NCAA turns down spring season proposal

[Hilltopper]

No split season for soccer.

 

https://www.ncaa.org/news/2026/6/24/media-center-di-cabinet-remands-two-semester-mens-soccer-proposal-to-oversight-committee-for-further-review.aspx

[Zips1991]

34 minutes ago, Hilltopper said:

No split season for soccer.

 

https://www.ncaa.org/news/2026/6/24/media-center-di-cabinet-remands-two-semester-mens-soccer-proposal-to-oversight-committee-for-further-review.aspx

Sounds like they put it on hold and are asking for more clarity and details. It may not start next season but it could still be coming soon.

[Hilltopper]

3 hours ago, Zips1991 said:

Sounds like they put it on hold and are asking for more clarity and details. It may not start next season but it could still be coming soon.

75% of the D-1 conferences voted no.

[72 Roo]

3 hours ago, Hilltopper said:

75% of the D-1 conferences voted no.

I don't believe the soccer playing conferences would not support this. The coaches recommended overwhelming approval of the two season concept. According to Jared the conferences that cared about soccer (BE, ACC, Sunbelt) were the ones driving this proposal. It is a complete joke that the cabinet sent the proposal back to the oversight committee to investigate the affect it would have on academics. Anyone who knew what D1 soccer players go thru in a season that has up to 3 games in 5 or 6 days would know the split in seasons with one game a week is far better for the players and their academics. If they cared about the athletes they would rush to this concept. Injuries would also be significantly reduced with more time for rest and time for treatment. I hope this concept is adopted. 

[ZZZips]

Final decision is in.  Soccer is a fall semester sport.

 

 

 

[ZZZips]

Full story:

 

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/50398688/mens-college-soccer-ncaa-calendar-2-semesters-season

 

[72 Roo]

This relegates soccer to continue as a minor sport that cares little about the players health or academics. This proposal was overwhelmingly favored by the schools that took the game seriously.

[Zips1991]

I saw earlier that coach Embick is for the split season. Personally, I'm against it because I don't want to attend a home match in February 😂

[Let'sGoZips94]

11 hours ago, 72 Roo said:

This relegates soccer to continue as a minor sport that cares little about the players health or academics. This proposal was overwhelmingly favored by the schools that took the game seriously.

 

Unbelievably idiotic that schools who don't even sponsor soccer got a vote. 

[Hilltopper]

12 hours ago, Zips1991 said:

I saw earlier that coach Embick is for the split season. Personally, I'm against it because I don't want to attend a home match in February 😂

This is the heart of the matter. It would be too expensive! Nobody is going to play matches in the northern states in February. The travel costs are not sustainable.

[Blue & Gold]

Wouldn't the proposed 2nd half of the season be a spring sport, e.g. baseball/softball?  

I.e. we wouldn't be playing in January/February, would we?

 

Proposal: start the season in the spring semester along w/ baseball/softball... take ~2 months off for summer, and then conclude the season in the fall?

[ZippyRulz]

1 hour ago, Blue & Gold said:

Wouldn't the proposed 2nd half of the season be a spring sport, e.g. baseball/softball?  

I.e. we wouldn't be playing in January/February, would we?

 

Proposal: start the season in the spring semester along w/ baseball/softball... take ~2 months off for summer, and then conclude the season in the fall?

 

I think too many spring graduations would derail that, especially at smaller schools where academic programming is on a tighter schedule.

 

Edited Saturday at 06:53 PM by ZippyRulz

[ZippyRulz]

 

[72 Roo]

This an outstanding explanation of why soccer needs to adopt a split season approach if the college game is to grow. Sasha Cirovski presents a logical, feasible, financially responsible and athlete centered solution to the failings of the current season. Akron has had three games in 7-8 days almost every season. These point out the wear and tear taken on the players. The current setup cares nothing about that. A split season allows for one game a week, lots of development, lots of rest and rehab, and lots of time for academics. The biggest objections I have heard to this plan is games will be played in February and March. What isn't said is coaches in the north will schedule southern games for better weather or play later in the spring season. The season may be extended to give better weather dates too. This plan failed because the stupid, corrupt NCAA allowed 76 schools with no soccer to vote. That is like allowing Akron to vote on rodeo (yes, the NCAA does sponsor rodeo). The benefits of this plan to the players, game and future are invaluable.

[UAZipster0305]

1 hour ago, 72 Roo said:

This an outstanding explanation of why soccer needs to adopt a split season approach if the college game is to grow. Sasha Cirovski presents a logical, feasible, financially responsible and athlete centered solution to the failings of the current season. Akron has had three games in 7-8 days almost every season. These point out the wear and tear taken on the players. The current setup cares nothing about that. A split season allows for one game a week, lots of development, lots of rest and rehab, and lots of time for academics. The biggest objections I have heard to this plan is games will be played in February and March. What isn't said is coaches in the north will schedule southern games for better weather or play later in the spring season. The season may be extended to give better weather dates too. This plan failed because the stupid, corrupt NCAA allowed 76 schools with no soccer to vote. That is like allowing Akron to vote on rodeo (yes, the NCAA does sponsor rodeo). The benefits of this plan to the players, game and future are invaluable.

Agreed. I gained a lot of respect for Coach Cirovski through this video. I also understand the reasoning for splitting the season and agree it is best for all stakeholders.

 

It is also appalling to me that schools that do not have men's soccer programs have the right to vote on this topic and undermine its viability. They have no direct interests in this matter and should not have a say.

[72 Roo]

The split season plan was overwhelming supported by the best soccer playing conferences in the country - the ACC, Big East, Big Ten and CUSA. Just think if a change in football, such as a 24 team playoff, was supported by the powers in the CFP. It would happen no matter what, as it has. I believe that if the NCAA would listen to the coaches and AD's the sport would grow and make money eventually. Make the games meaningful. Capture the public's attention by competition in line with the academic year. Market the games. MLS is growing rapidly. Make college soccer a viable entry in the pros. There are great coaches in college soccer. Get out of their way and let them do what is best for the players and sport, which are not mutually exclusive. End of rant.