ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 26, 1997 TAG: 9702260038
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
TYPE: COMMUNITY SPORTS
SOURCE: CHRIS LANG SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
The Southwest Virginia Soccer Association has found a way for the mothers of children playing youth soccer to have fun while their kids are at play.
The SWVSA is accepting registration for a "Soccer Mom" league that will will run from April through June 1.
Lynn Croy, president of the Youth Recreational League, is heading up the operation and is optimistic that the league will be a success.
"Right now, we've got 30-35 moms that have projected an interest in the league," Croy said.
So far, the average age of the women registered to the league is 38, with a blend of women who have played soccer before and women who are new to the game.
"It think it will be really fun," Croy said. "There's no stress of real competitive play. Plus, we thought the kids would get a real kick out of it."
The league will play from 5:30 to 6:30 on Fridays. Depending on how many women show up on a given night, the league will be divided up into two or four teams. The teams will practice together and separate into the teams for scrimmages.
"If 30 or 40 moms show up, we'll split into four teams," Croy said. "If just 20 show up, we'll have two. We'll just have to see. Moms can be very unpredictable."
Virginia Tech assistant women's soccer coach Anne Brennan volunteered to coach the league.
Any mothers interested in registering for the league must contact Croy at 552-0444. Croy asks that moms leave an address and she will send a registration form through the mail. Registration continues through Saturday.
On Feb. 18, the SWVSA reached an agreement with the town of Blacksburg to let the association use four public fields for league play.
In addition to using the fields at the town's four elementary schools, Blacksburg Middle School and Blacksburg High School, the association will be able to use the four public fields as well. The four fields are the Kipps Field, the Shenandoah Field, the Giles Field and the Nellies Cave Field.
The town will receive $6,000 per year from the local soccer organizations - including the New River Soccer Club and the Youth Rec League - for use of the fields.
"This gives us a little presence in the town," Croy said. "It gives us a little clout to show that soccer is here to stay in Blacksburg."
It has taken nearly five years to get an official agreement with the town, Croy said.
The SWVSA fields nearly 1,200 players from kindergarten to age 18, Croy said and is helped run by nearly 120 volunteers.
"It's a big machine run by an awful lot of volunteers," Croy said.
Basketball Reunion
The Shawsville High School Booster Club held the sixth annual Shawsville Alumni Basketball game last Saturday.
The event was divided into three separate games. The first game was for alumni who graduated before 1974, the second for 1975-85 graduates, and the third game was for 1986-96 graduates.
According to booster Tony Graham, the event drew 50 players and about 225 fans.
"It's the best turnout we've had as far as fund raising goes," Graham said.
The game drew graduates from as far back as the class of 1964 to four members of the recently graduated 1996 class.
Fred Horeis, the Shawnees boys basketball coach, was instrumental in helping organize the players and the games, Graham said.
"As long as we have good turnout and good interest, we'll continue to have the game," Graham said.
If you have an idea for a story or note about recreational sports, call Chris Lang at 381-1664 in Montgomery County or Radford or (800) 346-1234, extension 664 elsewhere or fax to 381-1656.
LENGTH: Medium: 77 linesby CNB