CDSA RIPTIDE: My Site News: Letter from RI with opening Ceremony Run of Show details
Wednesday, June 24Letter from RI with opening Ceremony Run of Show details
Dear Players, Referees, and Families, Welcome to the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship Series, Region I Championships. We hope you will enjoy the event, the sights, and all the activities here in West Virginia. Below you will find some helpful information regarding the Opening Ceremony on Thursday, July 2, at the Joan C. Edwards Stadium at Marshall University.
· FREE Parking is located in various lots around the stadium within walking distance. ALL Stadium Gates will be open at 2:00pm
· NO outside food or drink is allowed in the Stadium. There will be concessions stands open for your convenience.
· Players, Referees and Assessors will be seated on the East Side of the Stadium opposite the press box while spectators will be seated on the West side (press box side) of the stadium.
· The First Cross Bar Elimination Competition sponsored by Region I will be held at the Opening Ceremony. Every team in the 15 State Associations will need to select ahead of time one player to represent their team. Boys and girls will compete separately among similar age groups (U12-13, U14-15, U16-17 and U18-19). Each player will have one opportunity to hit the cross bar 20 yards out from the goal. Those that succeed will continue till 5 or less players remain. Up to 5 winners will be award a prize per age group. All participants (1 per team) will need to meet at Gate “C” in the Stadium at 2:30pm on Thursday, July 2nd, in order to compete.
Opening Ceremony Timeline
1:00 pm Volunteers report to Gate C,
2:00 pm piped in music starts and stadium opens to the public, VIP rooms open, rock band entertainment will begin, soccer video on jumbo screen begins, signup for Marshall tours, and other planned activities
2:30 Cross Bar Elimination Competition Contestants report to Gate C
3:00 Cross Bar Elimination Competition begins
3:10 Mascots report to gate C
3:25 A 5 v 5 soccer game between the Mascots on field
3:40 All players and refs must be seated on the east size of stadium in designated area
3:42 Movie about MU / Huntington Area / WV on jumbo screen
3:50 Sky divers jump and bring in proclamation, commentary by the 82nd Airborne representative
4:00 Ceremony begins with opening greetings from Senator Bob Plymale and WVSA President Len Rogers Flag roll out as the 249th Army Band - WV National Guard plays "America the Beautiful" sung by Mr. Randall Reid Smith "Star Spangled Banner" played by the band - sung by Mr. Randall Reid Smith and a fly by
Proclamation and Greetings from Governor Manchin, local officials, and US Youth Soccer Officials
Music by band resumes and players begin to lineup for parade Parade begins, names of teams are provided by commentary
All players and referees are on the field Torch Run - Lighting of the Caldron by the 1997 WV Region I Champions
Let the Games Begin.......... Players and Referees will exit field by the designated ramps