Soccer seniors kick off Grassroot event

Author: Ted Silberman

On April 26, soccer lovers will join together to give AIDS the boot, courtesy of the Middlebury College community. The College's first "Lose the Shoes" 3 vs. 3 soccer tournament benefits Grassroot Soccer, a nonprofit organization that uses the cross-cultural appeal of soccer to educate African children about AIDS prevention.

The tournament brings together teams of three to five students to play barefoot soccer for prizes generously donated by local businesses. Every team will play at least four games before the top eight move on to the playoffs and compete for gift certificates from Noonies Deli, Costello's Market, The Grapevine Grille, Forth 'N Goal and Ramunto's Pizza. All proceeds from the $10-per-player entrance fee will go directly to Grassroot Soccer.

The tournament promises to draw many participants. The event organizers - Brian Bush '09, Corey Moffat '09 and Nolan Lincoln '09 - aim to bring out 60 people. The trio does hope for a larger turnout because "it is such a fun idea that it has the potential to involve many more," according to Bush.

Founded by former college soccer players, including "Survivor" champion Ethan Zohn, Grassroot Soccer uses the sport's universal appeal to fight HIV. According to its Web site, "founder Tommy Clark conceived of the idea after having played soccer professionally in Zimbabwe where he witnessed firsthand both the devastation of HIV and the fanatical popularity of soccer." By involving the kids in activities run by soccer players, the organization harnesses the benefits of active learning with respected role models to use their enthusiasm for soccer against the dreadful disease.

"Grassroot Soccer is a really worthy cause," said Bush. "'Lose the Shoes' tournaments like this one have helped raise around $150,000 at colleges across the country in the past three years."

Bush got the idea from his brother, who played in a similar tournament at Dartmouth College, but Middlebury already had connections to Grassroot. Recent graduates Kellan Florio '05, Alex Elias '08, Dave Larocca '08 and Kim Kennedy '08, are currently in Africa working with the organization and Lindsay Rotherham '09, Allen Bourdon '08.5 and Moffat will head off next year.

The tournament has not even started yet, but Bush is already pleased with the level of participation from the Middlebury community. "My teammates from soccer have been very helpful in setting up the whole thing and the team has donated a lot of the equipment," he said. "[Director of the Center for Campus Activities and Leadership] Doug Adams helped me with the planning and told me hw to get the word out," said Bush. "I also cannot thank the businesses enough for donating all the great prizes. Without their generosity, none of this would have been possible."

This early support bodes well for the tournament and Bush is confident its success will blossom into a tradition at the College. "I can see this tournament turning into an annual event," he said. "It's a fantastic way to have some fun and support a great cause at the same time. There's no reason not to keep it up."

Students can find more information at www.kickaids.org or by joining the Facebook group "Middlebury Grassroot Soccer Tournament." One can also sign up a team by e-mailing Bush directly at bbush@middlebury.edu. Bush encourages participation and promises that "it will be a really good time and a chance to spend a Sunday afternoon in the sun."