Why Play the ITA Cup?

Over the past few days and maybe even couple of weeks, the ITA Cup has dominated the conversation in the group Blog chat. It has taken precedence over topics such as fantasy football, politics, and whether or not we can get D3NE to test the dating waters again for the first time in the past ten years. He has gotten too used to the secluded blogging life that he lashes out at us when we post an article or two a little bit late. With all the chat about the ITA Cup, I have come away from all of it not really caring about it at all. *collective gasp* That’s right folks, I don’t care about the ITA Cup and looking back on it, never really have. So, with me being me, I asked myself this question. “What the flying f*** is the point of the ITA Cup? What are the pros and cons of playing this tournament?” I’ll list some out below and would be happy to debate all y’all suckers in the comments. 

Pro: Teams and Individuals seem to like the recognition that comes with it

Take the below tweet from Kenyon Coach Scott Thielke for example. Clearly, there is a certain amount of recognition that comes with competing in the ITA Cup.

https://twitter.com/KenyonMTEN/status/1184479801136037888

I agree with Coach Thielke here and with the general sentiment. It’s GOOD to make the people feel GOOD! I am all for college players and teams getting recognition for their extremely hard work. It makes sense. While the actual event of the ITA Cup (where is it even held these days, Georgia still?) leaves a little bit to be desired (no one really cares about it), there is still something to getting to participate. 

Counter Point: Increasing the draw now decreases recognition

Recognition is being part of an elite group, is it not? The way the regions are set up makes this thing a little bit less prestigious, in my eyes. Great, you got to the finals of the Northeast ITA. Now, you deserve to be ranked in the top 16 in the country? Seems a bit unreasonable. There are stronger regions in the country and weaker ones. That is a fact. You can argue until you are blue in the face that there aren’t (I’m looking at some Twitter folk here), but that’s kind of how it goes. To me, and this could just be my opinion, letting more people into an exclusive club certainly cheapens the recognition.

Counter Counter Point: The old system shafted the PNW and Texas teams.

https://twitter.com/d3AtlanticSouth/status/1184256739656511489

This tweet thread kind of sums up the general arguments for expanding the draw. In the past, you all should be familiar with the “play-in” match between the PNW and Texas winner. After that play-in match, the winner would be entered into the main draw. It’s tough having 9 different ITAs, isn’t it? I agree that this was a problem. It was not worth it for teams like Whitman, GFU, Texas, etc, to make a trip down to Georgia to play what could amount to 1 measly match. Keep All-American status aside, it’s just a waste of time. The solution was to expand the draw to 16 players. 

CON: Programs are using valuable resources for something that is essentially meaningless come Spring.

The only time I’ve ever used Fall results and the ITA Cup in my analysis of the sport has been as just a general anecdote that proves, well, nothing. We’ve seen the best players in the Fall actually turn out to NOT be the best players in Spring because:

1. There is an inherent pressure that comes with being in Spring Season that makes people play better/worse. The matches actually.. Matter.
2. There are like 4-5 players that are usually studying abroad or hurt or whatever during the Fall and taking it easy. 
3. There are teams that drop out of the ITA Cup because they just simply don’t want to go. 

All in all, why are we wasting time and money on this tournament?! So 1 dude can get the chance to play a NAIA player and maybe win? C’mon folks. Let’s stop wasting our assets. 

ASouth’s Solution: Not Have the ITA Cup

Before you crush me with your opinions, please note that this is my personal opinion. I am open to hearing everyone’s thoughts. It just kills me inside to think that there are potentially 16 teams that are traveling, using money, and other things to travel their best player to a Fall tournament that is essentially meaningless. All these players will have the opportunity to prove their worth in the Spring. I don’t mind giving finalists for each ITA “All-American” status, if you want to. Love dishing out that label to those that worked to make the finals of their prestigious tournament. I just don’t have any good reason for having everyone travel to the ITA Cup. Why do it? Does it improve morale? What are the benefits? If it is about recognition, All-American status will have its own recognition. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to have (and was oh so close!). 

ASouth’s Challenge: 

Convince me that the ITA Cup is worth having after ITAs. I will see you in the comments.

ASouth, OUT.