The UTSA’s men’s club soccer team formed back in 1988, simply due to there not being an NCAA men’s team to play on. Since then, it has been established as a self-run club, created by the players where they found the means and passion to play. Despite its Division I status, UTSA does not have an official men’s soccer team. Just like other club teams, UTSA provides minimal funding to the team. Transportation and equipment are usually supplied and paid for by participants and volunteers.
Being outside of the athletics program at UTSA, the club faces many obstacles. For all sports, to play efficiently and consistently, funding is key. The team receives little funding from the school each year.
“We get some funding from the school, that keeps getting reduced every year,” team leadership member Colin Harper said.
As a result, many of the players pay out of pocket to afford the necessary means for the club with transportation and fees at the beginning of the season, including a try-out fee. Without much help from the school itself, it becomes harder for the players to obtain funding, increasing the fear in the players of disbanding the club.
Despite this, they prevail. The team is currently led by volunteer head coach Mason Rankin, president of the club Marc Garcia and vice president Luca Barrio.
The team hosts tryouts at the start of every semester, typically after the first or second week of school. Around 30 players are selected for the club, decided by the head coach and returning members, but only 22 make it onto the playing roster. The people playing can vary as players can work their way into the starting lineup. The club is put into various leagues each semester, where their schedule is decided by that specific league. Members of the leadership team will reach out to other universities club teams to schedule matches.
Along with the scarcity of funding comes the shortage of awareness of the club team. Many students are unaware of the team and as a result, more damage is done to the team when it comes to its continuation. Without more men each year coming out to the tryouts, they lose numbers and struggle to keep the club going.
This has not kept the men from playing, though. The team meets every Monday and Wednesday to practice at the campus rec fields. Here they run drills, decide on players’ positions, and most of all, bond over their shared appreciation for the beautiful game that is soccer.
Supporters can check their Instagram to keep up with the action and see when they play next.
