It remains remarkable to me that in one of the top soccer markets in the entire country that NCAA Division 1 mens soccer is not currently offered at the UH, Rice University, University of Texas, or Texas A&M to name a few. In fact SMU is the only college or university that offers mens NCAA Division 1 soccer. If you like I believe the top players need an option to stay in Texas please sign the following petition and comment. The list will be offered to the board of regents at the institutions. Click the Comments button below and sign up. Tell your friends and link to this petition so we can get the momentum going.
-Glenn
Danish Inspirations
Fiesta Mart
Houston Web Design
Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute
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Zukowski, Bresenhan & Sinex, L.L.P.
I have followed the progress of Men\’s soccer in Texas by following my son\’s progresion from High School,and club team in Richardson, Texas to his present position as Head Woman\’s Soccer Coach at Texas A&M. (who has won the Big 12 the last three years in a row.) With the men\’s soccer talent which has been building since the \’80s I believe Texas Universities could dominate NCAA Div. One in a very short time. Please, don\’t use dedicated funds as an excuse. With very little funding I would venture a bet that the rest of the needed funding would be more than made up by the Alumni
I fully support Texas A&M providing a Division 1 scholarship program for Mens Soccer. We have all of the facilities, just need to organize the program and use all of the Texas home grown talent.
Great example is the National Championship that University of Connecticut won in Men\’s Division I Soccer in 2000 with five players from Houston. Gbandi, Forko, Rivera, Brown and Grinsfelder, played locally for the former Hurricanes Soccer Club and Cy-Falls and Langham Creek High Schools and then had to go the Northeast to play for a National Title.
Texas AM, University of Texas, UH, Rice all tout themselves as ‘international’ institutions yet don’t have mens collegiate soccer.
Last I checked the true ‘global’ game was soccer.
Shameful and lacking vision.
I have 3 daughters and attended UT and it is shameful that UT and A&M do not have NCAA men’s soccer. It’s about time and also the right time. Now.
Due to the lack of oportunities at Texas colleges and universities, many bright young men leave the state to fulfill their lifelong dream of playing soccer at the highest level possible, as well as to achieve their academic goals. Many establish careers and families and go on to ply their coaching abilities outside of Texas.
It’s time for a change that will keep talented Texans in Texas.
I would like to see opportunities for young talented Texas male soccer athletes to be able to stay and play in their home state. My belief is that the support Mens Division I soccer would be significant.
Thanks for your consideration.
Regards,
Brad
It\’s time for the state of Texas to catch up with the rest of the nation with strong men\’s university soccer programs. The changing demographics of the state necessitate this to be inclusive, as well as competitive. I know that I would fully support a men\’s team at my alma mater, the University of Texas, and would visit local games in Houston at Rice and UH; many others would as well.
Let\’s get it done!
Martin Burke
Dear State of Texas Universities:
As a sports fan, and Texan, I feel it is of the utmost importance that the Universities of the great State of Texas – especially the Big XII institutions – implement Men\’s Soccer programs. The two cities of Dallas and Houston are incredible soccer hotbeds for the sport, not to mention the entirety of the state. Couple the clear participation statistics with the increasing influx of immigrants from countries with a first choice for the sport of soccer, and it makes complete since to pursue this endeavor.
If you are to truly continue to evolve as an institution and create a well rounded atmosphere for your student body, it is imperative this minor oversight be addressed.
Jim Hannesschlager
University of Texas
Class of 2003
As Head Coach of the University of Texas Men\’s Club Soccer team, I can vouch that there are already many good players at UT. I receive countless emails annually from players asking about UT Soccer and scholarships, recruiting, etc. I can guarantee that UT would be in the top 25 every year with the amount of homegrown talent Texas loses every year to out-of-state colleges.
Are you trying to tell me the big universities in Texas have their hands tied because of Title IX? Anyone have an idea of what kind of bottom line a school like UT or A&M have at the end of the year? Come on. You could add three women’s sports without a sweat. Soccer could be had if the good ol’ boys would allow it. To all the University School Boards in Texas… Time to wake up! Soccer is here and it’s not going anywhere but up!
Perhaps you can put the blinders on your own children, but when your grandson looks you in the eye and says “Why???? I’d love to hear your response.
Dan Schoen
HFA President
Every year texas youth soccer programs are amongst the best in the nation, and every year texas youth soccer players have to accept scholarships to universities outside of texas to programs like UCLA, Indiana, UNC, Duke, etc. As a former player for the Texas Men\’s Club Soccer team, the talent is there, all we need is the support.
University of Texas at Austin.
I led a group of students and coaches in Austin to petition DeLoss Dodds in 2003. (Athletic Director of UT Austin) DeLoss was very nice to meet us on several occassions to discuss the prospects of a UT men\’s varsity soccer program. His comment was that if we could raise $30M in endowment money, which would fund the annual OpEx of $750k to run a men\’s program, then he would start a men\’s program. In other words, he has no plans to launch a men\’s program. You should know that he is well aware of the talent in Texas that leaves each year for the East and West coasts. Between Title IX and a desire to focus on the only three men\’s sports UT cares about, DeLoss and his department have no plans to bring a men\’s varsity soccer team to bear. If we can find an angel investor and bring media attention to this, then we can possibly succeed…and I believe the University of Texas at Austin should take the lead in kicking off men\’s varsity soccer in the Big XII.
- The Starting Eleven.
We are behind the times if Texas colleges do not provide mens soccer. Texas has a Major league soccer team but does not provide support at a college level for males interested in the sport. It truly does not make sense.
Dear Governor Perry ~
Texas colleges need scholarships for soccer. Soccer is one of the most popular sports amoung kids now and it would be a shame for them not to be able to continue their journey in life. Obviously football in certain schools is not producing revenue vs. expenses. Let’s give soccer a chance. Dont’ put off the inevitable. Be the one who made it happen.
My name is Fernando Otero, I played on the University of Texas at Austin Soccer Club. I graduated in 2003 and during my four years in UT, we tried to approach the athletic department to get them to have a Div I soccer team. We were turned down a number of times. In UT we already have the facilities (the women’s) and the talent. All we need is your support. I understand it all about the money, but I can assure you that in a city that have no other major soccer team. I am sure that the stadium will be packed and the media will follow them. Thank you. Fernando
I cannot add to the already well-stated comments above. Texas talent needs the opportunity to play in Texas.
Texas has some of the top division II and III teams in the country; Incarnate Word, Trinity, Midwestern State, and West Texas all have produced strong championship runs as well as produce current MLS players. Schools like Texas would not even need scholarships to field a fantastic team. Simply to be able to play for TEXAS would be enough to draw top talent from the state, as well as these DII and III programs, even if they had to pay.
Dear administrators,
Soccer is growing by leaps and bounds in this state, let alone the country. Just look to the professional ranks for evidence. Houston Dynamo draw some of the best attendance numbers in MLS, with getting over the 20,000 mark a likely occurance. FC Dallas has its own soccer specific stadium. Pizza Hut Park is a premier destination not only for Texas Youth Soccer, but for international teams as well. Two MLS teams and only one Division I school in the same state. That\’s just doesn\’t seem right. What better way to add to Texas\’ strong sports tradition than creating an MLS pipeline of Division I soccer talent from Texas playing in Texas during their college years as well as in their professional years. Just another reason to hook \’em and gig \’em!
Thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Simon Provan
Soccer is the most played sport in the country.
Each year there are hundreds of men in Texas (thousands nationwide) eagerly wanting to play DI soccer.
Every DI school in Texas could start a men\’s program without even offering scholarships and I would bet anything men\’s soccer will bring in more money than women\’s soccer!
I have been appaled by the lack of soccer in Texas colleges for some time. I find it amazing that given the dominance of Texans in nearly every sport there is not a soccer program in Division sports in the Big 12 and the other confrences in Texas. This must change. Soccers prominance in the country is only growing more prevelant. With the incredible homegrown talent in Texas (Clint Dempsey for one) it seems wrong to force them to leave the state to play in college. It\’s time for a Burnt Orange soccer champion! This could easily happen within a few years of play.
Ever since I was little, I wanted to play collegiate soccer. I\’ve always been a UT fan in any sport and the university itself. When I learned that UT, as well as other schools such as Rice, Texas Tech, and UH, didn\’t have Div. I Soccer, I was disappointed. I don\’t understand how Texas does not have a school with a div. I team even though Soccer is really popular with very talented, young men having to go out of state. Sure there are soccer clubs in these schools, but there\’s nothing like competing with the rest of the country\’s best in Division I.
Seventeen programs in California and SMU and HBU (provisional) in Texas. Hard to believe.
I am so livid right now. This subject is absolutly electifying, like a hair dryer in a bathtub. What about equal opportunity. I hear all this stuff about how women don\’t get the same opportunity as men. Well this sounds like a double standard to me. To not have D1 Soccer on the college level in Texas is absolutely unbelievable, like pouring a pint of beer into a shot glass!
As someone who takes great pride in the excellence of all things Texan, I find it shameful and appalling that there is only one division one men\’s soccer program in all of Texas. In every sport, Texan athletes are respected and recruited by college and professional sports teams nationwide, yet many of these athletes prefer to attend universities in Texas. The success of UT and A&M\’s football and basketball teams, Rice\’s baseball team and Lamar\’s golf team is a direct result of the Texan athletes that dominate the rosters of each of these teams. Clearly it is an advantage to every Texas school, especially the big schools like Texas A&M and UT who rely on the success of their athletic programs to attract prospective students, to fill their sports teams with Texan athletes.
Texas has one of the most extensive and competitive youth soccer programs in the country and it produces some of the most talented, promising soccer players our country has. Given the pattern followed by major Texas universities in all other sports, one would assume that Texas universities would be leaders in soccer championships and that these universities would have rosters stacked with Texan talent. Unfortunately this is not the case. Almost every Texan men\’s soccer player who wants to play division one soccer is forced to attend college out of state because the only division one men\’s soccer team in Texas is at SMU. This is disappointing to Texan soccer players to say the least.
By refusing to create division one men\’s soccer programs, Texas A&M, UT, UH, Rice and Texas Tech choose to reject the opportunity to add soccer, the fastest growing sport in the U.S., to the list of sports dominated by Texan universities. This is an issue that must be remedied.
To whom it may concern:
I am a graduating senior and a avid soccer player. Into my last season i have minimal options in where to go to school if i stay in texas yet i found some. TLU a private institution HBU also private San Jacinto a community college and thats really about it while other states have more opportunities. This rule is ludacris and i know it might be to late for me but i would hope the future has the option of stayin in texas and playin such a global sport on the grounds of texas atm and so on.
Talk about something that is long overdue!!! There is a lot of talent that doesn\’t get developed around the state because of a lack of Div I participation. My son is only a hs sophomore but he is already looking out of state for the combination of soccer and educational programs he is interested in for attending college. While those educational programs are available at Div I schools in Texas, the universities he would consider do not offer men\’s programs, except for the recreational club variety, which has no school sponsorship or funds and puts a large burden of extra expense on the student. while the numbers may be small, compared to football, in regards to players needed, these schools are missing out on some dollars that parents would be willing to spend at the school and in the community by not offering these programs. I was told by a major coach that it would take a couple of million dollars to start a men\’s program; I contend that the money spent on normal school expenses and the dollars that parents (expand that to the larger family as well) spend would at some point begin to offset the school expenditure. It is time, especially considering the desire of the US to win a World Cup, to have Texas Div I schools step up to the plate and develop the other Clint Dempseys (from Nacogdoches) that are out there. Come on big schools, don\’t leave us hanging!
Big schools are out of integrity on this sport Jim. We are talking about a sport that from a participation number is second to none yet our “international universities” can find any room for this most popular sport. A travesty that is second to none showing how hypocritical and archaic many of the athletic directors and top officials at schools are.
All,
It is unfortunate that to date, only SMU has a Division I NCAA soccer program. Over 30 years ago, I was on a trip with our then UH soccer club team manager and coach traveling from UofH to Rice, Texas A&M, and UT campaigning to get soccer as a NCAA sport. After meeting with the such sports legends like Harry Fouke ( UH ), and Darrell Royal (UT), it became evident that the Texas Universities kept waiting to see where and when the growth would surpass the club interest.
A direct quote at the time from one of our visits was \
All,
It is unfortunate that to date, only SMU has a Division I NCAA soccer program. Over 30 years ago, I was on a trip with our then UH soccer club team manager and coach traveling from UofH to Rice, Texas A&M, and UT campaigning to get soccer as a NCAA sport. After meeting with the such sports legends like Harry Fouke ( UH ), and Darrell Royal (UT), it became evident that the Texas Universities kept waiting to see where and when the growth would surpass the club interest.
A direct quote at the time from one of our visits was “Each university is waiting to see if the other University will join. If one joins, then they will all dive in”. At the time, South Texas soccer was starting to really grow among youth players. We came away encouraged, and with competition increasing among the club teams, and the Southwest Conference going strong, attendance was beginning to increase at college club games to the hundreds just by word of mouth and local campus papers, such as the daily Cougar.
Since that time, there has been little interest shown in getting a program assembled for the various universities, though the arguements against doing so in 1974 have clearly shown soccer has boomed. Instead, we find that the universities will only fund a women’s program at best – I suspect that if not for Title 9, that even those programs would exist today.
Texas has had a share of soccer players who have played in the various professional soccer leagues coming from UofH, Midwestern, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, with SMU producing former US National Women’s Team coach Greg Ryan, and Randy Waldrum of Notre Dame women’s head coach to name a couple.
Recently having attended a tournament in Dallas where I watched one of my former college teammates high school son play from Houston, I couldn’t help but see what great improvements in the level of the youth programs in Texas, both boys and girls.
I also see that it is a shame that these talented players leave the state to play if they wish to achieve success both academically and athletically.
I appreciate the observations and comments by both former teammates in this column, and by others, concerning this goal of getting NCAA soccer in the colleges within Texas.
Why do Texas players have to go outside the state to find participate on a Division I program, when the schools could attract good local talent.
It is not about taking away from athletics such as baseball, football, basketball, tennis etc, it is about adding tradition, prestige, and alumni to these athletic programs.
Fan base has greatly increased, and plenty of talented players and coaches to to select from to represent the colleges in soccer –
My advice, pick while the picking is good -
The talent is here, the fans are here – what are the major universities waiting for now ?
I was also a player in \\\’98 that went to Uconn to play Div 1 soccer, and believe me, I wish I would have had an option to stay here (Texas).
I am now an alumn from UH, and have been coaching for 7 years Club/ODP/etc.. reaching the A license, and would love to be involved in a coaching level with any of the universities mentioned above.
I have seen first hand the talent that leaves our state every year, and still cannot understand why nothing is done, it\\\’s just simply sad.
I think everything has been said in every way possible. So, all I want to say is PLEASE SOMEONE HELP TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Franklin -
Please consider providing our great state the opportunity to continue to shine as a great soccer state as well. Youth soccer has already surpassed the “more traditional sports” as far as the number of youth playing the sport. These kids deserve to be able to continue living their dreams as they grow older. If you could only see the fantastic level that our Texas youth play, I find it difficult to believe that you could justify having to send the great talent to other states to attend college and play their sport! Many exceptionally talented young men are forced to travel out of state or give up their sport due to the lack of collegiate opportunities for them. This is truly a shame.
Our colleges have often been thought of as the place for young men and women to develop into the brightness of our future. College life over the decades has managed to march to the beat of a different drummer. Many changes have taken place due to colleges and universities pressuring society to change for the better! In this case, however, it seems that the universities are the establishment and our own society has to pressure them for a change to reflect our own communities. When will the administrators wake up and pay attention to what our communities are asking for? Texas has two of the best professional soccer teams in the US. The rivalry is impressive. Club soccer at the youth level is amazing. High School soccer is making tremendous strides. Let’s give our young men the opportunity to utilize the sport that they have developed a true passion for and make a change for their future!
You can make it happen! The soccer community will not let you down! Just ask the Houston Dynamo!
Hey man all i want is to continue playing soccer and continue with this dream, i have talent but way more passion for soccer ,and when ever i play soccer i play with the hart,and i know that my passion for this sport will never faid awey ,so please take a look at this comment because its very important for me.
Andres Vega.
Pharr tx.
956-7826962
To the Board of Regents:
The time has come for each of your universities to add Mens Soccer to the list of sports that you offer. The pure number of soccer players leaving the state of Texas to pursue opportunities to play soccer at the next level is a sign that your universities would not only compete, but would be successful. As a high school soccer coach, four of my graduating seniors are leaving the state to continue playing soccer, and that is just at one school.
As a member of the State Staff for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, I come across numerous clubs and schools that are tired of seeing their kids not be able to play soccer here in the great state of Texas. It is time to start adding these programs and establishing your university as a true, international university.
In Soccer,
Bryan Hayman
Mens Head Soccer Coach
Lamar High School
State Technical Staff
National Soccer Coaches Association of America
It is past time that Texas colleges and universities recognize how powerful the state could be on the national level. There are hundreds of young men who could walk onto a field in Houston or College Station of immediately contribute to a strong program.
Let\\\’s quit making excuses and hit the pitch.
There are no more excuses for the major Texas colleges and universities not having men’s soccer programs. With all of the talented young players in the state, both native Texan and foreign students, we could have two or three national powers in a short period.
I WANT TO STAY IN TEXAS!!!!!!
Texas needs more Div. 1
As a current high school soccer student, I am looking for more options within the state of Texas for soccer performance and oppertunity. I beleive that many great colleges in Texas perform very highly within the Division 1 circut and would do such if adding Mens’ soccer. It would be marvolous, and bring a great deal of attention to soccer within not only our state, but within the USA!!!
I absolutely would love to be apart of that!
Soccer could be huge if this goes through…
We need Men’s Div. 1 Soccer here in Texas!!! Make it happen people!
My son has been UT fan for as long as I can remember. He also has played soccer at a high level for most of his life. Now he very much wants to go to UT but to do that he will not be able to play soccer for his school. That seems very unfair and even sad. This part of the country(Texas) is becoming one of the most prolific youth soccer areas in the nation. For local schools not to offer men\’s programs is a waste of talent and is highly shortsighted! Please GET MEN\
Ironic that the NCAA Division 1 Mens College Cup is being held in Frisco, TX in two weeks. In a state that has only 2 division 1 soccer programs. This borders almost on unethical.
Texas is one of the richest states within the USA in terms of financial resources in general and club/high school mens soccer prorgrams in particular, yet, only SMU and HBU have NCAA Div 1 mens soccer programs in the state. That is very shameful on the part of all other top name Texan Universities/Colleges, and, totally unfair towards the state’s top boys soccer high school players!!! Why do over 95% of top Texan high school boys have to play Div 1 college soccer outside their state (which is among the richest of states)??? It is indeed shameful, and, it is high time that those big name Texas Universities/Colleges do something to correct such unfair shortage!
Texas NEEDS division 1 men’s soccer!
Texas Universities’ lack of soccer programs is an embarrassment. The amount of focus and money spent on american college football is ridiculous — are we striving for centers of higher education or the NFL minor leagues.
Add my name to the list. Please bring Division I men’s soccer to Texas A&M and UT so that SMU can kick their butts! Doesn’t TCU have a soccer program as well? Regardless, the big state schools should have soccer programs competing at the highest level.
John Viault
It just kills me that Texas is such a hotbed of youth soccer and our young men can’t play at the schools of thier dreams. Just insane but in so many ways texas is so backward.
I support this cause!!!! Bring the real football to Texas Universities!!!!!
I definitly agree that soccer needs to be in Texas. But sorry folks as long as Title 9 is still in effect. Then soccer will never be an NCAA Div 1 men’s sport.