Foreign players taking spots on Maine teams

Maybe as the soccer season is now over, I can get this straight. Maybe if I write about the reverberations and concerns I am hearing, someone can explain them. These are rumblings about Division III soccer programs at colleges in our state.

Why is it our rosters are full of foreign players, when a few years back “foreign” meant out-of-state players? Maybe Maine (or other states) has lost its edge for competing at this level. What happened to the hope of a solid high school player being part of his college team. Maybe this hope has been dashed.

It is my understanding recruiting is active, but scholarships cannot be part of the bargain in this division. Maybe the international scholarships I am hearing about are to help with the diversity of these colleges. It must be a coincidence that two colleges, that have as many as 11 from foreign countries, just happen to get great athletes.

Maybe those reports in the paper that state fewer Maine students can afford to go to college will change, for surely they too, will be once again offered money to attend college and play sports. Maybe the idea of having a coach come look at a high school player will hold more credence if the student thinks he can actually be on the roster and not just on the bench. Maybe this is just a way to eliminate to which school you apply.

Now about the complaints that the dean of admissions at one small college is also the soccer coach of that school. Maybe that is a case of trying to cut down on the number to be employed. What else could it be?

Some say the conferences seem to be in major upheaval. MAC, no MAC, Sunrise Conference, no let’s go to the NAC. What is best? Maybe we just need another conference for those schools who are heavy into the foreign students. It could be the League of Nations Conference.

Maybe these small colleges just plan to adopt the policy of Major League Soccer. The MLS policy states that only a small number on their list of players can be from a foreign country. Discrimination you say? Maybe the Americans at the small college could start that cry.

Why do we not have our diversity come from more female students? Their teams do not seem to be weighted with foreign students. Do we know of any? Maybe most schools want the well-rounded scholar and athlete, and those just seem to be the males.

Is everything that has been talked about this season fair and above board? Maybe everything is legal according to NCAA and NAIA rules, so surely investigations are not necessary. Maybe those expressions of discontent are just sour grapes by many. So forget about my need to understand. Just maybe I do, or maybe, just maybe this facetious writing seems all to real to many!

Matthew C. Murray

Ellsworth

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