PDF of the CoSIDA memo to the NCAA Division I Council
A popular topic of discussion recently within college athletics is the
21st Century Model that proposes to split NCAA Division I men’s soccer into both fall and spring competitive seasons.
This proposal has been in the works since prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and is now scheduled to be voted upon by the NCAA Division I council at its meetings on April 13, 2022.
After seeing considerable discussion on social media, CoSIDA conducted a brief survey last week of CoSIDA members in Division I whose institutions sponsor men’s soccer to get their feedback on how such a change would impact their season workloads and other communications responsibilities. The survey results indicated that most felt it would be difficult, or not possible, to handle such a change without additional staffing or resources.
As part of CoSIDA’s continuing membership advocacy efforts, CoSIDA President
Cindy Potter and Executive Director
Doug Vance penned a memo on behalf of the Executive Board of Directors to the NCAA Division I Council sharing the concerns of those in our profession.
A copy of the memo is included below.
If you have any questions or feedback, please contact a member of the
CoSIDA Executive Board of Directors or the CoSIDA national staff, or
CoSIDA's NCAA Division I Cabinet.
TO: Members of the NCAA Division I Council
FROM: Cindy Potter, President, and Doug Vance, Executive Director, on behalf of the CoSIDA Executive Board of Directors
DATE: 4 April 2022
RE: Division I Men’s Soccer 21st Century Model
Thank you for the opportunity to address the 21st Century Model proposal that would split the NCAA Division I men’s soccer competitive schedule into fall and spring seasons.
As the national association of college athletics communicators and creatives, College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) has concerns about the impact of the 21st Century Model on athletics communications professionals, most notably the extension of a competitive season and the addition of another sport to an already full slate of spring sports on many campuses.
We recently conducted a survey of CoSIDA members at Division I institutions that sponsor men’s soccer for feedback on how a split season would affect their ability to properly support the communications, creative and gameday needs of their teams.
Following are key findings from this survey:
- 73% indicated the addition of a spring sport would be difficult for their staff or would not be possible without additional staff
- 70% of respondents from Autonomy 5 institutions said they could not support this change without additional staffing, indicating this change is not only an issue for understaffed low- and mid-major schools
- 15% said it would be possible to support an additional spring sport but would require significant restructuring of their responsibilities
- 99% of our members surveyed say they have received no direction from their athletic director or supervisor about how they would manage such a change
Our members nearly unanimously report the college athletics industry is facing a crisis with employee burnout and mental health, and the stresses of a change like this, without proper changes in support, will add to those issues.
Communications staff join colleagues in other departments such as athletic training in expressing the need for more support to make a career in athletics sustainable. This feels like a step in the opposite direction without guaranteed additional resources. Our members experienced unique and difficult season overlaps during the recent pandemic and this proposal would exacerbate the issue.
Our members have additional concerns that, if passed, this proposal would lead to other divisions and/or women’s soccer and other fall or spring sports wanting to transition to a two-semester model.
In the Concerns and FAQs section on the
21stcenturymodel.org website, advocates for the proposed change mention as positive a “significant reduction in fall/winter support staff demands.” It fails, however, to address a corresponding increase in spring sports demands during the most highly concentrated sports season within collegiate athletics and that men’s soccer would now require a dedicated athletics communications staff member for both semesters rather than just one.
If student-athlete welfare is the primary concern being addressed by this proposal, then it should be noted that the communications and creative needs of men’s soccer (and other overlapping sports) could be diluted with already overextended staff asked to cover another team during a formerly secondary/exhibition season.
If the addition of an extended season of men’s soccer results in additional communications staff and other resources, it would be a win-win scenario for both the sport and those who provide institutions’ communications needs. Without that assurance, we encourage you to vote against this proposal. The mental health of our members and the quality of coverage for your teams is at risk.
The proponents of the changes should be commended for their interest in student-athlete welfare. CoSIDA shares their concern for student-athletes. Our members promote them daily on your campuses and support their academic and athletic achievements through our longstanding commitment to the Academic All-America program. We ask for similar consideration for the sake of athletics communications professionals on your campuses.
Thank you for your consideration. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us.