KANSAS CITY, Mo. – United Soccer Coaches Monday sent an urgent request to NCAA executive director Dr. Mark Emmert to change the NCAA Division III men and women’s championship format to add a rest day between the semifinals and finals.

The association offered to pay the $20,000 estimated expense to make the change for this year.

In a letter, United Soccer Coaches CEO Lynn Berling-Manuel spotlighted the health and safety of the athletes as well as the compromised championship experience. The change would add an additional day to the championship set to take place on consecutive days December 3-4. It is the only NCAA soccer championship that is decided by games on back-to-back days.

“Our job as a coaches association is to advocate for our members,” Berling-Manuel said. “The safety of their players is one of those critical issues. This is a small step for the NCAA that would make a big impact on the D-III soccer championship experience for players and coaches.”

The turnaround for D-III championship games can be less than 18 hours, going against NCAA sport science recommendations for minimum rest and recovery.

YOUR TURN: United Coaches CEO Berling-Manuel’s letter to the NCAA

 

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.