed. As of right now, Aaron has Southern Illinois and Clark College (Iowa) as the only schools seriously expressing interest. Coach Haag reported, “Western Illinois has also been showing more than average interest.” Clark College has been showing the most interest and according to Coach Haag, “…right now he's leaning toward going to Clark.”

Cheenuj Shong’s recruiting situation has been very similar to Calkins. Like Aaron, Cheenuj has been one of the state’s best, receiving First Team All-Conference, and Honorable Mention All-Area in 2010, after leading the Milwaukee City Conference in goals scored with 23. This year, the senior midfielder has torched the nets, putting up an impressive 26 goals, which is good enough for third best amongst all players. Shong has helped lead his team to a top 10 ranking in the division 1 field, and has Milwaukee Reagan/WCLL 13-1-0 on the season. Despite all of his achievements, including maintaining a 3.8 GPA, and being a scholar student, Cheenuj has not had any serious Division 1 attention.

Coach Tim Magner said Cheenuj has seen minor interest from Marquette, Milwaukee, and Green Bay but nothing significant enough to suggest a scholarship offer is on the horizon. The most proactive school during Cheenuj’s recruitment has been Wisconsin Lutheran College, as well as most of the instate Division 3 schools. Coach Magner explained that Cheenuj really wants to get a Division 1 scholarship offer and has been working real hard on and off the soccer field to achieve that goal.

Cheenuj and Aaron are two high quality soccer players who will go on to play in college at some level. Despite the lack of interest, each player has had an outstanding season, and high school career. Hopefully they efforts will pay off.