March 9, 2011 -- After two years of study, the NCAA decided not to play the men's and women's Division I College Cups the same weekend afterall. As reported by the NSCAA today, the Men's and Women's Soccer Committees felt it was in the best interest of both genders to play the championships at different sites on different weekends.
The NSCAA applauded the move, and pointed to member surveys that showed little support for a combined mens/women's event, notwithstanding the appeal of a "mega soccer" weekend that might appeal to a broad fan base. Other concerns were the effect of two tournaments rather than one would have on the playing field, especially in bad weather; the effect on conference tournaments; and the possible perception that one gender's tournament had the "marquee" games of the weekend, to the detriment of the other.
While I've always liked "boy-girl" doubleheaders in high school soccer (and basketball), and while I recognize the advantages of a combined event, I tend to agree with the NCAA and the NSCAA that overall it's best to keep the Cups separate.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment