DEREK SEDAM
Staff Writer
I caught the “soccer bug” during the USA’s run in the 2002 World Cup. Of course, before this I ran around in a mass formation that was AYSO, but I always felt since that dramatic 2002 run I have made an honest effort to follow and support soccer in any form.
The days spent discussing soccer with the multi-cultural Pepperdine men’s tennis team during European games is always a challenge. I constantly have to bring my A-game for 90 minutes just to sit and watch soccer with some of the former national champions.
Soccer is where I go to sound smart. Indie music and “football” are really the only things that I can claim the upper-edge on when trying out for MTV’s Parental Control.
I proudly display my Los Angeles Galaxy scarf above my living room in Lovernich. I still await the day someone asks about it, though.
My soccer fandom took a huge blow two days ago when I discovered my new favorite blog, Stuff White People Like.
As I switched from nodding to out-loud-laughter confirming my fondness of American Apparel, 80’s Night and assists (of the basketball variety), I came upon my beloved soccer.
This Web site made me feel that soccer was unimportant and just riding a nation-wide fad that holds its life on David Beckham’s knee and ankle problems.
Friends whose favorite soccer team is where they studied abroad? Check.
Multiple team scarves or jerseys around the house? Check.
For those of us here in Malibu who love the sport we call football sometimes to sound intelligent, we need a quick alternative. We need men’s soccer on our campus.
Our university is the only one to not field a team in the West Coast Conference. This means Loyola Marymount is somehow beating us in something, and in no way should this be allowed.
With the addition of the women’s track team, Pepperdine now stands at an even eight teams apiece between men and women, with six of those sports having scholarships to give out.
Title IX makes things difficult in bringing the excitement of this sport to Malibu. The whole “women empowerment” thing we went through in the 70’s makes colleges give out the same amount of scholarships.
Why not finally give the cross country team its due and reward it for their hours of practice and competition? You couldn’t get me to run a 5K even if you promised me a winning season for our men’s basketball team. Problem for balance solved.
New facilities are being built in the next few years, including a brand new soccer field and a larger weight center to house more athletes. I’m sure we could squeeze in 11 to 20 dudes onto that new pitch and in the gym without the lady Waves soccer team minding.
Our students show great support for a women’s soccer team, and I feel it would be no different with a men’s team. We could establish a great soccer culture here at our school, and not just be one of those statistics that “like” soccer.
Just up the 101 freeway, the University of California-Santa Barbara students literally broke down both goals after their NCAA championship victory against UCLA, carried them down Del Playa Avenue and tossed them into the Pacific Ocean.
Even though Public Safety would stop any attempt of this hooliganism, the idea of something to celebrate for remains.
The beauty of soccer is that one decisive play for one second can take your breath away. Soccer amazes us because it gives us a chance to go crazy in the stands and build a bond with those special 11.
Our school is ready for this to happen. The new facilities almost beg for another team.
Let’s add another program that can make us proud and capture the beauty of soccer. Then maybe I’ll gain some “football” credibility back.
03-20-2008
