Could TCU bring back mens soccer with Big East acceptance?
Published 11/30/2010 4:43:18 AM by staff from dallas
There has been a buzz in the last few weeks as rumours of a TCU move to the Big East gained steam. With yesterday's press conference and announcement the question is now legit. Will TCU bring back mens soccer to play in the powerful Big East?
There is no questioning the quality of Big East soccer. Outside of the ACC there is no better conference. Top ranked Louisville is there, national powers St Johns, UConn and Notre Dame also reside there. With only SMU as a D1 in the entire state of Texas, TCU could move to a national power in a few years with the proper attention. It would not be surprising to see TCU surpass SMU with the enticing competition they could offer prospects.
There are big obstacles to bringing back soccer at TCU unfortunately. See, there used to be mens soccer at TCU. The program fell into a state of total disrepair under the attention of Dave Rubinson, Jay Fitzgerald and all. Rubinson had rather hit the golf course rather than the practice field and you never, ever saw a TCU coach scouting Dallas Classic League. Their attitude was "we dont need to recruit Dallas, the top players will just transfer back to us eventually."
Well that attitude never worked and the program languished in obscurity. Finally a new athletic director was brought in and the goal was to elevate all programs in the athletic department. Between Title IX compliance and a lack of ambition within the soccer program TCU mens soccer was cut.
Now there are rumblings again. Could TCU mens soccer resurface in Fort Worth? There is no question TCU will have alot of extra money from the move to the Big East. There is a massive recruiting base right in their own back yard with the Dallas Classic League and the TCU name is carrying weight nationally with the powerful football program. The school would probably need to add a womens sport to balance Title IX, but again, the money will be there.
Hopefully in 2012 when TCU moves to the Big East, mens soccer will return. Some pressure from our soccer loving public couldn't hurt either could it? Maybe an email TCU's way is in order?
Label: TCU mens soccer return, TCU big east soccer
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