For some time now, I’ve been plotting to draft something about the approaching SEC expansion. After many delays, it seems like the instant is eventually here, or so it looks. Texas AM officers had prepared an official statement for Wed. that would showcase their plans to become the thirtheenth member of the Southeastern Meeting . Just as they were stopped in their tracks by SEC officers two weeks back, the Aggies are once more being held hostage, this time by 8 groups in the Huge twelve that voted against their move. For the Aggies move to the SEC to go cleanly, it’ll need Oklahoma to remain in the Large twelve, a move that may likely save the way ahead for the meeting. No SEC expansion will happen till those 8 faculties surrender their right to chase legal proceedings against the SEC and Texas AM. Even with all of the issues being presented to both parties, the move will likely occur. In looking forward, the most vital query is, what does this mean for the way ahead for UK soccer? Notice I did not mention basketball there. I did not for excellent reasons. The SEC is all about soccer ; it’s the conference’s main earner. Though basketball is considered king in the Bluegrass, soccer brings in roughly $13 million more than basketball, according to a statement secured by Kristi Dosh, a writer for SportsMoney on Forbes.com.
That specific stat, based totally on the 2009-10 college year, showed clearly that UK soccer had a total profit of $17,984,848. Getting back on subject, UK soccer might be having a seriously rocky road ahead. While the Aggies will only set a challenge to those in the West, barring any realignment, the Moggies must gain a new enemy for the SEC to balance itself out.
Already playing the role of long shot, UK will face the problem of trying to rise no joke intended thru an even stronger division in the East. Latest hiring success has opened up coach Joker Phillips to new pipeline states in surrounding areas, but that would come to a sudden stop.
The difficulty lies in the proven fact that the approaching addition of new groups will permit those groups to pitch to sign ups the facility to play in the best meeting against the leading players in the country. On top of that, the prospects tossed around as practical groups on the SEC’s radar have a rich past of soccer success. Excepting Texas AM, other possible additions to the SEC include the West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Florida State, Missouri, Maryland and Clemson. What are Joker’s thoughts? In an August. Thirteen post-practice interview, Phillips jokingly acted like he was ignorant of any talk about a likely enlargement. Once on subject, Phillips informed the media, “It’s not a big thing to me.
If it expands, it expands, and if it does not, it doesn’t.” In comparison, I would not expect members of Giant Blue Country to share similar sensibilities as their head soccer coach. For fans hunting for future success for the soccer programme, this may throw a wrench into those plans unless UK gets on the inside track to taking the following step. All the way back to 2002, the Cats have finished only highs of 4th in the SEC East ( 4 times ). The incorporation of one, most likely 2, more groups makes hope for a 3rd SEC Championship, and the 1st since 1976, far more unlikely for a developing programme.
