Plum Kick-Off Classic youth soccer tournament to welcome 309 teams
Aug. 24—For a quarter of a century, the Plum Kick-Off Classic youth soccer tournament has hosted competitive matchups involving teams and organizations hoping for a successful start to their seasons.
One of the region's largest youth soccer events is back this weekend. The 26th annual tournament begins Friday and runs through Sunday as 309 boys and girls teams from throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley, Western Pa. and West Virginia will take to the pitch at eight locations in Plum, Monroeville and Murrysville.
"When you think of the size of the tournament now, with the 300-plus teams, there is a lot of logistics that go into making it happen," tournament director Jamie Stewart said.
"It is a very busy time of the year, school getting ready to start, fall sports for high school, and so many other things. It is a testament to the organization that we have so many people who help out with time and energy in different areas and care so much for the success of the tournament. We're very thankful for all of that."
There are division from boys and girls U9 to boys U14/U15 and girls U15.
Larry Mills Park in Plum again will serve as the tournament hub, but games also will be staged on fields at Plum High School and Plum Middle School, Boyce Park, Plum Creek Park, Murrysville Community Park, Murrysville Veterans Field and Monroeville Community Park East and West.
"When you get to Friday at 6, and the games kick off, that is what it's all about," Stewart said.
The 309 teams are the most in the tournament's 26 years, said Kevin Schlegel, tournament co-director.
"It says a lot about the soccer organizations in PA West and the growth of the sport overall," said Schlegel, who has been involved with Plum soccer for two decades and the kick-off classic for nearly that long.
"It is called a kick-off tournament for a reason as it kicks off the new season. It is an opportunity for young players to get back with their teams and their friends and have a positive environment in which to compete and enjoy the game that they love.
"We do the best we can to put on a festival-type atmosphere. The games are central to what we want to provide, but we also try to offer a total experience. A lot of the players, 10 years from now, may not remember a specific game result, but they will remember the memories made with their friends and families and the times hanging out together between games."
Heavy hearts prevail as Stewart, Schlegel and everyone else involved with the tournament's operation prepare to host all of the teams and games throughout the area.
Paul Oravitz, Kevin Sebunia and Mike Thomas, three of the six who died as a result of the Rustic Ridge house explosion Aug. 12, were major contributors to the success of Plum youth soccer in general and the Plum Kick-Off Classic specifically, Stewart said.
"Paul and Kevin were both past tournament directors and have been mentors to me throughout my time as current tournament director," he said. "Despite their kids not playing in the tournament for many years, they all continued to donate their time to support a tournament and a game they all loved. We are grateful to them for their service to not only our club and the Plum Kick-Off Classic tournament but also the game of soccer.
"We will certainly miss them not being with us this weekend. However, we will continue to carry on the tournament to ensure that the kids are offered a safe environment to create lasting memories playing the game of soccer."
The schedule for each division, game locations, directions to fields, scores, standings and a plethora of additional information is available at plumkickoffclassic.com.
Michael Love is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Michael at 724-226-4665, mlove@triblive.com or via Twitter .
