U.S. Soccer announced on Tuesday the formation of the NextGen College Soccer Committee, a high-profile group comprising leaders from higher education, professional sports, philanthropy, and business. This committee’s primary objective is to strategically integrate college soccer more deeply into the broader U.S. Soccer ecosystem, while ensuring its continued strength as a platform for student-athlete education, player development, and community engagement.
The committee will address both the men’s and women’s college games, acknowledging that tailored solutions may be necessary for each. Its mandate includes providing input on commercial strategies, enhancing student-athlete welfare, and fostering greater collaboration with the NCAA and other relevant governing bodies.
The NextGen College Soccer Committee has set two key outcomes:
- White Paper Publication: By the start of the 2025-26 academic year, the committee will publish a white paper outlining recommendations to ensure men’s and women’s college soccer thrives within the rapidly evolving soccer landscape.
- Implementation Engagement: Beginning in the 2026–27 academic year, the committee will engage conferences and college programs interested in exploring and implementing these innovative solutions and opportunities.
“College soccer is integral to the fabric and future of our sport in this country,” stated U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson. “The individuals joining this group bring unique perspectives and expertise that will help us build a model where college soccer can thrive in a modern, connected system – all working collaboratively in service to soccer.”
To ensure a comprehensive and informed proposal, the committee will engage various key stakeholders through insight groups, including college coaches, administrators, current and former college players, U.S. Soccer members, and governing bodies such as the NCAA and USOPC. Additionally, U.S. Soccer will collaborate with pre-professional youth members (ECNL/US Club, Girls Academy, MLS Next, USL Academy, US Youth Soccer) to consider the full development pathway to college soccer.
Dan Helfrich, a member of U.S. Soccer’s leadership advisory group and former chair and CEO of Deloitte Consulting LLP, will chair the NextGen College Soccer Committee.
The committee’s diverse membership includes former college players, parents of student-athletes, athletic directors, university presidents, and long-time advocates for the game, ensuring a broad range of perspectives. Members are connected to more than seven NCAA Division I conferences, highlighting the inclusive nature of the group.
Key Members of the NextGen College Soccer Committee:
- Dan Helfrich (Chair), U.S. Soccer Leadership Advisory Group; Principal, Deloitte Consulting
- Adrian Hanauer, Owner, Seattle Sounders FC; Governor, Seattle Reign FC
- Ali Curtis, Hermann Trophy Winner; SVP, Major League Soccer
- Amber Steele, VP, Global Sports Partnerships, Coca-Cola; Atlanta Sports Council, Board Member
- Angie Long, Co-Owner, Kansas City Current; Former College Athlete
- Chris Clunie, VP & Director of Athletics, Davidson College
- Chris Klein, Partner, Hometown Soccer Holdings; Former LA Galaxy President
- Craig Barry, EVP & Chief Content Officer, Warner Bros. Discovery Sport
- Darryll Pines, President, University of Maryland
- David Tyrie, President of Marketing, Digital, and Specialized Consumer Client Solutions, Bank of America
- Jeremy Alumbaugh, President, USL Championship
- John Wildhack, Athletic Director, Syracuse University; Committee Member, NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball
- Mark Abbott, Former President & Deputy Commissioner, Major League Soccer
- Mike Cullina, Chair, U.S. Soccer Technical Development Committee
- Patrick Kraft, Athletic Director, Penn State University
- Richard Motzkin, EVP & Managing Executive of Global Soccer, Wasserman
- Ryan Nelsen, High-performance specialist, FIFA; Former College Player
- Sarah Jones Simmer, Chief Operating Officer, National Women’s Soccer League
U.S. Soccer, in partnership with the committee, aims to draft the initial white paper by the end of the summer, incorporating stakeholder feedback. They will also begin outreach to college programs and conferences to gauge interest in participating in the proposed new models.
