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The "Haves" and "Have-Nots."
Or maybe I should say the coaches who think they are with the "cool" programs and then the coaches who are trying to hang with the "cool" programs.
For years, high school soccer in the Chicago area has hurt itself with teams refusing to play different teams. The way the IHSA seeds its tournament only encourages it more and more, and on Monday I was once again reminded of who is cool and who is not.
So here's my question for you - why do the cool programs have such a problem with playing up-and-coming programs?
I know, and I'll tell you why. But first, I want to hear your thoughts.
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Joe - What do you mean by the "cool" programs? If you mean the programs that seem to be good year in and year out, what is wrong with playing other good programs? For example, Downers South plays in a pretty weak conference but schedules a number of strong non-conference opponents evry year. Playing lesser "up and coming" programs would dilute their schedule further. How long in advance are non-conference games scheduled? This year Hinsdale Central is a tough opponent, but last year they were weak because of losing some key club players. Are they a "cool" program? Real problem is that ISHA has no interest in getting the top teams to state so most of the "cool" programs have to play each other in the sectionals.
I don't think that is the case at all. I think coaches look at a few factors when scheduling.
1. What will the competition be like
2. The distance to travel
3. Relationship with other coach
4. Seeding for sectional
5. Voting for sectional players
I sort of agree, Joe, but things are getting somewhat better and the Pepsi Challenge series has helped a lot. But there are only so many teams you can play in a season. And you have conference games that have to be played. And travel time on school nights is something of an issue too. If a team has to travel 25 or 30 miles for a 6:00 PM game that means their probably not getting home untill 9:30 or 10PM. And they actually do have homework! And if I was a coach I would prefer a “balanced” schedule where you play some easier teams, some moderately good teams , and some really tough teams. I think that getting in some Sunday games is a good thing and travel times are less of an issue.
And possibly there would more interaction among schools if schools could do more “friendly scrimmages” where two schools that don’t usually play each other but are in pretty close proximity share a practice field for an hour and then have a 45 minute scrimmage where no official score is kept. I mean, the game IS suppose to be fun and a learning experience, isn’t it? Not just won/lost record.