Faculty soccer convention growth took off final offseason to the purpose the place a number of conferences are actually unrecognizable.
One convention, the Pac-12, is on life help after shedding each faculty however Oregon State and Washington State, however the fallout is that the Massive Ten extends all the best way west to Southern California and northwest to Oregon, whereas Cal and Stanford now play within the ACC — the Atlantic Coast Convention.
A variety of it does not make sense and, frankly, was simply a part of an influence seize. That is an influence seize the SEC was concerned with as nicely — the convention gained huge by profitable over Texas and Oklahoma — however not too long ago talking at SEC Media Days, convention commissioner Greg Sankey undoubtedly placed on the breaks in regard to any extra growth.
Rising from 14 groups to 16 groups appears “good” for Sankey.
“16 is our at this time, and 16 is our tomorrow,” Sankey stated, per On3. “We’re targeted on our 16, interval.”
Whereas school soccer management will be very like politicians — in that they are saying one factor whereas doing the opposite — it’s price noting that what Sankey says is smart.
He feels the SEC is extraordinarily sturdy, and that is exhausting to argue. He additionally feels that in a brand new school soccer period wherein location and historical past as gone out the window, the SEC has held on to a few of what makes school soccer so pricey to so many.
“We all know who we’re within the Southeastern Convention. We’re the one convention at this stage the place the title nonetheless means one thing,” Sankey stated. “We truly restored historic rivalries. We have now dates which have that means, that we perceive.”
There may definitely be one other spherical of growth within the close to future. Florida State and Clemson appear itchy to go away the ACC and both faculty would appear like a pure match for SEC nation.
Sankey does not but wish to touch upon that, although.
“I’m not going to guess on what occurs subsequent,” Sankey stated. “My job is to ensure we meet the usual of excellence that we now have for ourselves every day. That pulls curiosity. It’s executed that with the 2 universities that we now have added this 12 months. They’re not the one cellphone calls I’ve ever had, however I’m not concerned in recruitment.”
Sankey will not be actively recruiting, however you simply know he’ll take the cellphone name if the Seminoles or Tigers are on the opposite line. Both means, Sankey says he’ll stay fixated on the SEC.
“I’m satisfied by all this transformation, our greatest is but to return,” he stated.
