TCS Exclusive Update on NCAA Men’s Soccer Split Season Initiative

January 21, 2016

By: Chris LeGates, TCS Co-host

A few weeks ago in our Friday Five (F-5) newsletter that goes out to our subscribers, we featured an article about a movement to make the NCAA Division I men’s soccer season a split season, consisting of a fall portion, and a spring portion – with the national championship in May.  Last week, at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s (NSCAA) convention, I was able to speak with two individuals that are spearheading the initiative, and this is what they had to tell me;  The initiative would call for a preseason to being in August, followed by (approx.) a nine-game fall portion.  Schools would start the second preseason in February, and begin another nine-game season in March – culminating with the national championship in May. The proposal has the support of US Soccer which feels that the extra time devoted to training would help develop players for the next level.  Coaches that I have spoken to, who support the proposal, point to the positive aspects – student-athlete welfare, and less class time missed.  My sources have told me that there is still a lot of work to do, and if passed, the measure is, at least, three years away from being implemented.  In the next year, conferences have to be educated about it, and the Division I coaches will also need to vote on it.  If passed, it would then be presented to the athletic directors and administrators at the NCAA meetings – most likely in 2018 where the fate of the proposal would be decided on.  Critics of the initiative have cited, facilities issues, additional strains on staff, and additional budgetary costs.  The sources I spoke with already have rebuttals to all of these topics, and they include, using interns or volunteers on the staff, fundraising to help alleviate budget strains and coordination of schedules with the administration in regards to the facilities’ concern.  This next year should be very interesting to see if this revolutionary change occurs.  I am all for it, as I see it allowing student-athletes to be in class more, be able to take care of injuries, and not have to rush back to play.  Furthermore, the game of college soccer would be more pleasing to watch as a result of the new schedule.  Instead of 18-20 games being played in a three-month window, you would now have one game per week, and 18-20 games over a seven month period.  Lastly, with college soccer attendances rising all over the country, the Final Four could be played in the spring at a predetermined venue where decent weather can promote huge turnouts.  The 2015 college cup was played in December, in Kansas City – far from optimal conditions.  This will be a great piece of legislation to keep your eye on in the coming months!  

 

TCS is always here for you and we hope that you are enjoying and sharing our website, blogs, and podcasts with your friends.  Please feel free to send any comments or questions to info@tacklingcollegesports.com  Our most recent podcast session #14 with Herm Sorcher of the Sky Blue FC, in the National Women’s Soccer League, can be found here. Until next time…

 

Good Luck and Always #BeYourBest,

Chris

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