It varies from day to day, but if you walk around campus and pay attention, you might find some commonalities.
From the art building to the University Center, students’ eyes are glued to their phones, tablets, and laptops, excited to watch one thing: football.
And yes, it’s real football.
There is no doubt that football, or soccer, is the most watched sport in the world. Approximately 1.5 billion people gathered to watch the thrilling battle between France and Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.
Walking around campus in the lead up to the finals, it was clear that the World Cup was being held. You could feel it around UTA as people flocked to watch the group stages and finals on every device possible.
In those fleeting moments, I could always see how diverse and connected my students were. Soccer became a way for students to break through the walls whenever they were rushing to class. If you have time, you can also stop for a moment and watch the beautiful game being played by the world around you.
But those moments are fleeting, providing only a glimpse of what the football culture is like on campus.
As talk of the return of American football resonates throughout the university, he becomes curious about the parallel world in which UTA has a soccer club.
I can’t help but think UTA has the perfect recipe for developing and creating an exciting football program. If you’ve ever played soccer in North Texas, it’s obvious how talented the players in this area are.
However, the harsh reality is that many talented players miss out on the chance to play at the next level or in college. With a ripe selection of players waiting for their opportunity, UTA has the opportunity to invest in and respond to the student body by giving ambitious players from around the region the opportunity to keep their dreams alive.
Allowing students to cheer on their peers and watch their school represent their school in sports that truly reflect the campus can help students feel more accepted and welcome. Excitement for the sport is only growing as his nine games for the 2026 World Cup will be held just a few miles from campus.
The great thing about soccer is that it’s a sport that many people can play. Its historic beginnings are grassroots clubs formed by local communities, factory workers, and public schools. This sport has always been driven by a sense of community.
UTA doesn’t need to go all-in and invest in a D1 program right away if cost is a concern.
Universities can make better investments in club teams.
Showing financial support for club soccer teams helps foster the grassroots feeling and community support that only soccer can bring.
UTA students not only enjoy a fleeting moment of togetherness;
It would be great to see how the soccer culture can grow at UTA with more time and investment. Allowing teams to use Maverick Stadium would be the first step, allowing for better viewing for supporters and a decent pitch for players.
At the heart of football is community. Your heart badge represents more than you. What makes it all come alive is the student body, the city, and the neighborhood.
The small beginnings UTA ​​can start right now can help you turn fleeting moments into lasting moments simply by keeping your eyes glued to the beautiful game.
@ronaldobolanos_
sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
