With the Johnson C Smith College (JCSU) soccer program turning a successful nook in 2023, the Golden Bulls wish to add their title to the elite Division II soccer packages within the Charlotte Metro Space. And whereas JCSU continues to be constructing itself right into a constant winner, a Division II NCAA rule change allowed the Golden Bulls to schedule a joint observe/scrimmage session with a Charlotte Metro college that’s grow to be a fixture within the DII playoffs, the Wingate Bulldogs.
In January of 2023, the NCAA Division II delegates permitted a measure permitting groups to scrimmage in opposition to different four-year universities through the spring ball interval. The scrimmage has to happen on or after the tenth day of the spring observe interval and it specifies {that a} student-athlete’s participation in such a scrimmage doesn’t set off using a season of competitors.
“This proposal supplies alternatives for an enhanced collegiate expertise in Division II soccer, the place student-athletes can now take part in opposition to one other group within the spring that they usually wouldn’t get to,” stated Andy Peterson, director of athletics at Northwest Missouri State.
For JCSU, it permits them to get some stay ball, full-contact motion in opposition to one other group through the spring, a time by which they might often simply be competing in opposition to themselves, not in opposition to one of many high DII groups within the Charlotte Metro Space.
“When you’ve got a possibility to go in opposition to a group that’s a championship-caliber group that has received SAC championships and went to the playoffs… When you’ve got an opportunity to go toe to toe with them man… whew, I’m perplexed for what that may do for our program,” stated Johnson C Smith head coach Maurice Flowers.
“It’s only a nice alternative to go in opposition to a high quality program, and a championship program, and a program that actually, is the place we’re attempting to be.”
JCSU VS WINGATE SPRING SCRIMMAGE PHOTO GALLERY
Positioned half-hour exterior of Charlotte, NC, the Wingate College soccer program has been to the Division II playoffs in 4 of the final 5 seasons. Ending 8-3 in 2023, as winners of seven of its ultimate eight video games and shedding three video games by 14 complete factors.
The joint observe/scrimmage between Johnson C Smith College and Wingate started like every common season sport with each groups going by their normal pregame warmups. However as soon as the complete contact classes started, the power in Irwin Belk Stadium went to a different stage.
“They’re a really, excellent program, and, you understand, our younger males had been very excited to see somebody aside from themselves, and with what we’re attempting to construct right here at JCSU is a program that is aware of deal with themselves the fitting means on and off the sector, within the classroom, and likewise in an occasion like this, I imply, as a result of feelings had been working excessive, and, I imply you might simply really feel it within the air, it was a distinct kind of vibe on the market.” Mentioned Coach Flowers of the joint observe with Wingate.
‘We wanna present that we belong, that we’re a great soccer group, and the one means we will do that’s to go toe to toe with good soccer groups and that’s what Wingate is.”
HBCU Gameday has been following the JCSU soccer program for a docuseries titled “Brick x Brick | Altering the Tradition at Johnson C Smith.” Giving HBCU soccer followers a “hard-knocks type” have a look at what altering the tradition of a soccer program seems to be like.
From grueling 5 am practices to game-day triumphs, Brick x Brick showcases the laborious work, dedication, and spirit that aimed to vary the tradition of a program with a difficult previous.
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