Tag: Foreign Players

Where Do PAC-12 Volleyball Players Reside?

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Are you a junior volleyball player thinking about playing on your favorite PAC-12 volleyball team?

If so, you have to be good – really good!

The following stats from the 2014-2015 season may help you understand your chances of playing in one of the country’s elite volleyball conference:
• There were 120 players who played more than half the sets. In other words, the coaches generally had rotations of 9 or 10 players and occasionally 11 or 12 players.
• The PAC-12 is a regional conference. Almost 3-in-4 of the players were from the 6 states where PAC-12 universities were located.
• About 43% of the players on all teams were from California. Each of the teams had at least 2 Californians. It seems there is a mandate that coaches and recruiters  live and breathe the words of the infamous Beach Boys tune, “I Wish they All Could be California Girls.”
• The more successful teams had a higher percentage of out-of-state players. As well, they had a greater percentage of California players. In other words, the top teams more effectively attracted the top players from in-state and other states.
• Unlike some other sports, only about 8% of total players are from foreign countries. It is ironic that American players have to play professional ball overseas; however, overseas athletes don’t dominate U.S. college volleyball.

Specifically, the PAC-12 players reside in the following states:
• 52 players were from California.
• 9 Players were from Arizona.
• 8 Players were from Oregon.
• 7 Players were from Utah.
• 7 players were from Texas.
• 6 players were from Colorado (3 of the players were sisters who played on the same team).
• 5 players were from Washington.
• 4 players were from Hawaii.
• 12 players were from 9 other states.

PAC-12 Volleyball is clearly the conference of choice – both for players and coaches. Unfortunately, only a handful players make the cut. Hopefully, you are one of them!

PAC-12 Volleyball Karsta Lowe
Karsta Lowe attacks against the CU Buffs in PAC-12 volleyball play.

Residence of Elite Eight Basketball Players

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This brief analysis evaluated rosters of men’s and women’s Elite Eight NCAA basketball teams to determine what states or countries their players reside in. It looked at information published on their athletic websites in March 2014. Players were included in the sample if their average playing time per game for the season was greater than 15 minutes. As well, this study looked at the population of the states where the universities are located to see if there might be a relationship between the size of the population and the number of in-state players.

The following tables list the schools, number of in-state players, out-of-state players, their finish in the Elite Eight, total state population, and rank of the state in terms of population.

The results for the men are in the table below.

Residence of Men Players in Elite Eight 2014
Residence of Men Players in Elite Eight 2014

The results for the women are in the table below.

Residence of Women Players in Elite Eight 2014
Residence of Women Players in Elite Eight 2014

Listed below are similarities and differences between the men’s and women’s programs.

Similarities

  • The men and women players come from a similar number of states, 20 for the men and 19 for the women.
  • None of the top players for the mens’ and womens’ championship teams were from in-state.
  • Teams from larger states tend to have more in-state players.
  • A majority of the players on most teams are from out-of-state.
  • The reliance on foreign players is minimal; it is slightly higher for the men than the women.
  • The foreign country with the highest number of players in Canada.
  • The programs with a higher percentage of in-state players are less “successful” (this is not necessarily a cause and effect relationship).
  • The schools from states with smaller populations typically have fewer in-state players and are less “successful”.

Differences

  • The percentage of out-of-state U.S. players is greater for women than men, 75.0% vs. 60.4%.
  • The percentage of in-state players is greater for the men than women, 30.2% vs. 23.2%.
  • The states with the highest number of players for the men are Michigan and Ohio. For the women, the top states are Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania.

For more details see Residence of Top Players 2014 NCAA Elite Eight Basketball Teams. This report identifies the home state or country of the top PAC 12 basketball players and compares differences between the men and women teams.

Which States do PAC 12 Women’s Basketball Players Reside in?

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This brief analysis evaluated rosters of women’s PAC-12 basketball teams to determine the residence of their players (in-state, out-of-state, or foreign country). It looked at information published on their athletic websites in March 2014. Players were included in the sample if their average playing time per game for the season was greater than 15 minutes.

The states with the leading number of players were California (39), Washington (11), Texas (7), and Arizona (5). About 70% of the players indicated their residence was in these 4 states. Six players claimed Canada as their residence.

Of the 88 players listed in the sample, 32 players, or 36.4%, were in-state players. Cal, USC, UCLA, and Washington had more than half its players from in-state. Two schools didn’t have any in-state players, Arizona and Oregon.

Residence of PAC-12 Women's Basketball Players
Residence of PAC-12 Women’s Basketball Players

There were 49 out-of-state players from the U.S., 55.7%, and 7 foreign players, 8.0%. Overall, 63.7% of the players were out-of-state.

Individually, the top 6 teams in the conference had winning records. Collectively, they won 69% of their games. As a group, the residence of their players follows:

  • 54% in-state.
  • 41% out-of-state U.S.
  • 5% out-of-state foreign.

The bottom 6 teams had losing records. As a group they won 31% of their games. Collectively, the residence of their players follows:

  • 18% in-state.
  • 71% out-of-state U.S.
  • 11% out-of-state foreign.

For more details see the report Residence of Top Players 2013-2014 PAC 12 Basketball Teams. This report identifies the home state or country of the top PAC 12 basketball players and compares differences between the men and women teams.

 

Are PAC 12 Mens’ Basketball Programs Bringing in Hired Guns to Win?

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In Division 1 men’s basketball, a premium is placed on winning because it is a revenue generating sport. A key to success is recruiting players who have “A” talent.

Are the universities in the PAC-12 bringing in “hired guns” to make their basketball programs successful? If so are they bringing in players from out-of-state or from other countries? Do PAC-12 players come from all over the U.S. or are they primarily from the Western United States? Are teams more successful if they have a higher percentage of in-state players?

This brief analysis evaluated rosters of men’s PAC-12 basketball teams published on their athletic websites in March 2014. Players were included in the sample if their average playing time per game for the season was greater than 15 minutes.

The states with the leading number of players were California (30), Texas (5), Arizona (4), Oregon (4), and Washington (4). About 55% of the players indicated their residence was in these 5 states.

Of the 86 players listed in the sample, 20 players, or 23.3%, were in-state players. Only Cal had more than half its players from in-state. Two schools didn’t have any in-state players, OSU and Washington.

There were 53 out-of-state players from the U.S., 61.6%, and 13 foreign players, 15.1%. Overall, 76.7% of the players were out-of-state. Six of the foreign players come from Canada, more than any state except California.

Are men's PAC-12 basketball programs bringing in hired guns to win?
Residence of players in men’s PAC-12 basketball programs.

Five schools didn’t have any foreign players (Arizona, Cal, Washington, UCLA, and Colorado).

Individually, the top 7 teams in the conference had winning records. Collectively, they won 61% of their games. As a group the residence of their players follows:

  • 31% in-state.
  • 55% out-of-state U.S.
  • 14% out-of-state foreign.

The bottom 5 teams had losing records. As a group they won 35% of their games. Collectively, the residence of their players follows:

  • 14% in-state.
  • 70% out-of-state U.S.
  • 16% out-of-state foreign.

Clearly, most men’s programs (at least in the PAC 12) look outside their state to find players to construct winning teams. This limited sample size shows that recruitment of out-of-state players may not guarantee a winning season. In addition it may be a questionable tactic for programs that need to build their fan base or generate alumni support.

For more details see the report Residence of Top Players 2013-2014 PAC 12 Basketball Teams. This report identifies the home state or country of the top PAC 12 basketball players and compares differences between the men and women teams.

 

Are Women’s College Coaches Looking for Mercenaries to Fill Their Tennis Rosters?

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Right or wrong, PAC 12 women’s tennis coaches are looking outside their state to fill their tennis rosters.

The short report “Gender of Coaches and Residence of Players – PAC 12 Tennis 2013” looked at the rosters of PAC schools during the month of April 2013 and found that 32.7% of the players were in-state. Of the 101 players, 26.7% were out-of-state and the remaining 40.6% were foreign players.

A majority of the USC and Stanford players were in-state (8 of 11 and 7 of 8). Four schools did not have any in-state players, including both Washington schools, Arizona, and Oregon. ASU only had 1 in-state player.

Stanford had no foreign players and USC only had one player from out of the country.  More than half the players on the Arizona, Oregon, California, Washington, and WSU teams were from foreign countries.

For a similar analysis on men’s tennis go to the post “Are There Too Many Hired Guns in Men’s College Tennis?“

Are There Too Many Hired Guns in Men’s College Tennis?

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The short report “” evaluates whether PAC 12 schools are bringing in “hired guns” to make their men’s tennis programs successful. The analysis evaluated rosters published on athletic websites in April 2013.

Only 8 schools in the PAC 12 had men’s programs (ASU, CU, OSU, and WSU did not have men’s programs).  Of the 88 players listed on the rosters, 32 players, or 36.4%, were in-state and 17 players, or 19.3%, were out-of-state.  In other words, 55.7% of the players were Americans and 44.3% were from other countries.

All schools had at least 1 in-state player. Only UCLA and California players had 50% or more in-state players.   Stanford and Washington had the least number of foreign players (3 of 13 and 3 of 11). At least half of the USC, Oregon, Arizona, and Utah players were from other countries.

Clearly, most men’s programs (at least in the PAC 12) look outside their state to find players to build their program. The effectiveness of this tactic might be debatable in situations where programs need to build local fan or alumni support.

For a similar analysis on women’s tennis go to the post “Are Women’s Tennis Coaches Looking for Mercenaries to Fill Their Rosters?”

 

Are Foreign Players Taking Over PAC-12 Volleyball?

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Concerns have been raised about the number of foreign athletes in select collegiate sports, such as skiing and tennis. With the increase in popularity of volleyball there is the possibility that some coaches will try to build a national contender by recruiting top national players from other countries.

A quick review of the online rosters for the 2012 PAC 12 teams was conducted to see if this was an issue in that conference. This analysis produced the following results:
• About 10% of all players, or 18 of 185, listed hometowns in other countries.
• The 18 foreign players represented 11 countries.
• 10 of the 12 teams had foreign players.
• The breakdown by number of foreign players follows:
– USC had 3 foreign players.
– 6 teams had 2 foreign players: ASU, Colorado, Utah, California, UCLA, and OSU.
– 3 teams had one foreign player: WU, WSU, and OU.
• The breakdown by country follows
– 4 players were from Canada.
– 2 players were from each of the following: Greece, Italy, Puerto Rico, and Serbia.
– 1 player was from each of the following: Brazil, France, Germany, Mexico, Slovenia, and Ukraine.

At this point, there does not appear to be reason to believe that there are an inordinate number of foreign players in the PAC-12. Given the strength and popularity of high school volleyball in the U.S., it is unlikely that “too many” foreign players will become a problem in the near future.