This weekend, there are lots of events happening on the Texas A&M campus, but I’m especially excited about the two big soccer events which involve our current and former players on Saturday.  In this week’s journal I will comment on our 7v7 Tournament, our 17^th Annual Awards Banquet, another Aggie being called up to the U23 National Team, as well as the exploits of a couple former players in South America.

Here are some quick hits on news surrounding the Aggie Soccer Program:

• 4 Aggies called into U23 National Team – Congratulations to sophomore defender Bri Young for being called into the March 7-14 training camp with the USA Under 23 Women’s National Team!  Bri is the 4^th Aggie to be called into this event in Sunrise, Florida.  She’s be joining Kristin Arnold (Gk), Rachel Shipley (MF), and Whitney Hooper (F).
• Online registration is now open for our summer soccer camps at Texas A&M.  We offer many options for boys and girls who are looking for that “WOW!” summer soccer experience.  Visit www.AggieSoccerCamp.com for all the info!
• Become a Facebook Fan of Texas A&M Soccer.  All you have to do is go to www.facebook.com/aggiesoccercamp and click on “become a fan”

17^th Annual Soccer Awards Banquet

We are hosting our annual awards banquet at the Zone Club at Kyle Field this Saturday night.  This is always a festive event where we celebrate another wonderful year of success for the Aggie soccer program and our players.  And this year we’re adding a new little wrinkle to the event – we’re “Going Hollywood” with our award presentations this year – an idea hatched by Lori Stephenson and Curt Magnuson, and inspired by the Oscar awards.

Every year we announce who the players have voted for in a number of different categories like perseverance, spirit, and most valuable in a variety of positions.  I think that these awards are so special because they are chosen by the people who are in the trenches every day, and not just a popularity contest by the fans.  Don’t get me wrong, we have great and knowledgeable fans, but no-one knows this team like the players.

Also, I’m pleased to announce that our new Texas A&M president, R. Bowen Loftin and his wife will be at the event and he’ll be addressing the large audience of players, family, friends, and the many fans of the team.  If you’d like to attend, please email Curt Magnuson ASAP.  His email address is cmagnuson@athletics.tamu.edu The banquet starts at 7pm!

Saturday is Game Day!

This Saturday we will also be hosting the 17^th Annual 7v7 Tournament at Texas A&M.  The Aggies and 7 other college programs will be taking part in the tournament.  Plus, the Challenge Soccer Club is also hosting their own 7v7 Tourney for youth teams.  So, it should be a fun day of soccer in Aggieland!

Admission to the soccer games is FREE.  But, you must enter through the West Gate of the soccer stadium.  That’s because our softball team is also running a tournament, so if you go through the east or north gates, you’ll have to purchase a softball ticket to enter.  Again, the west gate is located off of the Reed Arena parking lot 100F, right next to the Penberthy Intramural Fields.

I love 7v7 as a training method for our players.  I like the speed of thought, attacking action, and tempo of the games.  And, I like that the players are having a good time out there.  I hosted my 1^st 7v7 event back in 1986 and have loved putting on this event at A&M each year since our initial spring season back in 1994.

The rules of the game are pretty simple.  We play 2 twenty-two minute halves with a 5 minute halftime.  We take the regular rules of soccer, including throw-ins, goal kicks, and corner kicks.  Use 6 field players + a goalkeeper.  Put them on a field that’s the width of the regular penalty area (44 yards) and the length of our field’s usual width (75 yards).  Throw out the offside rule and take away the goalkeeper’s ability to punt or drop kick, and there you have it – 7v7 attacking soccer!

Here is the game schedule for this Saturday’s Tournament:

	2010 7v7 Tournament at Texas A&M
Time	Track Infield			Soccer Stadium 1			Soccer Stadium 2		Time
8am	off	off		Field Set-up & Warm-up			Field Set-up & Warm-up		8am
9am	off	off		A&M	HBU		U of H	SHSU	9am
10am	off	off		Challenge	Eclipse		FC Dallas	Lonestars	10am
11am	off	off		A&M	UTSA		Rice	Lamar	11am
Noon	Field Set-up & Warm-up			Challenge	Lonestars		FC Dallas	Eclipse	Noon
1pm	HBU	SHSU		A&M	Rice		Lamar	U of H	1pm
2pm	Lonestars	Eclipse		FC Dallas	Challenge		UTSA	U of H	2pm
3pm	HBU	Lamar		A&M	SHSU		UTSA	Rice	3pm

“Saturday in Aggieland”

There are lots of things happening in Aggieland this Saturday.  Obviously I want folks to come to our games during the day and to our banquet that night.  But, those are not the only things happening. 

Here’s a quick look at some of the other events: Our Softball Team is hosting a tournament which begins at 10am (the Aggies play in the afternoon); our women’s basketball team plays texas at noon in Reed Arena; our baseball team plays Seton Hall at Olsen Field at 2:05pm…

Plus, our admission department is running “Saturday in Aggieland” – a campus-wide open house to help prospective students and their families learn more about the opportunities available at Texas A&M University is open to both high school students and transfer students. Sponsored by the Office of Admissions and Records. Website: http://www.oar.tamu.edu/aggielandSaturday/default.aspx

Phew, looks like you can’t miss by being in Aggieland this Saturday – there is something for everyone.  I hope I get to see you at the soccer stadium during the day or over at The Zone Club that night!

Micah and Petey’s World Traveler News

For those of you who’ve been keeping up, Micah Stephens and Emily Peterson are in the early stages of their round the world trip.  Micah and Petey are former Aggie soccer stars who are not afraid to sew some oats in this time between being full time students and workers in the real world!

Last week they were in Brazil.  This week they are in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  Here is a photo Emily took while visiting Iguazu Falls located on the border of the Brazilian state of Paraná and the Argentine province of Misiones. The falls divide the river into the upper and lower Iguazu.

Champions League

Finally, here is a little highlight video of this week’s Champions league clash between AC Milan and Manchester United:

Thanks again for supporting texas A&M Soccer!  I hope to see you this weekend on campus! -Coach G