The Salt Lake Community College men’s and women’s soccer clubs are currently preparing for their respective seasons, which begin this fall semester. But how well known are these soccer teams across SLCC?
In an informal poll taken, 25 SLCC students were asked if they knew that SLCC even had soccer clubs that students could try out for and play in. Out of the 25 students polled, only 11 said that they knew about the soccer clubs, while the other 14 said they did not know.
“Yeah I have known that SLCC has soccer clubs, I have just never really thought about going and trying out for the club. I guess I should look more into it,” said Michael Meek, who plays in recreational county soccer leagues.
Soccer is known around the world as “futbol,” but since America already has a sport called football, soccer was the name chosen to go by. It is a sport that is gaining popularity each year here in the United States. However, with baseball being “America’s pastime” and football ruling Saturday and Sunday fall television, soccer can be easily overlooked.
“I do not think soccer is overlooked at SLCC. Both student leadership and athletics have been supportive of our programs in terms of money and logistics necessary to run a solid program,” said men’s head soccer coach Enrique Velasquez.
SLCC soccer clubs are for anyone with a desire to play soccer. The soccer clubs unfortunately are not varsity teams, meaning that they can’t charge admission to games, they receive less funding, and are not able to give any type of scholarship to a player. But coach Gabriel Bran, the head coach of the women’s soccer team, hopes that one day soccer will be a varsity sport at SLCC.
“Support our cause. Encourage the administration to make the men’s and women’s soccer teams a varsity sport. We have something wonderful to offer to the school, the state, and the sport itself,” Bran said.
The soccer clubs hold tryouts over the summer for anyone who wants to come play in the club. The tryout dates for both clubs have already passed but anyone can still contact either coach to show them what they have to offer.
The games are free to watch. Home games are played at the Taylorsville Redwood Campus on the soccer field which is located on the west side of campus behind the Lifetime Activities Center. Both soccer clubs begin and finish their season during the fall semester of school.
SLCC soccer clubs also hold fundraisers which will be coming up in fall semester. One example of a fundraiser that the clubs hold is the men’s soccer club will be selling Real Salt Lake soccer tickets as well as scarves. Each item will sell for $20. The money that is raised by each club from their own fundraising goes towards each club’s account, which is then used to help cover costs such as traveling.
More information about the SLCC soccer clubs is available at www.slcc.edu under Student Life and Leadership.
