2nd Story

Low attendance for WSU Women’s Soccer Camp

Pullman, WA- The Washington State University women’s soccer camp has been a successful revenue generator in years past, but this year may not bring the same success. With no direct explanation for this turn, the cougar coaching staff waits with high hopes for more campers to enroll.

With the July 12^th camp date quickly approaching, camp director, Cory McCoy has been working endlessly to enroll more campers. Last year at this time there were approximately 100 kids signed up, he said. Currently, there are only 10 confirmed campers. Of the 10, there are only four over-night campers and six day-campers. In an effort to add to this list, McCoy has sent out brochures to approximately 1,000 high schools, with hopes that high school coaches will pass the word on to their players.

The camp coaching staff hoped for greater numbers due to the WSU women’s soccer team’s successful season. However, it seems the target market does not want to pay the $400 price of attending the camp, McCoy said. The price includes the training sessions, housing, meals, camp shirt, and a soccer ball. The price is expensive yet necessary because it helps cover what they spend on purchasing equipment as well as contribute to profits, he said.

McCoy is unsure if they will make profits if the situation does not improve. After uniform and food costs are covered, they are able to make profits with the leftover money from each camper’s payment, he explained. However, if numbers continue to stay low, very few profits can be made. If an ideal number of campers do not sign up, they may have to narrow down the coaching staff, which would be a big upset to many of the player-coaches who rely on the salary, he said.

WSU women’s soccer team member, Emma Stolz, said it would be disappointing if she were unable to coach this year. Stolz, as well as many of her teammates, rely on the camp as a source of income as they are usually too busy with their schedules to hold a typical summer job.

This year six members of the women’s soccer team have committed to coaching the camp. McCoy explained that the player-coaches are responsible for assisting a head coach as well as staying in the dorms with the over-night campers.

When asked her thoughts about the possibility about not coaching the camp, Stolz explained that while she would like to make money coaching, she would miss interacting with the fans, since many of the kids look up to the players us as role models.

In the past, kids have attended from all over the state. Stolz said this has played a major factor in adding to the team's fan base.

“A lot of the people that attend the camp, come to the games to support the team and it’s nice to see them after the games and having them know you on a first name basis,” said Stolz. “Being able to work for one week doing what you love while also making money is a great opportunity that I would miss,” she said.