Suntan Classic - August 11- 12, 2007

Successes All Around For Suntan Classic!

With 92 teams competing at Cherry Island and Granite Regional Park - the Sacramento United Suntan Classic soccer tournament raised the bar for tournaments in Sacramento!

The weather gods were kind with beautiful weather here in the Capitol city. Sac United hosted teams from all over northern California - from Ukiah to Santa Cruz, as well as the North County Pacific Titans from southern California.

Our tournament referee assignor, Mike Koshell worked tirelessly to attract the best qualified referees possible in No. California. Mike was able to secure officials from Canada, Idaho, Nevada and New York, as well - who he knows from other refereeing events and were traveling in our area and spent the weekend with us at Cherry Island.

The competition was great - many of the championships came down to shots on the mark which made for a real nail-biting experience for the spectators.

This year, I am proud that the Suntan Classic was able to incorporate student leadership within our event. Part of Sac United philosophy during our 5 year plan, has been to encourage all our players to do well is school and continue with their education through college - and with this encouragement we hope to have student leaders in years to come be a part of our event.

Sho Takatori - a Sac United alumni from last year and a Senior at John F. Kennedy High School - who's senior project through ninemillion.org was to raise funds to help change the life of African Refugee Children one ball or soccer game at a time - raised over $451 during the course of the Suntan Classic. Sho would like to thank all who donated it this great cause.

Caitlin Crooks - Spitfire U17G and a Junior at CK McClatchy High School HISP, through US Soccer Federation's Passback campaign collected TONS of gently used soccer equipment that will be donated to local youth soccer organizations in areas where new equipment is a dream. Caitlin is still busy sorting all the donations and would like to thank everyone for making this campaign a success.

Thanks goes to Roger Madeiros and Elite Athlete Fitness Training - our tournament trainer this year. Roger and his crew rapped tons of ankles, gave out ice, provided advise. It was a great addition to our tournament.

HUGE thanks to Coca-Cola for their generosity, as well as Raley's and Nor Cal Produce, Inc. for their unending support to Sac United. Also deserving a round of applause are the great vendors who have become a part of our Suntan family: Big Joe's BBQ, Wildcat Coffee, Portable Iceberg Shaved Ice, Shady Business, Action Shooters and Kombat Soccer.

Tom's Printing and New Directions/Screen Print It - Robert Tom and Ray Wise - who do our tournament programs and t shirts. They are always there for us, never missing the mark even when we push our drop-dead deadlines, which is most appreciated.

Our volunteers are the best and this year was no exception. Our parents came out as field marshals, snack bar workers, parking coordinators, set up crews and clean up crews to make the Suntan a very organized and well run event. The Tournament Committee, made up of representatives from each of our teams, did an outstanding job. They truly represent our club slogan, "One Club, One Love".

Extra Kudos to Mark Henwood, Joe Morales, Suzanne Uda, Dave Franzoia, Dean Peckham, Andrea Schurer, Joe O'Neal, Mitch Holley, Iggy Rodriguez, Tami Cholger, ePaiges and Kim Rodriguez who went above and beyond during the course of the weekend.

Mark your calendars for Suntan 2008! August 10 & 11. Plans are already in the making for a bigger, even better tournament!

Vickie Ramos, Director of Tournaments
sactovlr@hotmail.com


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