Soccer is big but there are other sports too.
Kyle McDonald | Sports Editor | @kylesportsbias
For many universities around the country, having a home field advantage is a key component to having success. For the Utah Valley University men’s soccer team, it is no different. The soccer team ranked 14th in the nation for total attendance in their first year and their student fan base came to be known as the 12th Wolverine (because of 11 players playing at a time). The 12th Wolverine is part of the MAWL (Mighty Athletic Wolverine League), which is made up of UVU students trying to represent their school and cheer on their athletic teams. UVU Men’s Soccer head coach Greg Maas loves what the 12th Wolverine has done for his team and the support they give.
“We feel fortunate to have such a great home environment,” Maas said. “Our 12th Wolverines are tremendous from our student body to our administration to the local community. These people really come out in droves…and it really gives us a competitive edge.”
There was a lot of time and effort that went into creating the 12th Wolverine in 2014 and it was due in large part to the Athletics and Campus Marketing teams.
“UVU is the first college or university in the state to have a Division I men’s varsity soccer program, and the inaugural season was the fall 2014 season last year,” Student Activities Coordinator Marie Squyres said. “Both the Athletics Marketing and Campus Marketing departments worked together to highly publicize the premiere season.”
Another reason for the large crowds and fan base for the men’s soccer team has to do with the trend that is happening. With the popularity of Major League Soccer, European Soccer Leagues and World Cup competitions, the sport continues to make its mark in the world.
“Soccer is trendy right now,” UVU PRSSA President Micah Jensen said. “When you have any team step up into division I especially one that is popular right now, more people will be inclined to go.”
While the crowds continue to grow for the men’s soccer team, there is a hope by some especially UVU men’s basketball head coach Mark Pope.
“We’re going to kill it,” Pope said. “There is going to be a time not too far off where you are going to be wearing your UVU swag because our team is on a national level.”
With the start of a new year comes the optimism for great success and the MAWL, the Green Man Group, and the 12th Wolverines will do their best to make sure that they are there supporting their teams to the fighting end.
