STOCKTON, Calif. - Starting in the fall of 2026, University of the Pacific will begin a new initiative with the creation of men's and women's soccer development teams in athletics.
 
This new initiative expands competitive opportunities for students and supports Pacific's commitment to athletic development, fitness, academic success and increased campus engagement.
 
"We're thrilled to introduce developmental teams for both our men's and women's soccer programs," Director of Athletics Adam Tschuor said. "These teams will serve as a bridge between our varsity program and our student body while also providing the opportunity to serve a variety of motivations for potential enrollees at Pacific, from those that aspire to continue improving their skillset and compete to those that are just looking to stay connected to the game and fit."
 
The development teams will provide students with a competitive experience against local and regional teams while also getting first class tutelage under the guidance of the Pacific Soccer varsity coaching staffs.  These programs will serve as pilot programs for future development teams under the umbrella of Pacific's other varsity programs and beyond.
 
"With opportunities for athletics participation becoming increasingly limited nationally due to budget constraints, roster caps and shifting priorities concepts like these will become ever more important to providing not just participation opportunities but new and different experiences as well," Tschuor said.
 
The new development teams will adhere to the same coaching philosophies and standards as the varsity programs. The expanded roster opportunities also support Pacific's broader enrollment and student engagement strategies by welcoming more students to campus through competitive collegiate athletics.
 
"This initiative is about building community and creating meaningful opportunities for our students," said Head Men's Soccer Coach Andres Ochoa. "We want to strengthen the connection between athletics and campus while providing an environment where students can compete, grow, and take pride in representing Pacific. There is always a pathway for players who aspire to reach the varsity level, and this program allows us to foster development while enhancing the overall student experience. We are excited to bring this opportunity back to Pacific."
 
Ochoa's vision reflects a broader department-wide commitment to growth and opportunity, a sentiment echoed on the women's side of the program.
 
"This is huge for the Pacific community and for those students who are interested in receiving an education from one of the nation's top institutions while continuing to play competitive soccer. You don't have to choose between elite academics and competitive soccer - you can have both at Pacific," said Head Women's Soccer Coach Jeff Freeman. "Those choosing to play development soccer here at Pacific will have an exciting opportunity to be a part of something new, play competitive soccer, align with our Division I program's values and build something meaningful."
 
Schedules for the 2026 men's & women's soccer development teams will be announced at a later date on pacifictigers.com.

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