Every Challenge Presents an Opportunity
How will you solve it on your campus?
Every campus is different. It is important to analyze what changes are realistically necessary in the 21st Century Model.
Create a mock schedule, do a budget analysis, ask your support staff, etc.
What positive opportunities can come from this change?
The below tabs list potential solutions that can be used on many campuses as well as opportunities that will present themselves in the 21st Century Model.
Ask for help:
Ask other coaches in your conference to explain how they are addressing their concerns.
Ask this website: Email us at info@21stCenturyModel.org
Remember Why Change is necessary
does THE 21ST CENTURY MODEL COST MORE?
Although adjustments and redistributions will need to be made, it should be noted that there is no necessity for overall increase or decrease in funding due to the the 21st Century Model. There is already significant variation in funding of soccer programs in our current model - equipment budgets, recruiting budgets, # of scholarships, size of coaching staffs and salaries, size of support staffs, etc. - and the 21st Century Model does not necessitate an increase or decrease in overall budget. It is encouraged that each program seriously consider the specifics of what adjustments, additions or reductions might realistically take place. Below are potential cost savings to keep in mind that might apply on your campus.
REDUCTION OF TOTAL GAMES
From 25 Total Games to 23 Total Regular Season and Exhibition Games
One Less Home Game: Officials, Meals, Support Staff Hours
One Less Away Game: Travel Expenses, Meals, Support Staff Hours
REDUCTION IN MAJOR INJURIES
MRI Costs
Surgery Costs
Reduction and redistribution of midweek matches will significantly decrease mental and physical stressors that lead to injury.
REDUCTION OF PRESEASON COSTS
Reduce or eliminate housing and meal expenses incurred prior to campus dorms opening and meal plans beginning.
Meals: 3 meals per day x # of players on the roster x # of days before campus opens
Housing: Hotel Rooms or Early Dorm Move-In x # players on the roster
REDUCED SUMMER FUNDING
Decreased urgency to finish degree in 7 semesters prior to the MLS Draft. Student Athletes will instead utilize 4 full years to complete degree.
With decompressed season, less need for student athletes to attend summer school in preparation for the fall season.
Student Athletes will have more time to adjust in the fall - can attend first year orientation and acclimate to college life.
ATHLETIC TRAINERS
With reduced injuries due to proper recovery from matches, there will be less required of athletic trainers on a day to day basis.
Reduction in major injuries leads to major reduction in rehabilitation hours. Reduction in minor injuries will also reduce hours required.
Reduction from 25 to 23 total regular season and exhibition Games. One less home game, one less road trip.
Potential adjustment solution for athletic trainer primary sport allocation:
September - Thanksgiving: Men’s Soccer
Thanksgiving - Mid March: Wrestling or other Winter Sport
Mid March - May: Men’s Soccer
SUPPORT STAFF (FACILITIES, OPERATIONS, MARKETING, SID, ETC.)
Reduction of support staff demands during and in preparation for football and basketball season.
6 regular season matches removed from fall season.
Up to 9 postseason matches moved from November/December to April/May.
Reduction of total matches from 25 to 23. One less home game, one less road trip.
TRAVEL COST
Reduced premium on flying with more days in between matches.
Allows more flexibility for cheaper flight itineraries.
ROSTER SIZE
With more recovery time and fewer injuries, substitutions will reduce and rosters will not require large numbers.
Because there will be continuity in roster from fall to spring, coaches will not need to recruit a large fall roster with anticipation of losing seniors mid-year.
With a full year for freshmen to acclimate to college life and college soccer, there is a higher chance for significant playing time for freshmen. This will reduce the number of freshmen red-shirts which will lead to reduced roster sizes.
POTENTIAL FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND REVENUE
Weekend matches and improved weather conditions during post season promote increased attendance and opportunities for community engagement.
Increased potential for ticket sales and concessions.
Benefits of Changing to 21st Century Model:
BETTER CONDITIONS FOR POST-SEASON PLAY
Post season play is the pinnacle of college soccer, and our sport is largely judged on the success of our championship.
21st Century Model moves post-season from November/December to May/June.
Improved field conditions, improved weather conditions, enhanced playing experience, enhanced fan experience.
Allows possibility for College Cup to be played in the northeast and other cold climates.
FEWER CANCELLED MATCHES
In a compressed season, it is too difficult to make up matches when postponed due to weather.
If a match is postponed by one day, it often does not make sense to play the game because there is too much match congestion.
In the 21st Century Model, a Friday or Saturday match could more easily be made up on Saturday or Sunday with no midweek game the following week.
WEATHER RELATED CONCERNS WITH THE TWO SEMESTER MODEL
POOR FIELD CONDITIONS IN MARCH
Potential Solutions:
Many teams are already using high quality artificial turf. Artificial playing surfaces are widely accepted throughout the world and sometimes preferred.
In the event that a grass field (or turf field) is unplayable in March or April, local facilities can be secured and used for regular season matches.
- Playing at local facilities can present opportunities for community engagement with local soccer clubs, high school / prep schools, etc.
Important to consider: Which is worse? Poor conditions during first regular season games in the spring, or poor conditions during conference tournament and NCAA tournament play?
IN COLDER CLIMATES, THERE IS UNPREDICTABLE SNOWFALL THROUGH THE BEGINNING OF APRIL
Potential solution:
Schedule one additional match in the fall, and one fewer match in the spring.
Schedule first two spring matches away to an opponent with warmer climate or playable facility.
Also important to consider: Which is worse? Poor conditions during first regular season games in the spring, or poor conditions during conference tournament and NCAA tournament play?
Facilities: How many additional home matches will take place in the spring?
- On average there will be 2 additional home competitions + post season matches.
- 4 additional regular season spring competitions = 2 home + 2 away
- Current Model: 5 total spring matches (2-3 Home, 2-3 Away)
- 21st Century Model: 9 regular season matches in the spring + post season matches
- Post-season matches vary by conference - home/away, neutral site, etc.
Important to Consider: The number of home matches in the spring can also be managed through scheduling. For example, it is possible to schedule one additional home match in the fall, and one fewer home match in the spring.
- Soccer teams presently use facilities throughout the fall and spring semesters. While cooperation would be needed, additional conflicts due to the 21st Century Model would be minimal on most campuses.
Will the 21st Century Model require additional staffing?
ATHLETIC TRAINERS
- With reduced injuries due to proper recovery from matches, there will be less required of athletic trainers on a day to day basis.
- Reduction in major injuries leads to a major reduction in rehabilitation hours. Reduction in minor injuries will also reduce hours required.
- Reduction of regular season matches from 25 to 23. One less home game, one less road trip.
- Significant reduction in fall demands. Reduction of 6 regular season matches in the fall (3 home, 3 away).
- No Men's Soccer activity from Thanksgiving to Mid January
- Potential adjustment solution for Athletic Trainer Primary Sport Allocation:
- September - Thanksgiving: Men’s Soccer
- Thanksgiving - Mid March: Wrestling or other Winter Sport
- Mid March - May: Men’s Soccer
SUPPORT STAFF (FACILITIES, OPERATIONS, MARKETING, SID, ETC.)
- Reduction of total matches from 25 to 23. One less home game, one less road trip.
- Significant reduction in fall/winter support staff demands
- Reduction of 6 regular season matches in the fall (3 home, 3 away) + postseason.
- No Men's Soccer activity from Thanksgiving to Mid January
- Significant reduction of staff demands during and in preparation for football and basketball season.
While the 21st Century Model's main objectives are to improve student athlete health and wellness and to improve the student athlete experience, this change in model also presents an opportunity to improve many issues that have been raised by Mid-Major Schools for years.
Current Problems:
A5 Schools Scheduling Disproportionate # of Home Games
- This issue has gotten increasingly worse as A5 schools have taken advantage of low guarantee costs and high RPI rankings.
- Increased awareness and emphasis placed on sport science is one major motivation to schedule midweek home matches vs non-conference opponents. Physical recovery can take place much faster and more efficiently when playing at home vs. away, so many schools are placing a premium on scheduling home non-conference games - especially midweek between two conference games.
- With more time between matches in the 21st Century Model, there is less premium on scheduling home matches due to recovery purposes.
- The 21st Century Model is a transformational proposal and offers a unique opportunity to re-examine the RPI along with other fundamental issues in Division I Men's College Soccer.
- There is significant discussion of increasing the RPI penalty for playing disproportionate # of home games and/or increasing the reward for playing games on the road.
- The chances of the rpi changing in the current model are very slim.
Inequality in Summer School Funding
- In the current model, schools who are able to fund summer school are able to get their players on campus prior to the compressed preseason. This allows teams a significant advantage to extend the otherwise very short preseason.
- The 21st Century Model reduces the need for summer school as a preparation period. Schools who play in post-season can play all the way into June. Those schools would not be best served asking their players to return for summer session II at the end of June.
RPI Favors Stronger Conferences too Much
- There is significant discussion regarding the possibility of changing the RPI along with the 21st Century Model. Potential improvements include:
- Freezing RPI after regular season
- Place more emphasis on Wins vs. Opponents Opponents Wins
- 35-50-15 vs. 25-50-25
- Increase reward for playing away matches / increase penalty for playing too many home matches.
- The 21st Century Model is a transformational proposal and offers a unique opportunity to re-examine the RPI along with other fundamental issues in Division I Men's College Soccer.
- The chances of the rpi changing in the current model are very slim.
Too many transfers
- With the introduction of the transfer portal, there has been an increase in number of transfers.
- The 21st Century Model provides an opportunity to reduce mid-year transfers by not allowing a mid-year transfer to participate in spring competition.
Other Questions and Opportunities with the 21st Century Model.
Will the A5 schools schedule more conference games and fewer mid-major opponents?
- The 21st Century Model allows for two additional opportunities to schedule non-conference regular season games in the championship segment.
- 2 additional regular season matches in the championship segment
- 21st Century Model: 3 Exhibitions, 20 Regular Season Matches
- Current Model : 7 Exhibitions, 18 Regular Season Matches
- There has been no discussion in the ACC or Big 10 about playing conference opponents twice or increasing the number of games in conference.
Opportunity to change substitution rule
- In the current model, the substitution rule is necessary for load management. In the 21st Century Model, with more recovery between matches, there will be an important opportunity to change the substitution rule
POTENTIAL BENEFITS TO MID-MAJOR SCHOOLS:
- With fewer substitutions, A5 schools will not rotate as many players and will likely not carry as large of a roster. This will increase the parity in college soccer rosters.
If this concept is good for the Division I men, why is it not also being pursued by the Division I women?
- The Division I women have developed a proposal to decompress the fall season for similar reasons that the men are pursuing the two semester championship model. In 2016 on an NCAA survey, Division I men’s and women’s coaches and student-athletes were asked if they supported a two semester championship model, but not specifically the Division I men’s 21st Century Model. On this survey, 50% of D I women’s head coaches expressed support for a two-semester season, but only 17 % of D I women’s players indicated support. This compared to over 90% Division I men’s head coaches and 70% of Division I men’s players expressing support on that survey. On a 2017 United Soccer Coaches survey for Division I men, 80% of 4777 men’s players expressed support for the 21st Century Model.
Time Demands/Academic Concentration
- The balanced fall and spring semester will reduce academic and athletic pressure points that are severe in the fall.
- Reduction of regular season matches from 25 to 23.
- Maximum 3 midweek matches through the academic year.
Championships – Conference & NCAA
- Spring championships will enhance the student-athlete experience that will make logistical adjustments a worthwhile investment.
Sports Science
STATEMENT ON THE NCAA SOCCER STUDY - JUNE 13, 2019 CSMAS
In February 2015, the NCAA Sport Science Institute hosted the NCAA Soccer Summit. The purpose of the event was to develop a strategic agenda for the improvement of health and safety of not just NCAA soccer student-athletes, but soccer athletes of all ages. This summit also represented the NCAA’s first attempt to address issues affecting the full breadth of the athlete development continuum within a single sport.One objective of the event was to identify knowledge gaps that might be addressed by future research. One identified gap was the optimum amount of time between competitions to minimize the risk of injury while maximizing athletic performance. In 2016 the NCAA SSI commissioned a pilot study to be conducted by the Korey Stringer Institute at the University of Connecticut for the purposes of determining if there is a relationship between the soccer schedule and injuries. In 2017 and 2018, the study was expanded to a total of 12 Division I men’s and women’s soccer teams and was augmented by NCAA soccer schedule and injury surveillance data. The preliminary results of this study were reviewed during the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards & Medical Aspects of Sports June 2019 meeting. The study suggests some change to the soccer season may be necessary.
THE STUDY REVEALS SEVERAL FINDINGS:
- In both the men’s and women’s game, preseason injuries occurring in practices were substantially higher than at any other point in the season or postseason (competition or practice).
- Both men’s and women’s soccer athletes experienced higher rates of injuries when matches occurred with 5 or less days of rest between games, as opposed to when there were 6 or more days of rest.
- Women’s soccer athletes experienced higher rate of overuse injuries when matches occurred with 5 or less days rest between games, as opposed to when there were 6 or more days of rest.
- Large increases in the volume of activity in a single day (beyond what athletes were accustomed to) were associated with increased injury risk.
- Women reported higher levels of sleep dysfunction, anxiety and disablement than men’s soccer players.
Two-Semester Sports (Men’s soccer would be classified as a Spring Sport like Golf, Rowing and Tennis)
INTERNATIONAL TOURS
- Available as for all other two-semester championship sports.
US SOCCER / MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER SUPPORT
- Both supportive of the proposed season structure change. MLS has indicated that they will work with college soccer on college to professional transitions for drafted players entering the league (the same as Major League Baseball).
