COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew, Real Salt Lake and The University of Tampa announced today the details for the Second Annual Tom Fitzgerald Memorial Soccer Festival that will be held on Sunday, February 12, in Tampa, Fla.
The day's festivities will be held on the campus of the University of Tampa and will feature The Crew taking on Real Salt Lake at 6:30 p.m. at Pepin Stadium. The day will also include the MetroStars taking on the U.S. U-17 National Team at 4 p.m. and a Youth Clinic from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Tickets to games are $12 for adults (18 and older), $7 for youth (ages 12-17) and $5 for kids under 12. All proceeds from the games and clinic will go to the Tom Fitzgerald Memorial Scholarship Fund.
"This is an event that is very important to our organization," said Crew General Manager Mark McCullers. "Tom was instrumental in helping establish and grow The Crew legacy and this annual festival is a great way to honor him. We are proud to be able to help raise money for a scholarship fund in Tom's name that will benefit soccer student-athletes at the University of Tampa."
The Crew-Real Salt Lake game and the MetroStars-U.S. U-17 games can be heard on-line at TheCrew.com and MLSNet.com with Crew radio play-by-play voice Jim Henderson calling the games. The clinic is open to youth ages 6-14 and is $50.00 per child, and includes a ticket to the games.
"It is a tremendous honor to host this event and be part of carrying on the legacy of Coach Fitzgerald, who has meant so much to the University of Tampa and our community," said University of Tampa Head Coach Adrian Bush. "This is a special event that truly epitomizes the respect we all have for Coach Fitz and all that he has done to impact soccer in this area."
"Tom Fitzgerald was a very close and dear friend of mine, and it is an honor and privilege to be able to participate in this event," said Real Salt Lake Head Coach John Ellinger. "This is an opportunity to honor him and to show respect to a person who has done so much for the sport of soccer in this country."
Anyone wishing to contribute can send donations to: Tom Fitzgerald Memorial Scholarship Fund, Univ. of Tampa, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd. Box I, Tampa, FL 33606. To date, the scholarship fund has raised over $45,000.
For further information, please contact Adrian Bush at 813-253-6240 ext. 3407 or 3184. If you are interested in attending the Youth Clinic, send an e-mail to Maurice Loregnard at mloregnard@ut.edu. There will also be a photo and autograph session after each game, and prizes will be raffled during halftime of each game. The raffle will include various autographed items and soccer memorabilia.
"Tom Fitzgerald was a member of the American soccer family," said MetroStars President and General Manager Alexi Lalas. "He believed in the sport and worked tirelessly to help his players, on and off the field. It's an honor for the MetroStars to participate in the Tom Fitzgerald Memorial Tournament and pay tribute to a man who meant so much to the game of soccer."
SECOND ANNUAL TOM FITZGERALD MEMORIAL SOCCER FESTIVAL - SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Youth Clinic: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
MetroStars vs. U.S. U-17 National Team: 4 p.m.
Crew vs. Real Salt Lake: 6:30 p.m.
