A recent comment by Auburn head football coach Hugh Freeze has sparked controversy, not just within the football community but also in a surprising corner—Arkansas soccer. Freeze, known for his bold statements and high-profile career, offered a “cold take” that was met with immediate backlash. The situation became even more heated when Kelly Roliard, Arkansas’ women’s soccer coach, chimed in, fueling a wider conversation about respect across collegiate sports.
The controversy began when Hugh Freeze, speaking at a press conference about Auburn football, veered into a discussion about the overall athletic landscape of the SEC. Freeze, perhaps in an attempt to emphasize football’s dominance in the conference, made a comment many interpreted as dismissive of non-football sports, particularly women’s athletics. In his remark, Freeze insinuated that while sports like soccer and volleyball are “important,” they don’t carry the same weight or level of scrutiny as football.
The implication that these sports somehow mattered less—or were less demanding—caused immediate waves, especially among supporters and athletes in women’s sports programs across the SEC. Many took to social media to express their frustration with Freeze’s comments, calling them tone-deaf and dismissive of the hard work and dedication that go into building successful teams in non-revenue sports.
One of the most vocal critics of Freeze’s comments was Kelly Roliard, head coach of the University of Arkansas women’s soccer team. Under her leadership, Arkansas soccer has become one of the top programs in the nation, regularly competing at a high level in the ultra-competitive SEC. Roliard didn’t mince words when addressing Freeze’s remarks.
In an interview with local media, Roliard expressed her disappointment in Freeze’s comment, stating, “To say that our sport or any women’s sport doesn’t matter as much as football is not only misguided but it’s insulting to the athletes who pour their hearts and souls into what they do. The success we’ve built at Arkansas soccer isn’t just important to our players and fans—it’s crucial to the entire athletic department. We demand the same respect and recognition that any other sport deserves.”
Roliard’s response was met with overwhelming support from her players, fellow coaches, and fans of women’s athletics across the SEC. Her comments reflected a growing sentiment that female athletes and non-football sports deserve equal respect and acknowledgment, both on and off the field.
The Freeze-Roliard exchange highlights a broader issue in collegiate athletics: the struggle for recognition and respect between revenue-generating sports like football and basketball and non-revenue sports, including women’s sports. While football undoubtedly draws the most attention, media coverage, and revenue in schools like Auburn and Arkansas, it doesn’t mean that the athletes and coaches in other sports work any less hard or contribute any less to their schools’ athletic success.
The rise of women’s sports, especially in the SEC, has been notable over the past decade. Teams like Arkansas soccer and South Carolina women’s basketball have built national reputations for excellence. With this rise has come an increased demand for respect and visibility from both the media and university administrations.
Freeze’s comments unintentionally became a flashpoint for this ongoing debate. His remarks, seen by many as a reflection of outdated thinking about the hierarchy of sports, touched a nerve among athletes and coaches who believe that all sports, regardless of revenue, should be celebrated for their successes.
While Freeze’s comments have undoubtedly caused controversy, they also present an opportunity for growth and understanding within collegiate athletics. As women’s sports continue to grow in popularity and success, it’s crucial for figures like Freeze—whose words carry significant weight in the sports world—to recognize the evolving landscape.
In the wake of the backlash, some analysts suggested that Freeze’s comments were less about diminishing women’s sports and more about illustrating the immense pressure football coaches face in the SEC. However, as Roliard’s response made clear, framing football as the pinnacle of importance without acknowledging the effort and accomplishments of other sports does a disservice to the broader athletic community.
It remains to be seen if Freeze will address the controversy further or if it will lead to more productive conversations within SEC schools about valuing all sports equally. For now, the incident serves as a reminder that comments—even those made off the cuff—can have far-reaching consequences, especially in an era where athletes and coaches in every sport are demanding respect for their contributions.
Hugh Freeze’s cold take has sparked a controversy that extends beyond the football field, reaching into the heart of collegiate sports culture. With Kelly Roliard and other advocates for women’s sports standing up for their programs, the conversation around respect, equality, and recognition in college athletics is more vital than ever. As programs like Arkansas soccer continue to rise, the broader sports community must reckon with the reality that success is not limited to revenue-generating sports—it spans every field, court, and pitch across the NCAA.