Big Twelve Men's Soccer Petition

Unlike the Scoring, World Cup TV Ratings Are Way Up @ Blogcritics.org

2006-11-25T17:14:00.000-06:00

Unlike the Scoring, World Cup TV Ratings Are Way Up @ Blogcritics.org: "The average World Cup Soccer matched aired on ABC in 2002 scored less than 1 million viewers. According to Reuters, this year the average is 2.6 million, representing a 65 percent increase from the previous tournament."

In 2000 UofM added Men's Soccer, Here is a link to their proposal

2006-11-10T15:03:00.000-06:00

PROPOSAL FOR ADOPTION
OF
VARSITY STATUS FOR
MEN’S SOCCER
AT THE UNIIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
FOR PRESENTATION TO THE
BOARD IN CONTROL OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

Men Playing for top Division 1 schools from Big XII States

2006-11-06T21:49:00.000-06:00

Here are the top 12 teams who have players from Big 12 states. Yes Texas you have bragging rights. I didn't go all the way through the top 25 but I think the point is clear. The Big 12 has talent in its own backyard.

Wake Forest 1
19 Nick Courtney FR Defender 6-1 170 Coppell, TX
16 David Murphy FR Defender 5-11 170 Grapevine, TX
27 Dylan Sansone FR Midfielder 5-10 175 Spring, TX

SMU 2
22 Jaime Benitez 5-6 126 Defender FR-HS Carrollton, Texas (Creekview)
29 Adrian Chevannes 5-11 175 Midfielder/Forward JR-2L Ft. Worth, Texas (Clemson)
5 Leone Cruz 6-1 174 Defender FR-HS Round Rock, Texas (Round Rock)
6 Scott Geppert 6-0 158 Forward SO-TR Coppell, Texas (Brown University)
3 Jeff Harwell 5-8 145 Midfielder SO-1L Dallas, Texas (Jesuit College Prep)
33 Craig Hill 6-1 206 Goalkeeper FR-HS San Antonio, Texas (Reagan)
27 Robin Johnson-Hood 6-3 169 Defender/Midfielder Fr-HS Duncanville, Texas (Duncanville)
7 Daniel Lopez 5-7 147 Defender/Midfielder SO-1L Red Oak, Texas (Red Oak)
12 Jordan Mann 5-9 165 Midfielder/Defender SR-1L Prairie Village, Kan. (Furman)
21 Esteban Mariel 5-10 169 Midfielder SO-TR Dallas, Texas (UMBC)
24 Manuel Mariel 5-10 168 Forward SO-TR Dallas, Texas (UMBC)
15 Ryan Mirsky 6-0 175 Defender SO-1L Tyler, Texas (Tyler)
14 Jay Needham 6-2 173 Defender SR-3L Ft. Worth, Texas (Arlington Heights)
16 Richard Oliva 6-0 159 Midfielder SO-1L Flower Mound, Texas (Flower Mound)
20 Dane Saintus 5-11 154 Forward FR-HS Arlington, Texas (Lamar)
19 Dario Saintus 5-11 175 Midfielder SR-3L Arlington, Texas (Lamar)
0 Matt Wideman 5-10 178 Goalkeeper SR-2L Fairview, Texas (Allen)
10 Chase Wileman 5-5 135 Midfielder SR-3L Grand Prairie, Texas (Edison Academic Center)

Virginia 4
10 Jonathan Villanueva MF Fr. 5-10 160 Grand Prairie, Texas/South Grand Prairie

Maryland 5
5 A.J. Godbolt Midfield SR 5-10/175 Austin, Texas (St. Stephen's Episcopal)
4 Omar Gonzalez Defender/Forward FR 6-5/200 Dallas, Texas (St. Stephan's Episcopal)
2 Justin Kendro Defender FR 5-9/150 Irving, Texas (Nimitz)
27 Josh Mikulewicz Goalkeeper FR 6-2/175 Frisco, Texas (Frisco)

Duke 6
14 Joe Germanese MF 5-10 165 Jr. St. Louis, Mo. (Vanderbilt)
24 Trae Harrison F 5-11 180 Fr. Dallas, Texas (Duncanville)
16 Zach Pope MF 5-7 140 Jr. Round Rock, Texas (Stony Point)
11 Spencer Wadsworth F 5-8 160 Jr. Dallas, Texas (Plano West)

Clemson 7
9 Hector Quintanar, Senior, Austin, TX
16 Thornton, Nathan 5-8/157 F FR/Club Spring, TX

Indiana 8
33 Joe Andrews Goalkeeper RS FR 6-2 185 St. Louis, Mo./De Smet Jesuit
16 Kevin Robson Forward SR 5-9 145 St. Peter's, Mo./Chaminade Prep

Santa Clara 9
5 Brian Curry 6-1 170 Defender/Midfielder JR/2V Littleton, Colo.
11 Erik Ustruck 5-9 163 Midfielder/Forward SR/3V St. Louis, Mo.
15 Stephen McCarthy 6-4 175 Midfield FR/HS Colleyville, Texas

Notre Dame 11
17 Besler, Matt SO Midfield/Defense 6-0/170 Overland Park, KS/Blue Valley West
14 Dike, Bright SO Forward 6-1/195 Edmond, OK/Edmond North
11 Martin, Kurt JR Midfield 5-10/160 McAllen, TX/Memorial
9 McGeeney, Justin SR Forward 5-8/165 Ames, IA/Ames
13 Rellas, Cory SO Midfield/Defense 6-1/165 Plano, TX/Plano West
22 Rellas, Dale SR Defense 6-2/180 Plano, TX/Plano West
8 Thomas, Michael FR Midfield/Defense 5-10/175 Olathe, KS/St. Thomas Aquinas
5 Traynor, Jack SO Defense 5-9/150 St. Charles, MO/Francis Howell North

Saint Louis 12
0 Steven Grow GK 5-9 160 SO Olathe, Kan. (Marquette)
1 Pat Disbennett GK 6-2 180 JR St. Louis, Mo. (Webster Groves)
4 Eric Sweetin MF 5-5 140 SO Overland Park, Kan. (Kansas City Rockhurst)
6 Alex Matteson MF 5-8 155 SR Chesterfield, Mo. (Chaminade)
8 John DiRaimondo MF 5-8 150 SR St. Louis, Mo. (SLUH)
10 Dado Hamzagic MF 5-10 165 SO St. Louis, Mo. (Mehlville)
12 Josh Aranda MF 5-7 150 FR St. Louis, Mo. (DeSmet)
14 Jason Vilmer B 6-0 170 SR St. Louis, Mo. (St. Mary's)
15 Kyle Hayes MF 5-10 155 FR St. Louis, Mo. (CBC)
16 Patrick Hadican MF/B 5-8 175 FR St. Louis, Mo. (Chaminade)
17 Chad Hagerty MF 5-9 170 SO Louisville, Ky. (St. Xavier)
18 Dan Guffey MF/B 6-2 185 SR St. Peters, Mo. (Howell North)
19 Casey Spiess MF/B 6-0 160 SR Florissant, Mo. (DeSmet)
21 Brandon Gasparovic B 5-8 155 JR St. Louis, Mo. (Christian Bros.)
23 Scott Wisniewski MF/F 5-10 145 FR Dallas, Texas (Edwawrd S. Marcus)
24 Zack Przybeck MF/B 5-11 165 JR St. Louis, Mo. (St. John's)
25 Bobby Wilmering B 5-10 175 JR St. Louis, Mo. (DeSmet)
27 Tim Ream MF 6-1 160 FR St. Louis, Mo. (St. Dominic)
28 Jimmy Holmes F 5-10 160 FR St. Louis, Mo. (Priory)
31 David Steitz GK 6-4 180 FR St. Louis, Mo. (SLUH)

College Sports Council-Statement on Title IX

2006-11-06T17:26:00.000-06:00

Saving Sports: "

"Title IX
The College Sports Council is devoted to protecting opportunities for students to participate in sports.

Title IX is a law that forbids discrimination based on gender.

The College Sports Council fully embraces the intent of the law as it was originally written. However, current regulations governing Title IX have created a quota system that arbitrarily limits participation in sports which harms men and does not benefit women.

The CSC seeks regulatory reform of Title IX so that the law can continue to protect women without harming men."

Let the Men Play!!!, Selected comments from the Petition

2006-11-05T21:54:00.000-06:00

Here are some quotes from persons responding to the Bring Men's Soccer to the Big XII petition. (see more at http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?big12men My favorite sums it up: Let the Men Play!!!

If the women's game can draw as well as it does, can you imagine how much better a men's game would do at A&M?

Its so sad that people have taken men's soccer out of Texas.

Any Big 12 team adding mens soccer would immeadiatly be a contender for the National Championship.

I've always wanted to play in the big 12 but no mens soccer which disappoints me.

From an A & M fan: Gig 'em Ags!

a step toward winning World Cup 2018

With Texas as one of the premier states in producing strong athletes... it's a crime to rob the talented soccer players from a chance to play for their favorite school and their home state at the TOP level.

This will be a successful addition to Big 12 Athletics I am eligible to play right now and currently coach high school soccer. I have many players who would love to play in the Big 12

ACC, Big Ten, Big East, Pac 10 manage to have men's soccer. What's wrong with Big XII?

Title IX does not have to ruin the chance to have mens soccer in one of the nation's elite conferences

As a player on the University of Missouri Men's Soccer Club, I can speak firsthand of the talented soccer players at Bix XII schools (and this is without scholarships, recruiting, etc. -- merely the product of large soccer cities in the Big XII's backyard)

Great soccer players are going to other conferences to play men's soccer. The female soccer programs have been a success and has allowed great athletes to join wonderful schools/programs. I would love to see men's soccer.

Money is there to be made from men's NCAA association football! All it takes is for someone in the AD to get someone in the Business College to work out a simple budget and make a clear 5 year plan and 10 year plan. Many ADs have it set in their mind that Title IX red tape and budget restrictions kill men's NCAA soccer before it even makes it to the drawing board. This is due because of a generation gap in the AD and those that do indeed know how to make a profit from NCAA men's soccer. Texas talent is known all over this nation. The nature of the game, the talent here in Texas and the low overhead for team costs are all massive factors that highlight why men's, not women's, association football should be a money generating sport in the Big XII. I am President of the Texian Army Supporters Club. Any help needed by the Big XII to create the proper business plan and scope of work needed to get the ball rolling, just contact our Texian Army website and give me a shout.

World class universities should in part reflect what is going on in the world. In athletics throughout the world, soccer is what is happening. There are many pockets of outstanding youth soccer in Big 12 country.

Soccer is the worlds most poular game and should be available to all kids who want to play. for a high school kid growing up in the midwest/texas playing soccer and only having the option to continue his playing career on the east or west coast is ludicrous. BRING SOCCER TO THE BIG XII!!

Texas supplies a lot of great soccer players to schools outside of this area. I want my children to continue to play the great game in colleges in this part of the country.

we'll go west coast otherwise...

The midwest collegiate scene is missing out on Mens soccer. Let's bring it here and keep our talented kids in the homeland.

my son wants to play soccer at UT!

I have two sons that play Classic D1 soccer on top ranked teams that want to play college soccer. They're mom would love to watch them play close to home.

The facilities are already there for the girls...now all you need is our boys! Let them play close to home. With the talent in the area, it wouldn't take long for a National Championship.

The Big XII needs to step up and find a solution for adding mens soccer.

Texas is one of the largest if not the largest talent pool for men's college soccer players, yet none of the state universities offer men's soccer... I had to move to west virginia to play college soccer!

Soccer deserves more recognition in this part of the country. It is imperative we get men’s soccer into the Big 12 to continue its growth not only in this part of the country, but in the entire US.

i love soccer and i want to play for OSU

This Will Not Be Easy, Keep Up the Pressure

2006-11-05T19:29:00.000-06:00

I view this as a long term project. Most schools are reluctant to add men's soccer for three reasons:

Title IX: This law requires parity between men's and women's athletic programs.

Funding: One athletic director indicated that the costs of a program, without even discussing scholarships, is about $1,000,000.

Interest: The Big XII is a football and basketball conference.

Lets take a look at these in reverse order:

Interest: Nobody can deny the increased popularity of soccer. The Dept of State's figures estimates that 18 million Americans participate in the sport. 78% of these are under 18. There is a sports channel dedicated to soccer, there are two professional soccer leagues. Soccer is coming on like a wave. Today I'm guessing that about 10% of the youth are second generation players. The numbers of youth participation will increase as former players become tomorrow's parents. Yes, soccer is coming on like a tsunami. FC Dallas reported an 34% increase at the gate.

Funding: One athletic director made the point that his program's women's soccer costs about $1,000,000 but has ticket sales of only $100,000. On the face it appears that there is a $900,000 gap in funding. Obviously this would be a major concern. Part of the problem can be overcome by attendance. Men's sports typically tend to draw more spectators than women's. One need look no further than basketball attendance. Men's programs often sell out while women's programs suffer low attendance even when tickets are substantially cheaper or free.
Does the same hold true for soccer? Michigan State is a good example. The MSU men's soccer had 328% more fans in attendance than the women's program. This closes a significant portion of the gap. Camps, merchandising, concessions, fund-raising and corporate sponsorship can close another portion of the gap. Some personnel consolidation (eg sharing some assistant coaches) could also provide savings opportunities. Finally, one would presume little facility cost since those already exist. This would provide a good project to for a business school to explore.

Title IX: This is seen as the biggest obstacle by most schools. Most schools take the position that they are complaint but the addition of another men's program would put them out of compliance. This is not exactly the case. Schools can be show compliance by meeting any one of three criteria:

1. By demonstrating that intercollegiate level participation opportunities for male and female students are provided in numbers substantially proportionate to their respective enrollments; or
2. Where members of one sex have been underrepresented among intercollegiate athletes, by demonstrating a history and continuing practice of program expansion which is demonstrably responsive to the developing interests and abilities of the members of that sex; or
3. Where members of one sex are underrepresented among intercollegiate athletes, by demonstrating that the interests and abilities of the members of that sex have been fully and effectively accommodated by the present program.

Most schools with football programs rely upon the 2nd & 3rd prongs. The second prong involves a history of adding sports. The trouble is that most schools are running out of sports or there is little interest therein. This is a fuzzy standard.

Due to the existence of football programs the first prong is difficult to meet. Schools tend to focus on the 2nd and 3rd prong. Continuing to expand female sports programs can only go so far. Perhaps this can be met by increased rosters, funding, facilities, etc. Another method is to demonstrate that the interests of the underrepresented sex has been fully accommodated. Schools may be able to meet this prong if they have some form of study of the student population. Surveys, monitoring intramural and club sports are methods of to justify either the status quo or the addition of a new women's sport. If the needs have fully been met then there should be no impediment to the addition of men's soccer. Obviously the simultaneous addition or expansion of a women's sport would help fend off criticism and lawsuits if men's soccer were added.

Sign this petition for the Big XII to adopt men's soccer! - BigSoccer

2006-11-05T19:27:00.000-06:00

Sign this petition for the Big XII to adopt men's soccer! - BigSoccer This has made it to a couple of discussion boards.

Dallas Morning News FC Dallas Attendance up 34%

2006-11-05T18:36:00.000-06:00

Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | SportsDay: Soccer: "FC Dallas averaged 14,982 fans in 14 games, a 34-percent increase over last season." The tsunami is coming!

TITLE IX Compliance Basic Information

2006-11-03T17:53:00.000-06:00

KHSAA TITLE IX Compliance Basic Information A good resource for determining compliance with a IX.

About the USA > Sports > Soccer

2006-10-31T22:11:00.000-06:00

About the USA > Sports > Soccer: "Kids and Soccer

Of the 18 million Americans who play soccer, 78% are under the age of eighteen.

FanBlog: Soccer: College soccer in Texas: The dropout myth?

2006-10-31T08:31:00.000-06:00

FanBlog: Soccer: College soccer in Texas: The dropout myth?: "Just the facts
Let's look at the numbers I've received from the National Federation of State High School Associations, the North Texas Soccer Association, and the South Texas Youth Soccer Association for participation rates during the last year. The following table lists participation among Texas high school-age boys in the sports offered by big public colleges in Texas:
*Football: 159250
*Track and Field: 80723
*Basketball: 71681
*Baseball: 40687
! Soccer: (22321-38421)(I'm guessing that even more are playing at the club level and foregoing high school participation)
**Cross Country: 29074
+Tennis: 16690
*Golf: 12514
%Swimming and Diving: 6411
* men's sports offered by Houston, UT, A&M, and Texas Tech
* *men's sports offered by all but UT
+ men's sports offered by all but Houston
% men's sports offered by only UT
! Offered by no major public university in state"

State does disservice to itself, players

2006-10-31T08:23:00.000-06:00

State does disservice to itself, players: "But either through indifference, ignorance or failing to try, Texas universities have failed to develop men's soccer programs, even though all signs points toward massive growth and potential in the sport."

2005 Div 1 Attendance Info

2006-10-30T22:24:00.000-06:00

New Mexico avg attendance about 3,600. Surely the Big XII can match that

Lets Get the Big 12 to Add Mens Soccer - BigSoccer

2006-10-30T11:34:00.000-06:00

Lets Get the Big 12 to Add Mens Soccer - BigSoccer: "View Poll Results: Who is your favorite Big Twelve school? "
Join the discussion. Don't forget to have your kids and spouse sign as well!

Express your reasons for wanting Men's Soccer

2006-10-27T08:12:00.000-05:00

Click the comments link below and post your reasons for wanting Men's Soccer in the Big 12.

Bring Mens Soccer to the Big 12 Petition

2006-10-22T00:26:00.000-05:00

Bring Mens Soccer to the Big 12 Petition: "Bring Mens Soccer to the Big 12

Click Here to Sign the Petition Don't forget to have your kids and spouse sign as well!

To: Big 12 Athletic Conference
The Big 12 athletic conference should add mens soccer as a sport. Soccer has increased in popularity and boys should have the dream of playing for their favorite Big Twelve team.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
"

2006-10-20T22:40:00.000-05:00

The future of Mens Soccer in the Big XII depends on you. Express your interest by doing four things:

Click here to sign a petition.Don't forget to have your kids and spouse sign as well!
E-Mail the athletic director of your favorite teams and encourage them to add the sport. See below.
E-Mail the Big XII with your comments. Below
E-Mail your friends, teammates and soccer clubs with this information.

Big XII

Athletic Directors

Baylor Ian McCaw

Colorado, Ceal Barry

Iowa State Jamie Pollard

Kansas Lew Perkins

Kansas State Tim Weiser

Missouri Mike Alden.

Nebraska Steve Pederson

Oklahoma Joe Castiglione, Oklahoma Athletics Department 180 W Brooks, Norman, OK 73019

Oklahoma State Mike Holder

Texas DeLoss Dodds, 471-5757

Texas A & M Bill Bryne

Texas Tech Craig Wells