The topic came up on Twitter recently and the question was asked – “Why doesn’t Auburn have a men’s soccer team?”

I think the answer is pretty simple as to why most SEC schools don’t have a team – Title IX. The introduction of Title IX brought balance to sports, offering more scholarship opportunities to women on college campuses. But it also means we miss out on some sports, a la men’s soccer. There is nothing wrong with this in the slightest, as the world has changed and more opportunity has been afforded to women over the years. That’s always positive. Auburn boasts some dynamite teams in women’s sports, from soccer and softball all the way to equestrian, where the Tigers dominate the competition with superior horse skills. The question about men’s soccer coming to Auburn is complex and requires more than just the Tigers hoping on board. Ultimately, the other SEC schools need to get behind the idea as well. Let’s dive into some things that would need to happen in order for men’s soccer to become a reality for Auburn.

For this to even remotely be a possibility we would need to add balance to the sports at Auburn – and across the SEC -unless the Tigers were to compete in another conference. Kentucky actually fields a men’s soccer team and plays in C-USA. So the possibility of playing in another conference for that sport alone isn’t out of the realm of possibilities. If Auburn decided to trek out on there own and add soccer, C-USA would be a good landing spot. South Carolina is also a participant in C-USA along with some other east coast teams. The travel would not be harsh; New Mexico is the only team that is far away. For the most part, it would be east coast play. Another bonus to joining this conference would be playing UAB consistently. Developing a rivalry inside sports is key to them growing. What better rival than an in-state foe that would be on the schedule every year? C-USA offers a lot of upside as a conference to join. It offers a good conference to join with a solid travel schedule. This would be a good place for Auburn to get their toes wet in men’s soccer.

Besides all the tape that would need to be cut through and funding rerouted, the biggest thing would be the balance of scholarships. Auburn would need to add a sport to for the women to level the scales in terms of scholarships. Title IX requires scholarship and participation to be equal between men and women’s sports. With football offering 85 full scholarships, more women’s sports are needed to balance that number out.

“In the mid-1990s, Auburn was sued for Title IX and most SEC schools were unbalanced in Title IX so that’s when the SEC added women’s soccer,” Karen Hoppa told al.com back in 2011.

What would they add, then, for the women? Auburn has really filled up the sports on the women’s end and has wonderful programs in place in almost all of the sports. I believe there are a few choices, though. My first choice would be lacrosse. Lacrosse is an intriguing sport from a viewer perspective; it is hard hitting, well paced, and seems, from what I have viewed myself, is a fun sport to watch. I think it would honestly be a good addition, but would require finding a conference to play in and obviously developing a team. Lacrosse is a sport that would translate well to developing a following. With the action it offers on the field it would translate well into fans coming to support. Another suggestion I heard was synchronized swimming. In comparison to lacrosse that just isn’t a sport that would draw people to the stands. Nothing against synchronized swimming participants but it does not offer the action of a lacrosse.

So now we have theoretically balanced the scales at Auburn. We have a soccer team on the men’s side now, so what next? I think one of the biggest keys would be generating supporters. The Auburn Soccer Complex is a wonderful venue that should be packed every game without a problem. This would be key, because one of the greatest parts about sports is the atmosphere and, in soccer, it is almost crucial to have that around the team.

This should be a call to arms for women’s soccer as well. You can see a noticeable difference when those stands are packed and the crowd is roaring. Soccer is unique in that you get to act like a complete hooligan for ninety minutes and no one cares. Some of the best scenes from soccer around the world are local rivalry games with flares going off, giant tifos (which is just a coordinated sign display by the fans, either with the colors they wear or a massive canvas design), and chats ringing throughout the game. If Auburn were to start a men’s program, a dedicated fan base would be of the utmost importance in developing. I think before Auburn were to start any men’s program, the proper support should be given to the women’s side. For years, Coach Hoppa has built that team into a power. They play a good brand of soccer and deserve the support and a dedicated cheering section. I think for that team to take another step, this needs to happen at Auburn.

It would be exciting for Auburn to gain a soccer team on the men’s side. I love soccer and I love Auburn, but I think more importantly, we need to notice that we currently have other great sports and programs that need to be supported. I think strides can be made supporting these standard non-revenue sports before we consider what’s next. Softball, baseball, soccer, and equestrian have made leaps towards becoming powers in their respective sports. Now it is time, as the Auburn family, we support them wholeheartedly, through ups and downs. Then we can look at what’s next on The Plains.

War Eagle, Ever to Conquer Never to Yield!