Nearly 135 players took part in the second annual University of Oregon World Cup during the weekend.
The tournament, organized by a group of sports business and marketing majors, was held to benefit and promote awareness of Parkinson’s Disease. The group received an estimated $1,500 this year, according to tournament director Eric Richter.
Richter said most of the money is raised through scholarships and player fees, which were $9 a person this year.
According to the UOWC tournament pamphlet, “All profits from the event are donated to The Parkinson Foundation in honor of Jim Warsaw, founder of the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center, who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.”
Richter and his group came up with the idea when they were living together in the residence halls last year. They wanted to organize an event not only for them to gain experience but to raise money for a good cause. Because most of the people in the group are sophomores, Richter believes the tournament will grow each year and hopefully leave a legacy at the University.
“Hopefully by the time we leave it’s something that’s not only well-known on campus and in Eugene, but the state as well,” Richter said.
Eight teams participated in the tournament, which was held Saturday and Sunday on the recreational turf fields. Most of the teams competed in last year’s inaugural tournament, including defending-champion Southwestern Community College, which defeated Neo-Rome 3-0 to take home the title this year as well.
“We thought we’d come in and reclaim our title,” a Southwestern player said. “We usually come down and let recruits play to see how they’re going to measure up.”
Six of the teams consisted of University students and one adult city league team which was composed of community members, some of whom are also faculty at the University.
Richter said the group chose soccer because of its popularity on campus.
“You come out here any night of the week, there’s kids always playing together,” Richter said. “There seemed to be a good enough demand and what we really want to do is promote the diversity with it also. I mean, it is the World Cup.”
The games’ quality of play has also increased since last year, according to tournament coordinator Taylor Allen.
“It’s definitely better than last year’s,” Allen said. “The games have been pretty competitive.”
Neo-Rome team member Chris Chantland said he and his former soccer teammates compete because it’s fun getting back together with old friends.
“It’s good camaraderie,” Chantland said. “Everyone out here loves soccer.”
Chantland said it was a good way to meet other people on campus who share the same passion for soccer, and it’s for a good cause.
“I’m glad it’s doing something for the disease,” Chantland said. “It’s not just something that’s made for fun.”
Richter said he hopes to double the amount of teams playing next year and raise the level of awareness among students in the residence halls.
Richter said he had more teams interested than last year and was forced to admit teams on a first-come, first-served basis. The University club team and Korean Student Association had a one-game playoff for the final spot in the tournament.