The exciting news of the University of Denver’s new partnership with FC Bayern Munich, one of the truly premier powerhouse professional soccer teams in the world, represents an unbelievable opportunity for not only the DU soccer program, but for the entire DU community.
This agreement between a University and a major professional sports team is quite innovative on a number of levels:
LEVEL 1: DIRECT DU SOCCER BENEFITS: For the DU soccer program, the coaching collaborations, training and touring opportunities with Bayern are huge recruiting and competitive boost for DU Coach Jamie Franks and his staff in terms of knowledge transfer, player exposure and development. With DU competing against 200+ other NCAA D-I soccer schools for top talent, this kind of partnership could be a very real recruiting edge, as well as a boost to the coaches’ access to world class coaching techniques that result in better performance and better players choosing DU. Hosting Bayern’s teams for training opportunities here at altitude is another huge plus for the soccer program, especially for Bayern’s annual summer exhibition tours of the USA.
LEVEL 2: DIRECT UNIVERSITY BENEFITS: Partnerships between colleges and top pro sports organizations are still somewhat rare. Certainly, a school like DU can benefit from the educational, cultural and research opportunities that can come from access to one of the top soccer teams in Europe. DU’s research programs can gain more global access and enhanced credibility with Bayern. Linking our outstanding sports performance (medicine, psychology, strength and nutrition) programs to Bayern will help DU stay on the cutting edge as well as helping Bayern. The cultural benefits of sending DU students to Bayern’s offices in Munich, New York and Shanghai on study abroad, internships and exposing them to the potential of soccer careers is sensational. And educating Bayern’s organization through online coursework can offer incredible exposure for DU’s academic programs. The benefits of such collaborations across the University are multiple, accretive and salutary.
LEVEL 3: BRAND ASSOCIATION AND REPUTATION BENEFITS: As a private university, DU is in a daily battle for prestige around the world, and the University must rely on and enhance the power of its brand to drive its global destiny. By aligning itself with a prestigious, global sports brand such as Bayern, DU can not only tap into the halo of door-opening excellence that Bayern has built around the world, but DU will be given a competitive lift by truly leveraging its new association.
All in all, this is a great opportunity for the entire DU community. DU’s leadership should be commended for making this happen, and I urge everyone connected with DU to not only enjoy the immediate benefits of this collaboration, but to be proactive, innovative and thoughtful about growing its potential…
We all benefit from this kind of strategic thinking.
Now, let’s maximize the execution.
Go Pios!
Puck Swami is the Internet moniker of a long time DU sports fan and alumnus. He shares his views periodically here at LetsGoDU.
Why would DU make this announcement when the men’s soccer team is on the road and Coach Franks, staff and players aren’t around? They couldn’t wait a couple of days?
I would agree that having the DU soccer program at the announcement would have been ideal.
On the face of it, my guess is that the announcement timing had more to do with the limited availability of the Bayern management team in Denver…
This is a pretty sweet deal for DU soccer. If Franks is able to parlay this partnership with Bayern into something “tangible” that DU soccer players can really take advantage of, it could be a cool and effective recruiting too. It would be also awesome to see Bayern practice (or perhaps even play some kind of a training game) on the DU field if they are touring the US someday.
DU has had AC Milan, the US National team and the Mexican National team all train at DU in recent years in preparation for games in Denver. It would be great to host Bayern here someday, too.
This is very cool. With the international brand that is FC Bayern Munich, this should shine a whole new light on the program.
For those of you whole know more about NCAA soccer than me–is Jamie Franks one of the real underrated coaches in this sport? He sure seems to be. This men’s program is really exciting.
Why would DU make this announcement when the men’s soccer team is on the road and Coach Franks, staff and players aren’t around? They couldn’t wait a couple of days?
I would agree that having the DU soccer program at the announcement would have been ideal.
On the face of it, my guess is that the announcement timing had more to do with the limited availability of the Bayern management team in Denver…
This is a pretty sweet deal for DU soccer. If Franks is able to parlay this partnership with Bayern into something “tangible” that DU soccer players can really take advantage of, it could be a cool and effective recruiting too. It would be also awesome to see Bayern practice (or perhaps even play some kind of a training game) on the DU field if they are touring the US someday.
DU has had AC Milan, the US National team and the Mexican National team all train at DU in recent years in preparation for games in Denver. It would be great to host Bayern here someday, too.
I’m not sure if he is underrated anymore. That might have gone out the window when DU made the final four two years ago. After their lackluster season the following year, some probably thought that Franks was a bit overrated. Fast forward to this year, and the team’s sustained success will get Franks accolades again.
Overall, what he has done at Denver is remarkable. But the college soccer world is probably waiting to see whether Franks can sustain a top 10 program on a consistent basis. I think he can. The fact that he has a top-five team with what I’m guessing were not the top recruits in the country is a testament to his coaching ability. But if he wants to keep DU in the top 5, he’s going to have to win some recruiting battles with the very best schools for some top-50 players.
This is very cool. With the international brand that is FC Bayern Munich, this should shine a whole new light on the program.
For those of you whole know more about NCAA soccer than me–is Jamie Franks one of the real underrated coaches in this sport? He sure seems to be. This men’s program is really exciting.
Wow, impressive DU. I’ve heard Chancellor Chopp speak about DU becoming a global university on several occasions and she just delivered on that promise big time. FC Bayern is in a league of their own. Very exciting indeed and major kudos to Chancellor Chopp, Coach Franks and the entire administration for delivering this partnership.
I’m not sure if he is underrated anymore. That might have gone out the window when DU made the final four two years ago. After their lackluster season the following year, some probably thought that Franks was a bit overrated. Fast forward to this year, and the team’s sustained success will get Franks accolades again.
Overall, what he has done at Denver is remarkable. But the college soccer world is probably waiting to see whether Franks can sustain a top 10 program on a consistent basis. I think he can. The fact that he has a top-five team with what I’m guessing were not the top recruits in the country is a testament to his coaching ability. But if he wants to keep DU in the top 5, he’s going to have to win some recruiting battles with the very best schools for some top-50 players.
Wow, impressive DU. I’ve heard Chancellor Chopp speak about DU becoming a global university on several occasions and she just delivered on that promise big time. FC Bayern is in a league of their own. Very exciting indeed and major kudos to Chancellor Chopp, Coach Franks and the entire administration for delivering this partnership.
Yes, athletic knowledge does not seem to be Chanellor Chopp’s strong suit. I’m guessing that she does not know the difference between Bayern Munich and the Boston Red Sox. But if Franks told her what this was all about, and if she made it happen administratively, then much credit to her.
Blake: do you really believe Chopp went out and initiated this connection with Bayern Munich? What does she know about soccer.
Credit coach Jamie Franks and his staff.
Yes, athletic knowledge does not seem to be Chanellor Chopp’s strong suit. I’m guessing that she does not know the difference between Bayern Munich and the Boston Red Sox. But if Franks told her what this was all about, and if she made it happen administratively, then much credit to her.
Blake: do you really believe Chopp went out and initiated this connection with Bayern Munich? What does she know about soccer.
Credit coach Jamie Franks and his staff.
Very intriguing partnership. Admittedly I don’t know much about soccer but enjoy watching either the DU men or women when they are good. Does anyone with a better understanding of the game know if Shinyashiki is good enough to play “big time” ball overseas in Bundesliga etc?
From the one MLS scout I have talked to, Shinyashiki will be a first round MLS draft pick, which will give him an opportunity to be a successful professional player in the USA. MLS is probably in the top 10-12 national leagues in the world by most rankings – Very respectable for a 20-25 year old league in a country where soccer is the #4-6 professional team sport. Each team in MLS has NCAA players who are solid to exceptional, and I think Andre is certainly a player who may be able to make an impact at that level. He certainly has the skills and anticipation, although the scout’s big question was his overall speed. Andre is more deceptive and quick than straight-up fast.
On the other hand, the Bundesliga is a top 3 league in the world, challenging the Premier League (UK) and La Liga (Spain) for the very top talent in the world. Very few NCAA non-goalie college players have been impact players at that level. Eric Wynalda (San Diego State), Clint Dempsey (Furman), Brian McBride (U of St. Louis), Claudio Reyna (U of Virginia), and Steve Cherundolo (U of Portland) are the NCAA field players who come to mind as the NCAA guys who could make it at that level for a prolonged period, but it’s probably less than 10, which would make Andre a stretch prospect. Most impact players in the top 3 leagues get there by age 19-21.