How and Why Texas Should Add a Men's Soccer Program

Sports in Texas means towns shutting down for high school football and on Saturdays heading to Darrell K Royal stadium to watch the Longhorns. We all know Texas high school football, baseball, and even now basketball produces numerous scholarship athletes. There is one little secret in Texas that is going unnoticed by the University of Texas athletic department- men’s soccer. According to the National Federation of State High School, over 27,000 high school students played soccer in Texas during the 2008-2009 school year. California was the only state that had more high school students playing soccer and those athletes have over 20 division I soccer programs to pick to play for in California. On the other hand, Southern Methodist University is the lone division one soccer program in Texas. Since University of Texas athletics and soccer are two of sports dearest to my heart, I will present to the BON readers why and how Texas can have a men’s soccer program.

First, how can the Longhorns athletic department add on a soccer program? There are some difficulties due to title XI, which states,

“[Institutions] must provide reasonable opportunities for such award (of financial assistance) for member of each sex in proportion to the number of students of each sex participating in inter-collegiate athletics.”

This means that if the Texas athletic department is going to add a men’s soccer program they would have to add a women’s program too. This would allow Texas to be in compliance with title IX and equal number of athletic scholarships for the Texas men’s and women’s programs. For most schools adding one program would be too difficult, but two seems impossible and means finding more money for both programs, coaches, finding a stadium  to play in, a conference, and offices for the programs.

 Luckily for Texas, money is not a big problem. In 2007-2008 the athletic program made 120.3 million dollars just that year. Not to mention the 300 million dollars that Texas Athletics could make over the next 20 years due to the Longhorn network. With the amount of money Texas earns the dollar amount is not a problem. Also, it should not be complicated to make room for men’s soccer at Mike A. Myers stadium or offices for the coaching staff. Other athletics programs can deal with two soccer programs, so there is no reason why Texas cannot. In the end it comes down to desire to have a soccer program, and without other Big XII programs looking to add a men’s soccer program the Texas Athletic Department must feel like there is no reason to.

However, if Texas is supposed to be the staple for athletics in the Big XII it is the Longhorns’ job to be the first to add a soccer program. Believe me, if the Longhorns add a men’s program A&M and Oklahoma would not be far behind to follow. Then a domino effect would ensue and likely trickle down to the rest of the Big XII programs. At first Texas could join Conference USA, which includes SMU, until the other Big XII schools decided to add soccer as well. For the women’s program that should be added I would leave that up to Christine Plonsky, the director of the women’s athletic program. My advice would be pick the women’s sport that most Texas girls high school athletes play, but is not offered as a sports program for the Longhorns.

Now the easier part, the why. More important than the athletics, adding two new programs would give scholarship opportunities to students who may not have had the ability to join the University of Texas without the new sports programs. Financially, if Texas can add two more athletic programs they should for that reason. With all the money the athletic department makes it is hard to think that finances would be a problem. Then there is the talent in Texas that goes unnoticed. Eleven players born in Texas were on the rosters for the top ten ranked division I soccer programs. Not including the 17 players on the sixth ranked SMU squad or other division I programs. This proves that Texas soccer players are playing in the top men's programs.

With the Longhorn Network, the facilities at Texas, and the lack of recruiting competition in the south, not just Texas, it is hard to believe that soccer players in the area would turn down a chance to play for the Longhorns. I just cannot see Texas players going to Akron, Maryland, or even SMU over Texas if they were a men’s program in Austin. Not to mention the TV exposure Texas could promise with the Longhorn Network that other schools could not emulate. With all the resources Texas has bringing players would not be difficult at all, and Texas would most likely be able to hand pick the coach they want. Due to the talent and facilities I also believe the program could compete for a National Championship if suitable coaches are found. That speaks volumes to the talent level that is available in Texas.

Also, soccer fans are different than most sports fans, and soccer games provide a different type of atmosphere. If Texas wants to continue to be considered a hub of diversity, adding soccer would be a perfect way to diversify the athletics department. In the end the talent is here in the state and there is money available, the only thing missing is the desire to have a soccer program.

So Burnt Orange Nation, are you interested in soccer at Texas? Would you go out to see Longhorn Soccer?