Future of College Soccer in Danger?

[Anonymous]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ianquillen/2020/04/18/coronavirus-claims-us-soccer-development-academy---is-college-soccer-next/#55c4857d14f9

With men's college soccer in danger of going unsupported over the next several years, the same could be true for women's soccer. University of Cincinnati already killed their men's soccer program.

"...the commissioners of the “Group of Five” conferences within the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision have written a joint letter to NCAA president Mark Emmert requesting a four-year exemption from the current requirement that FBS schools sponsor a minimum of 16 varsity sports. Of those Group of Five schools, 24 currently maintain Division I men’s soccer programs, representing about 12 percent of all D-I men’s programs."

"As for schools from the FBS “Power Five” conferences, they are generally comprised of larger land-grant institutions whose athletic departments are more likely to already exceed the 16-team limit. In other words, they could more easily cut men’s soccer to save money without worrying about violating FBS rules."

"For any school considering discontinuing programs, it’s getting easier to argue that men’s college soccer is less important each year in terms of providing opportunities to young people. Only 20 players selected from college in this past year’s MLS SuperDraft actually earned MLS contracts."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.forbes.com/sites/ianquillen/2020/04/18/coronavirus-claims-us-soccer-development-academy---is-college-soccer-next/#55c4857d14f9

With men's college soccer in danger of going unsupported over the next several years, the same could be true for women's soccer. University of Cincinnati already killed their men's soccer program.

"...the commissioners of the “Group of Five” conferences within the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision have written a joint letter to NCAA president Mark Emmert requesting a four-year exemption from the current requirement that FBS schools sponsor a minimum of 16 varsity sports. Of those Group of Five schools, 24 currently maintain Division I men’s soccer programs, representing about 12 percent of all D-I men’s programs."

"As for schools from the FBS “Power Five” conferences, they are generally comprised of larger land-grant institutions whose athletic departments are more likely to already exceed the 16-team limit. In other words, they could more easily cut men’s soccer to save money without worrying about violating FBS rules."

"For any school considering discontinuing programs, it’s getting easier to argue that men’s college soccer is less important each year in terms of providing opportunities to young people. Only 20 players selected from college in this past year’s MLS SuperDraft actually earned MLS contracts."

Women’s soccer not at risk - title IX. If colleges drop football ... maybe.

[Anonymous]

I think a lot of exemptions are going to be granted by the NCAA this term. First is the attendance requirements for FBS football. That's gotta go. ACT and SAT waivers have already been granted.

This minimum team requirement *may* go but I suspect they might come back with a 'temporary suspension' requirement rather than a termination and they'll likely require honoring existing scholarships. Title IX I don't see getting messed with though.