By By Ryan Satcher / staff writer
October 17, 2002
The time has come once again for one of the biggest soccer events in Meridian.
For the 10th year, the Meridian Youth Soccer Organization, Rush Foundation Hospital and The City of Meridian Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor the Rush Autumn Classic this weekend.
Around 60 teams, boys and girls, will come to the Meridian area to participate in the tournament that kicks off early Saturday morning.
The tournament usually averages 60-7 5 teams so the number is a little lower this year, but according to MYSO President Doug Kitchens the number is just right.
The tournament will be held in all age groups from Under-8 to Under-16. Some age groups will play pool play while some will play round robin competition. The top four teams will then play in bracket play. Every team entered in the tournament is guaranteed a minimum of three games in the competition.
The tournament will kick off bright and early on Saturday morning with games starting at 7 a.m. Games on Saturday will be played at Jaycee Soccer Complex and at the Northeast Recreational Complex. The final games of the day should finish up about 8:30 p.m.
Some teams will have to get up early and compete with games starting at 7 a.m. on Sunday morning. The games on Sunday will be played at Jaycee Soccer Complex. The tournaments should be over about 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.
The tournament will not only give teams a chance to get some games in, but will also be a fundraiser for the MYSO. It allows the organization to get money needed to take care of expenses during the year without having the players go out and sell things to raise funds.
Rush Foundation Hospital is one of the main reasons the tournament is now in its 10th year. The hospital supplies money for the event and the Rush Sports Medicine Team will have trainers at the tournament to help with injured athletes.