American Athletic Conference

[Unorthoshox]

[1972Shocker]

How many schools in the AAC play soccer? That seems like a more reasonable add to sports. The popularity is gaining and would be a ton cheaper.

8 men's teams and 11 women's teams play soccer in the AAC. But before we add any new sports we need to make sure all our existing sports are fixed and moving in the right direction. We just hired a new women's basketball coach to hopefully get that program on firm footing although the new Coach will have big challenge.

Our biggest problem right now is Baseball. Unlikely we ever return to the glory days. Too much has changed in the sport. But we need to be doing a heckuva lot better in terms of on the field performance and fan interest then we are right now.

I have no problems adding soccer. But we need to make sure we have the ability to do it right and not hurt any of our other programs. It may be a ton cheaper but it also unlikely to come anywhere close to paying its own way. You have the cost of 24 more scholarships (are you ready to up your SASO donations for soccer?), coaching salaries and benefits, support staff, uniforms and facility costs and travel expenses. Sure it's far cheaper than football but it is far from free.

Soccer could be in our future but I think it will be quite awhile, if ever.

[Rocky Mountain Shock]

I'm happy to leave it as WSU is the basketball power in Kansas, K State the football power, and KU the...

We'll have to find something for KU

[WuShock Reaper]

"If Wichita State Joins the AAC, What Does That Mean for UC?" - SB*Nation

The Shockers would be a major addition to the conference.

http://www.downthedrive.com/2017/4/6/15206228/if-wichita-state-joins-the-aac-what-does-that-mean-for-uc

by Phil Neuffer
Apr 6, 2017, 11:16am EDT

"...So, since we can focus on the basketball side alone, this seems like a very simple and easy yes from UC’s perspective. Right now, SMU, UC and usually UConn are the dominant forces in a top-heavy league. That means the Bearcats don’t have a slew of tough-notch opponents to build itself up with. Sure, they do a solid job of scheduling, with Xavier, Butler, Rhode Island and Iowa State serving as excellent benchmarks this past season, but that all gets deluded by the matchups with Tulane, USF and East Carolina. We just looked at Wichita State’s strength of schedule with some derision, but its not like UC was playing 30 Kentucky’s all year, ranking 80th in SOS. Aside from joining a new and better conference, UC can most help its SOS and standing as a program, as well as the standing of the AAC as a whole, by the addition of more successful programs. Wichita State is one of those. Plus, on a more semantic level, Wichita State’s addition would also even out the number of team’s in the conference, making the AAC a 12-team league in basketball.

In conclusion, UC should be excited about the possibility of Wichita State joining the conference. Sure, it will make it harder to win the league and bring a whole new monster to the pool, but if the Bearcats want the respect they deserve, they need to be willing to challenge themselves."

[Shockerman]

8 men's teams and 11 women's teams play soccer in the AAC. But before we add any new sports we need to make sure all our existing sports are fixed and moving in the right direction. We just hired a new women's basketball coach to hopefully get that program on firm footing although the new Coach will have big challenge.

Our biggest problem right now is Baseball. Unlikely we ever return to the glory days. Too much has changed in the sport. But we need to be doing a heckuva lot better in terms of on the field performance and fan interest then we are right now.

I have no problems adding soccer. But we need to make sure we have the ability to do it right and not hurt any of our other programs. It may be a ton cheaper but it also unlikely to come anywhere close to paying its own way. You have the cost of 24 more scholarships (are you ready to up your SASO donations for soccer?), coaching salaries and benefits, support staff, uniforms and facility costs and travel expenses. Sure it's far cheaper than football but it is far from free.

Soccer could be in our future but I think it will be quite awhile, if ever.

I see women's soccer, women's rowing, and sand volleyball in our future.

[JayPak]

Creighton fans would love a rivalry with Wichita State in soccer. In the past 6 seasons, Creighton has been to 2 Final Fours (called the College Cup), 2 Elite Eights, and a Sweet Sixteen, so a non-football school can indeed succeed in college soccer. There are 205 men's D-I soccer teams, and 332 schools field a women's team. Soccer does NOT take up 24 scholarships as a previous poster mentioned. The scholarship limit is 9.9 for men and 14 for women; soccer is not a "head count sport" so the schollies can be divided amongst players however the school wants to do it.

Congratulations on the rebirth of your athletic program tomorrow as an AAC school!

[1972Shocker]

I see women's soccer, women's rowing, and sand volleyball in our future.

If we add football we obviously will have to be adding some women's sports and/or cutting some men's sports.

[1972Shocker]

Soccer does NOT take up 24 scholarships as a previous poster mentioned. The scholarship limit is 9.9 for men and 14 for women; soccer is not a "head count sport" so the schollies can be divided amongst players however the school wants to do it.

9.9 + 14 is 23.9 scholarships. Okay, so I rounded up, My bad. Divide those 23.9 scholarships up any way you like. It is still adds up to 23.9 scholarships if your sport is fully funded and if you aren't fully funding your sport then you aren't doing it right IMHO.

[shockerfan]

According to UConn's beat writer, they are supportive.



http://www.kwch.com/content/news/UCo...418553283.html

Don't show that to some of their fans. Lol

[ShockingButTrue]

I'm happy to leave it as WSU is the basketball power in Kansas, K State the football power, and KU the...

Apparently so is B. Self. He's tired of the Valley!

[Shock Top]

are you ready to up your SASO donations for soccer?

Yes

[MemTGRS]

Here's how to restore football and get the team playing in the AAC. (Hint: They're not going to share revenue with an additional school that isn't delivering TV revenue on their own).

1. Start an FCS football team. Good luck finding a league. May have to go independent.
2. Play through the NCAA's probationary period to get up to FBS qualification.
3. Play as an independent until establishing a national brand and probably 3 out of 5 years in the top-25 (consistently). Probably over a 10-year period.
4. Get an invite from the AAC.

It's just that simple. 4 steps to joining an FBS football league.

It would be a lot of travel but 99.9% sure the Big South woula WSU FCS football program. They need bodies as they will be be down to just 7 members after Liberty moves to FBS. And 2 of those (Kennesaw and Campbell) are very new with the sport.

[1972Shocker]

Yes

Good, because that is what will be needed. Of course, it might take more than just you and while I am sure there are more I am not sure whether there are enough.

[rrshock]

Good, because that is what will be needed. Of course, it might take more than just you and while I am sure there are more I am not sure whether there are enough.

There is always the chance of bringing on new donors with the addition of this sport. Our international student alumni base could be a surprise. Local interest would definitely be there as well.

[Shock Top]

There is always the chance of bringing on new donors with the addition of this sport. Our international student alumni base could be a surprise. Local interest would definitely be there as well.

Didn't think of the international alumni support. Great point.

You are right, lots of great soccer in the Wichita area. KC and OKC can be draws too. Plenty of good players out there.