Sand Springs - The First Annual Midwest Labor Day Invitational tournament was hosted this past weekend, September 4th and 5th at Rivercity Parks in Sand Springs.  With cooperative weather, great teams, and tremendous kids, the event was a smashing success!  Click here to read more... 

 FIRST ANNUAL MIDWEST LABOR DAY TOURNAMENT HUGE SUCCESS

   Mild temperatures, soothing sunshine, great playing surfaces, and some good spirited competition all contributed to the success of the First Annual Midwest Labor Invitational held at the Rivercity Parks Sports Complex over Labor Day weekend, September 4-5, 2010.  One of the premiere venues for hosting tournaments because of it’s scenic backdrop along the bank of the Arkansas River, the Rivercity Sports Complex has become a common meeting place for many youth soccer teams in the Midwest Region the past few years.  

    The Midwest Labor Day Invitational is the newest event to locate at the Rivercity Sports Complex, and early impressions seem to indicate the event will be back.  "It was a bit of an experiment.  We wanted to test the waters some," reported Barry Roberts, one of the tournament directors.  The barometer for success, based on feedback, seems that the tournament passed the test.  Playing host to over 50 teams, from Oklahoma and Arkansas, with a large contingent from the home club, West Side Alliance S.C., the tournament included academy divisions of u7 thru u10, and competitive divisions of u11 thru u19.  The event included several 2010 State Semifinalist and Finalist teams, marking itself as competitive, and the event included many younger academy teams.  "Our events typically cover the full spectrum: College Showcase to youngest academy teams," reported Director of Coaching and Tournament Director, Roger Bush.  

    All in all 11 division champions were crowned, each champion and runner-up team receiving the popular and coveted (see video for firsthand evidence) Midwest Labor Day Cup.   The final match of the day included a dramatic penalty kick shootout victory for the WSA 93 girls. Almost scripted, the first annual event, which two months ago had just been taken to the drawing boards, kicked off with a boom and ended with a boom.  "I’m pretty certain we laid the groundwork for this to become a staple in the soccer community," reported Kevin King, one of the Tournament Directors.

King, Bush, Roberts, who served as tournament directors, pointed out that once again the WSA Amigo’s Task Force of Curt Mcginis, Chris Foster, Nick Bradford, and Jeremy Herrington got it done when it came to facility prep and on site coordinating.  Nabiel Kharoubeh was credited with another outstanding job of referee coordinating, David Crutchfield with field prep, Kim King with concession coordinating and scorekeeping, as well as Pam Thibodeaux and Candy Breck in concessions and sponsor coordination.  

 Pictured here (to left) the WSA 97 Red team celebrates the u14 boys championship after knocking off a tough finalist, Ft. Smith Express 97 from Arkansas.   

    
     The tournament organizing committee would like to extend a special thank you to all teams and participants who participated in this year’s event. 

      If you’d like to visit the tournament page to see "FINAL SCORES, STANDINGS, PICS"  PLEASE CLICK HERE. 

      To view some highlights from the event please see TOURNAMENT VIDEO BELOW:

2010 Midwest Labor Day Review Video & Finalist Presentations