Driving home from work today, I reflected on the history of women’s high school soccer in SC, at least from my personal perspective. If you have a different (or similar) recollection of what follows, I would enjoy reading it.
30-35 years ago, soccer was not a sport even identified by many public elementary and middle school children in SC. I know in my schools it was not a sport ever mentioned or taught in PE. We had kickball, and while it was fun, it certainly wasn’t soccer.
20-25 years ago, soccer was making inroads in SC high schools… for boys. I recall a friend carrying around a soccer ball and wearing “funny” shoes. We were intrigued by this international sport, but still chose to follow traditional American sports like football, basketball, baseball and tennis. Women’s soccer? If we had it, and we might have, the players would have been the female athletes who excelled at just about every sport; you know – volleyball in the fall, basketball in the winter, softball in the spring. And I am certain there was a very small fan base.
10 years ago, girls were definitely playing soccer in SC high schools. And I can actually recall the names of some of those girls. Yet, the players were not what we think of today as a dedicated soccer player, playing year round to perfect her game. Some geographic pockets in SC consistently produced better soccer than others and could be considered threats for state championships each year.
Why even post this historical perspective? To applaud those in SC who, over the past 30 years, have advanced women’s soccer across the state. This year, we have multiple “pockets” of talent producing an exciting set of candidates for state champion. We have community interest in our women’s soccer programs. We have standout players across the state, each capable of claiming a personal proponent on this very message board. Heck, we have a SC women’s soccer message board!
I am thankful my daughter has the opportunity to be a part of the soccer community. She has more choices in high school than I did for competitive sports. She can choose to be the player rather than the cheerleader; she can play an aggressive team sport rather than be limited to just the individual sports. No, I am not denigrating the other sports, simply highlighting what I have witnessed to be a positive influence on my daughter.
To those of you who coach, direct, administer or in any other way contribute to making SC high school soccer better, thanks. To those of you who have posted on this site this season, thanks. Like NOMENCLATURE, I found your insights informative, humorous and mostly helpful in feeling connected across the state to others with a similar passion.
I love women’s soccer. Best of luck to all SC high school teams and players competing for the coveted state championship this month. I hope all players emerge without injury and I hope all fans enjoy the thrill of the competition. I hope all referees make good calls!
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