The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Hosts "Soccer For A Cure" Classic This Weekend
9/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 10, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB men's soccer team will host the annual UAB "Soccer For A Cure" Classic on Sept. 11 and 13 at West Campus Field. The Blazers will welcome Conference USA rival Memphis, as well as a pair of 2008 NCAA Tournament teams in Drake and UMKC for this year's event.
The 2009 season marks the second straight year that the tournament is tabbed the "Soccer For A Cure" Classic; however, this year's event marks the 12th consecutive year the Blazers have hosted the annual tournament.
Last season, the "Soccer For A Cure" Classic was the first tournament of its kind in the nation. The event will raise money to help aid cancer victims through the sport of soccer. The money that is raised by the event will remain in Birmingham and be divided among cancer research facilities. Last year, the event raised several thousand dollars for families affected by cancer.
"The `Soccer For A Cure Classic' is always a great event and it will be no different this season," UAB head coach Mike Getman said. "It'll be four good teams and it may be the most competitive tournament we have ever hosted."
This year's event should be another exciting tournament, featuring two teams who will make their first appearance at the annual event (Drake and UMKC). Memphis (1-0-1) and UMKC (0-2) will open the tournament when they play on Friday at 5 p.m., while UAB (2-1) will host Drake (2-1) at 7:30 p.m. On the tournament's second day, Memphis and Drake will meet on Sunday at Noon, followed by the Classic's finale at 2:30 p.m. with UAB and UMKC squaring off.
UAB has won six Classic titles, with those coming in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2007.
Admission is free to all UAB students with a valid ID. Students and season ticket holders are encouraged to attend a pregame tailgate with free food and drinks beginning approximately 60 minutes prior to the start of the UAB matches.
