After seeing the Shocks struggle to compete in both men's and women's golf in the AAC (notwithstanding Taryn's Torgerson's individual championship last year) I am beginning to think that perhaps men's and women's soccer may well be better options from a competitive standpoint than golf. The Shocker men have finished last in the AAC both last year and this year (and it wasn't close) and after a 5th place finish last year by the women carried by Taryn's record setting performance the Shock fell to 9th out of 10 teams this year (only 1 shot out of last place). Furthermore the 1 men's golfer and the 2 women golfers that were somewhat competitive this year have completed their eligibility so it's hard to see this changing in the next couple of years.
Thankfully, golf doesn't generate much, if any, revenue so these poor performances are of little consequence other than a blow to Shocker pride. It is looking to me like both men's and women's golf may be the 2 Shocker sports that will have the most trouble competing in the AAC although it has only been 2 years. By contrast Shocker golf was perennially at the top of the heap in the Valley. The Shocks will no doubt have very good golfers on their teams from time to time but building the quality depth might be a challenge. I suspect our late winter/ealry spring weather doesn't make this any easier. The Shocks are done with the season just as the weather is starting to warm up.
From a competitive standpoint the Shockers would probably be better off with men's & women's soccer in place of the golf teams but the scholarship loads (a combined 23.9 for soccer vs a combined 10.5 for golf) and perhaps travels cost are perhaps quite a bit more as well although the golf team is gone for at least 3 days at a time and have no home tournaments. Plus the only thing going on in the fall is volleyball and XC. In the Spring we have baseball, softball, tennis, track & field and golf. However, soccer has the potential to generate much more revenue than golf. So not sure how these would compare financially on a net basis. That said I am not expecting any changes forthcoming soon but if I'm the Shocker AD I probably at least would be giving this some thought.
It's not that I am anti-golf. I'm not. I'm just wondering what makes the most sense for WSU as a member of the AAC.
Thankfully, golf doesn't generate much, if any, revenue so these poor performances are of little consequence other than a blow to Shocker pride. It is looking to me like both men's and women's golf may be the 2 Shocker sports that will have the most trouble competing in the AAC although it has only been 2 years. By contrast Shocker golf was perennially at the top of the heap in the Valley. The Shocks will no doubt have very good golfers on their teams from time to time but building the quality depth might be a challenge. I suspect our late winter/ealry spring weather doesn't make this any easier. The Shocks are done with the season just as the weather is starting to warm up.
From a competitive standpoint the Shockers would probably be better off with men's & women's soccer in place of the golf teams but the scholarship loads (a combined 23.9 for soccer vs a combined 10.5 for golf) and perhaps travels cost are perhaps quite a bit more as well although the golf team is gone for at least 3 days at a time and have no home tournaments. Plus the only thing going on in the fall is volleyball and XC. In the Spring we have baseball, softball, tennis, track & field and golf. However, soccer has the potential to generate much more revenue than golf. So not sure how these would compare financially on a net basis. That said I am not expecting any changes forthcoming soon but if I'm the Shocker AD I probably at least would be giving this some thought.
It's not that I am anti-golf. I'm not. I'm just wondering what makes the most sense for WSU as a member of the AAC.
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