Comments on: Grant Wahl on Diversity in American Soccer http://cultureofsoccer.com/2007/08/25/grant-wahl-on-diversity-in-american-soccer/ Mon, 27 Sep 2010 17:08:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Pegasus http://cultureofsoccer.com/2007/08/25/grant-wahl-on-diversity-in-american-soccer/comment-page-1/#comment-2451 Pegasus Sat, 01 Sep 2007 19:24:28 +0000 http://cultureofsoccer.com/2007/08/25/grant-wahl-on-diversity-in-american-soccer/#comment-2451 If there is a question of whether having more Latin players brings in more Latino fans the Dallas will be under a microscope the rest of the year. With Denilson, Toja, Ruiz, Ricchetti, Sala, Ricardinho and Alvarez there can't be much more FC Dallas can do. Now whether Latino fans follow will be seen. If there is a question of whether having more Latin players brings in more Latino fans the Dallas will be under a microscope the rest of the year. With Denilson, Toja, Ruiz, Ricchetti, Sala, Ricardinho and Alvarez there can’t be much more FC Dallas can do. Now whether Latino fans follow will be seen.

]]> By: East River http://cultureofsoccer.com/2007/08/25/grant-wahl-on-diversity-in-american-soccer/comment-page-1/#comment-2420 East River Thu, 30 Aug 2007 20:01:29 +0000 http://cultureofsoccer.com/2007/08/25/grant-wahl-on-diversity-in-american-soccer/#comment-2420 Hi David It is interesting to talk about the lack of Black participation in soccer. Just recently I became aware of two Black colleges who exceled in soccer. Howard University actually won 2 Division 1 college soccer national titles in 1971 and 1974, but was stripped of its 1971 title for reasons I don't know. Additionally, Alabama A&M University won 3 Division 2 college soccer national titles and then apparently moved up to Division 1 and played for the Divison 1 college soccer title in 1981 losing in the final match. Thats amazing that in a span on 10 years 2 Black colleges would a 4 college soccer national titles and yet it still be seen as a white suburban sport. How did those two Black colleges excel in soccer? Who were on their teams? Was it all one coach? Why only this 10 year span and the 1987 Howard team? Why was Howard stripped of its 1971 title? The questions keep coming. Its worthy to note both Howard and Alabama A&M still have men's soccer programs. Its unusual for a Black college to contend for a national title in anything especially on the Division 1 level yet these 2 school did just that. So with that kind of success in the sport it is weird that it is still seen as a white suburban sport. If you David or anyone else can school on this "golden age of Black college soccer" I would really appreciate the knowledge. East River Hi David

It is interesting to talk about the lack of Black participation in soccer. Just recently I became aware of two Black colleges who exceled in soccer. Howard University actually won 2 Division 1 college soccer national titles in 1971 and 1974, but was stripped of its 1971 title for reasons I don’t know. Additionally, Alabama A&M University won 3 Division 2 college soccer national titles and then apparently moved up to Division 1 and played for the Divison 1 college soccer title in 1981 losing in the final match. Thats amazing that in a span on 10 years 2 Black colleges would a 4 college soccer national titles and yet it still be seen as a white suburban sport. How did those two Black colleges excel in soccer? Who were on their teams? Was it all one coach? Why only this 10 year span and the 1987 Howard team? Why was Howard stripped of its 1971 title? The questions keep coming.

Its worthy to note both Howard and Alabama A&M still have men’s soccer programs. Its unusual for a Black college to contend for a national title in anything especially on the Division 1 level yet these 2 school did just that. So with that kind of success in the sport it is weird that it is still seen as a white suburban sport.

If you David or anyone else can school on this “golden age of Black college soccer” I would really appreciate the knowledge.

East River

]]> By: Adam http://cultureofsoccer.com/2007/08/25/grant-wahl-on-diversity-in-american-soccer/comment-page-1/#comment-2384 Adam Wed, 29 Aug 2007 19:05:18 +0000 http://cultureofsoccer.com/2007/08/25/grant-wahl-on-diversity-in-american-soccer/#comment-2384 Everyone likes to state the seemingly obvious, that there not only need to be more latino players and coaches on the field, but in administration as well. How exactly is this supposed to be accomplished, give preference? Sounds like affirmative action, upon which I frown. Where latino fans attracted to baseball b/c there where latinos playing, or for love of the game? No one seems to be asking these questions... Everyone likes to state the seemingly obvious, that there not only need to be more latino players and coaches on the field, but in administration as well. How exactly is this supposed to be accomplished, give preference? Sounds like affirmative action, upon which I frown. Where latino fans attracted to baseball b/c there where latinos playing, or for love of the game? No one seems to be asking these questions…

]]> By: John http://cultureofsoccer.com/2007/08/25/grant-wahl-on-diversity-in-american-soccer/comment-page-1/#comment-2342 John Tue, 28 Aug 2007 02:19:18 +0000 http://cultureofsoccer.com/2007/08/25/grant-wahl-on-diversity-in-american-soccer/#comment-2342 I believe that the MLS could do quite a bit more in attracting the Latino community by having more Latino players take the field. The MLS is erroring by not attracting an established (Latino) fan base. It seems that the MLS is concerned with the super star effect, by attracting the likes of Beckham, and talks of bringing Zidane to its stage. The superstar effect can attract fans, however look at the late 1970's league and what happened with the likes of Pele and other European greats. I believe there is also and untapped market of African American players who aren't playing the game due to it being so suburban "white" in nature (at least here in the states) and by these kids not knowing anything about the game. Properly attracting youngsters with natural abilities who can be taught and/or get exposed to the game can only improve American soccer and hopefully lead to greater respect in the international soccer community I believe that the MLS could do quite a bit more in attracting the Latino community by having more Latino players take the field. The MLS is erroring by not attracting an established (Latino) fan base. It seems that the MLS is concerned with the super star effect, by attracting the likes of Beckham, and talks of bringing Zidane to its stage. The superstar effect can attract fans, however look at the late 1970′s league and what happened with the likes of Pele and other European greats. I believe there is also and untapped market of African American players who aren’t playing the game due to it being so suburban “white” in nature (at least here in the states) and by these kids not knowing anything about the game. Properly attracting youngsters with natural abilities who can be taught and/or get exposed to the game can only improve American soccer and hopefully lead to greater respect in the international soccer community

]]> By: Howard http://cultureofsoccer.com/2007/08/25/grant-wahl-on-diversity-in-american-soccer/comment-page-1/#comment-2332 Howard Mon, 27 Aug 2007 18:41:18 +0000 http://cultureofsoccer.com/2007/08/25/grant-wahl-on-diversity-in-american-soccer/#comment-2332 Excellent point about MLS's dilemma when it comes to marketing and new fans. I see MLS as having a big conundrum on their hands - many of the the die-hard fans, the ones who provide the passion that makes for a memorable atmosphere, are from cultures (whether European or Latin American) where soccer is a much more macho passtime. We like to drink, we like to shout, and we like to use profane language. For us, soccer is a way of getting away from our daily responsibilities, a chance to let our hair down. This contrasts sharply with the needs of the suburban family crowd that MLS is trying to market to. I dont know what the answer is, which segment provides a better long term solution for MLS, but I do think the two markets are pretty incompatible. Excellent point about MLS’s dilemma when it comes to marketing and new fans. I see MLS as having a big conundrum on their hands – many of the the die-hard fans, the ones who provide the passion that makes for a memorable atmosphere, are from cultures (whether European or Latin American) where soccer is a much more macho passtime. We like to drink, we like to shout, and we like to use profane language. For us, soccer is a way of getting away from our daily responsibilities, a chance to let our hair down. This contrasts sharply with the needs of the suburban family crowd that MLS is trying to market to. I dont know what the answer is, which segment provides a better long term solution for MLS, but I do think the two markets are pretty incompatible.

]]> By: Daily Dose 08.27.07 - World Football - The Offside - Soccer News and Opinion from leagues around the world http://cultureofsoccer.com/2007/08/25/grant-wahl-on-diversity-in-american-soccer/comment-page-1/#comment-2326 Daily Dose 08.27.07 - World Football - The Offside - Soccer News and Opinion from leagues around the world Mon, 27 Aug 2007 15:02:39 +0000 http://cultureofsoccer.com/2007/08/25/grant-wahl-on-diversity-in-american-soccer/#comment-2326 [...] Talkin’ diversity and American soccer with Grant Wahl (Culture of Soccer) [...] [...] Talkin’ diversity and American soccer with Grant Wahl (Culture of Soccer) [...]

]]> By: Pitch Invasion · It's in the (inter)net! August 26, 2007 http://cultureofsoccer.com/2007/08/25/grant-wahl-on-diversity-in-american-soccer/comment-page-1/#comment-2290 Pitch Invasion · It's in the (inter)net! August 26, 2007 Sun, 26 Aug 2007 15:20:30 +0000 http://cultureofsoccer.com/2007/08/25/grant-wahl-on-diversity-in-american-soccer/#comment-2290 [...] Grant Wahl on diversity in US soccer (Culture of Soccer) About pitchinvasion.net [...] [...] Grant Wahl on diversity in US soccer (Culture of Soccer) About pitchinvasion.net [...]

]]> By: Joe http://cultureofsoccer.com/2007/08/25/grant-wahl-on-diversity-in-american-soccer/comment-page-1/#comment-2287 Joe Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:11:52 +0000 http://cultureofsoccer.com/2007/08/25/grant-wahl-on-diversity-in-american-soccer/#comment-2287 Good luck with the trip. Hope it turns out to be everything you want it to be. Good luck with the trip. Hope it turns out to be everything you want it to be.

]]> By: jp2 http://cultureofsoccer.com/2007/08/25/grant-wahl-on-diversity-in-american-soccer/comment-page-1/#comment-2282 jp2 Sun, 26 Aug 2007 02:33:58 +0000 http://cultureofsoccer.com/2007/08/25/grant-wahl-on-diversity-in-american-soccer/#comment-2282 Go west young man. Love the writing, keep it up. Go west young man. Love the writing, keep it up.

]]> By: Adam http://cultureofsoccer.com/2007/08/25/grant-wahl-on-diversity-in-american-soccer/comment-page-1/#comment-2281 Adam Sun, 26 Aug 2007 00:30:14 +0000 http://cultureofsoccer.com/2007/08/25/grant-wahl-on-diversity-in-american-soccer/#comment-2281 good luck on the trip David. so jealous; oh to be going back to school. good luck on the trip David. so jealous; oh to be going back to school.

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