Wooster Classic a gem for Wooster, game of soccer

  • brian questel
  • August 10, 2011
  • 440
                        
081511 WoosterClassic Promo: Wooster Soccer Classic a ‘big success’ for all involved Wooster Classic a gem for Wooster, game of soccer By Brian Questel It’s Wooster’s own Central Park, so to speak, and the soccer complex found inside this 100-acre green gem is always busy. That was never more the case than August 7 when Wooster High School hosted the Wooster Soccer Classic and drew 28 high schools to Wooster to play in the daylong competition. The tournament was held at the Burbank Road soccer complex as well as two fields across from Wooster High School this year, with teams playing from 8 a.m. through 6 p.m. In all, there were over 50 varsity and JV teams from 28 schools, along with teams from Wooster’s Ohio Strikers United, who filled the fields throughout the day. From a mere idea long ago, the Wooster Soccer Classic has continued to grow, and Wooster head girl’s coach Les Wudarzewski is hoping to see the program continue to grow. “The Wooster Classic was a big success and big success for the local schools,” said Wudarzewski. “We had beautiful weather with the exception of a small rain. I think people did well and overall it was a huge success.” The tournament attracted talented teams, such as state powers Ontario and Hathaway Brown, as well numerous teams willing to drive well over an hour, such as Eastlake North and Youngstown’s Cardinal Mooney. “I think the biggest reason it is growing it because coaches and players really enjoy the multi-scrimmage environment and seeing other teams play,” said Wudarzewski. “It’s almost like a tournament, but it’s not. Rather than scrimmaging someone local, teams can scrimmage different teams, some from 100 miles away.” Tournament director Pete Philippon echoed those sentiments as well. “We had eight local teams and another 20 teams from outside the area,” he said. “We have a bunch of teams that return year after year and teams that are among the top in the state. Last season Ontario was one of the top teams in Division II (making the Final Four) and Hathaway Brown made the state finals (in Division II). There were a couple of Top-10 teams. “There were some really good teams, stiff competition and they enjoy coming to our facility,” added Philippon. “There is a lot to be said for Les and (WHS assistant) Jeff (Battig) and some of the relationships they’ve made – coaches want to come here.” “Our facilities are in good shape and our parents do a good job,” added Wudarzewski. “The Wooster Classic has a very good reputation over the years and I think it is becoming one of the biggest 1-day scrimmages in Ohio.” The help Wudarzewski gets from parents is a key component to the success of the tournament, and their efforts have received a boost with the year-old addition of the permanent concession stand and restrooms. “There is no way I could do this by myself,” laughed Wudarzewski. “Parents understand the money we raise during the classic is going to their kids. It might be just for little things, but it’s things parents don’t spend money on. And, I think it shows the respect the coaching staff is getting from the parents because if they didn’t think much of us, they would not be putting forth the effort they are. “And, the tournament definitely gives us an opportunity to evaluate girls at different positions without pressure,” he added. “Yes, we want to win … but without sacrificing a game, we have opportunities to evaluate girls at different positions without worrying about wins and losses.” “From my standpoint, it’s one long day for myself and most of the volunteers, but it’s worth it,” said Philippon. “There was good soccer going on around us and everything ran like clockwork except for a couple of glitches, but I thought we reacted well to those and didn’t miss a beat. “We had a lot of really good helpers who were dedicated and committed to making it happen. The concession building makes it easy to run. The people who want to help have a nice place to do the food and concessions as well as socialize and mingle. It’s a good group of parents.” It’s worth it enough for Philippon to keep returning to the tournament even after his daughter, Jenn, graduates in the spring of 2012. With volunteers like that, it allows Wudarzewski the opportunity to envision the tournament growing to 32 or even 36 teams. “That is something I’d love to see,” he said. “My dream picture would be to invite teams to a camp for a total experience … where they train here, go to Mohican for a day and then scrimmage on our facilities – stuff like that. I think we could find some teams interested in something like that.”


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