A Georgia soccer player races up the field, and passes the ball. His teammate spins a defender and unleashes a drive into the upper goal.

They jump into the stands where they are embraced by Bulldog faithful.

A nice moment, but not one seen at the University since there is no men’s varsity soccer team in Athens.

Title IX is the main reason, said Tom Camp, president of the Athens United Soccer Association. Title IX dictates there should be equal opportunity based on gender in education, which includes college athletics.

In order for the University to add a men’s soccer, another women’s athletic team needs to be added. Camp said there are “no more women’s programs to add.” Funding also becomes an issue, as it is unlikely the University has enough room in the athletic budget to support two more varsity teams.

The University is presented with a similar Title IX dilemma Brigham Young University faced. Despite success at the club soccer level, BYU was unable to add a men’s varsity team due to budget issues.

BYU’s alternative was the Premier Development League. The PDL allows college-age soccer players to gain experience in a professional atmosphere without losing college eligibility.

In 2003, BYU’s club soccer team purchased a PDL franchise for what the New York Times reported around $40,000. The team sought better competition, and found it while circumventing the NCAA.

Despite a rough first year, BYU rebounded and finished atop its division last season.

Although there are similarities between the Title IX issues of BYU and Georgia, it is difficult to determine if the University could replicate BYU’s success if the University’s club soccer team acquired a PDL franchise.

Georgia’s club soccer team has come nowhere near duplicating the success of BYU’s club team during the last decade.

However, the University’s club soccer team has been on the rise in recent years, with the team reaching the Collegiate Soccer Sport Club Championships last fall.

Chris De Ved, captain of the club soccer team, believes that “the starting 11 [players on the club team] would be comfortable” in a league like the PDL.

De Ved said the team would be able to generate support comparable to other PDL franchises. The league’s average attendance in 2007 was 516 fans per game.

The University’s club soccer team also has a well-qualified coach in Dante Trevino. Trevino holds a United States Soccer Federation “A” coaching license, which is the highest offered by the USSF.

Lee Cohen, the director of PDL operations for the United Soccer Leagues, said any prospective Athens franchise depends on the pull within the local community and “on who wants to back it.” Cohen estimates the average PDL club operates on $80,000 to $100,000 on a yearly basis.

“The first couple of years [of a franchise's existence] are difficult” from a business aspect, Cohen said. However, most teams break even after year three.

Cohen said there is “always interest” in purchasing a PDL franchise in most U.S. markets. In addition, more college club soccer teams have inquired about a PDL franchise after witnessing BYU’s example.

A potential Athens franchise would need sizable interest among the community and a wealthy investor.