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| Messenger photo by Renee Gannon |
| Central Crossing High School senior Sean Raugh and Mark Evans play a game of soccer against alumni Nick Kadoves and Chase Hibbler at the first annual alumni soccer game on July 13. The event aimed to raise funds for the current men’s soccer team. |
The Central Crossing High School (CCHS) men’s soccer team held its first annual alumni/fund raiser game on July 13.
"The game was all about having fun and was a good way to kick off the season," said soccer Coach Dennis Booth.
The alumni game was intended as a fund raiser for the current team, but the idea was to build from the past by bringing the older players back and keeping them involved in the soccer program Booth explained.
"Having the alumni return gives the older players a chance to talk to our current team about life after high school, what to do about getting into college and a chance to reflect on life lessons that soccer has brought them."
All CCHS teammates from freshmen to varsity challenged the alumni players with enthusiasm. The game was played in four 20-minute increments and even though the final score was 9-2 (alumni) "the play was great on both sides," said Booth.
Among the alumni graduates who returned to support the alumni game were Matt Eberle, Chase Hibbler, Nick Kadoves, Tristan Murry, and Jeremy Solberg.
"It was pretty cool just to get out there and play with the team again, especially with the older guys," said Kadoves.
Kadoves is a 2007 graduate from CCHS and is headed to Urbana University this fall to join their soccer program.
"As long as CCHS has the alumni games I’ll come back to play," he said.
CCHS varsity player Ian Cathey who will be a senior this year said he was excited to play against the alumni.
"It was a great opportunity to play against higher skilled players, some that have played on a college level, and it was fun getting everyone together early in the season," he added.
The 2007-2008 CCHS men’s soccer seniors are: Ian Cathey, Zach Dotson, Derek Eller, Mark Evans, Noah Gannon, J.C. Kellar, Shaun Raugh, Hugo Rivas and Nick Sands.
Booth said he has been busy getting the team ready for the 2007 season with tryouts being held during the week of July 30-Aug. 3, 9 a.m. to noon at CCHS. The first official game is against Newark High School on Aug. 28 at home.
When asked if he plans to make the CCHS alumni game a tradition Booth said "We will continue to have the alumni games as long as I am at CCHS just to keep the players and their families coming back to help support the soccer program and the school."
