Archives for October 2021

Anyone seen our new jerseys, I’ve heard they’re pretty cool? If you had, let me know what they look like because WE STILL are waiting on United Sports to deliver them. With that being said, we’ve been given another date for delivery, October 21^st, and we know what happened with the last one … so I’m doing my best to keep my composure here … All items were ordered on time and in line with the past seasons, however, this amazing backlog has us where we are at.

Now, we contemplated a few options here: one, reschedule pictures, yet again, in light of our uniform quandary, or two move forward with pictures for October 9^th. Given what a reschedule would entail, and the availability of our photographer, we have decided to move forward with pictures with or WITHOUT new uni’s. Please click HERE for the schedule and HERE for the photo volunteer schedule.

Please beg, borrow, and you know … A jersey from someone in the spring for pictures if you’d like to ensure you have one for pictures. Last spring’s jerseys are identical to the fall. In the case of not knowing or having someone to borrow from, please improvise as best you can.

In light of the delay (and keeping our composure), I am expecting a sizable discount on the uni’s we’ve ordered. This discount, and or refund, would trickle to you as well. When we know what that will be, we will let you know. But better believe recompense will be made. Your patience and understanding have been very appreciative by us, sincerely. We are not the only league dealing with this same issue, so we are not alone.

In a much brighter set of news, we are the recipient of our second financial contribution made by SWM Rec’s own Brittany Dunham. Not only does she provide her time and effort free of charge in her service to the league, she is also donating any and all income received through this fund raiser offered through Pink Zebra. Please buy as much product as you can by clicking HERE. Products offered through this most kind gesture can be found HERE.

Finally, we are approaching the runway of our final destination of October 30^th. We will have a Coaches Appreciation event for all of those who registered to Coach, an end of season volunteer event, that will help those whom have not had a chance to volunteer and would like to, that will go to tidying up the field in preparation for winter. More details on these to come.

As always, I love you and very much appreciate you being with us this season.

Jefferson

Fall Season Highlight: To all of those volunteers that have showed out, willing to serve, our season is not possible without you. Special thanks to John Papanek for lining the fields this week. Way to step up and deliver!

Our area has recently gotten some national recognition, by way of ESPN and WMYSA (which we are associated with). A contact of ours, Chris Keenan, has the privilege of doing the color commentary for NCAA College soccer games on ESPN3 and ESPNU.

In the ESPN zoom strategy sessions this past week, with the play by play and producers, he was asked about how this area seems unusually good at soccer.

Not only did our area have the 2021 U18 USYSA National Championship but also in the next two ESPN games they broadcast will feature 10 local players, which is unusual.  8 WMU players plus Mikey Ketteman Oakland U (Portage Central) and Luke Morrell MSU (Plainwell). 

After Chris Keenan explained our regional soccer structure, they agreed that one topic of discussion is an explanation of how Southwest Michigan is a soccer area and how AYSO, WMYSA league and Clubs have played a big role in the promotion and execution of the sport and how this ultimately built the foundation and structure for kids to learn, grow, build confidence and ultimately have success. 

Some of these kids are finding success on the pitch at a higher level …. but the point must be made that the child’s success maybe away from the pitch, but it was the confidence they gained from playing on a team with their friends!  Very proud to be a part of our soccer community and thank you to the WMYSA Board and all the Volunteers who make this possible for the kids in our community.

If interested the TV icon next to the games will lead you to the broadcast.
https://wmubroncos.com/sports/mens-soccer/schedule/2021

October 6 at 5pm Oakland @ WMU
October 13 at 4pm vs Michigan State University @ WMU

If interested in attending WMU Soccer Complex 4502 Campus Dr Kalamazoo MI 49008
WMU Local players:

#3 Brennan Creek                        Hackett
#5 Jaylen Shannon                      St Joseph
#6 Dylan Sing                               Lakeshore
#7 Max Keenan                            Hackett
#12 Eron “Roni” Sylejmani        Gull Lake
#13 Connor Burkett                     Mattawan
#20 Levi Crooks                           Portage Northern
#26 Landon Fischer                     Concord (IN)

Yep, we’re great at soccer, now if that only pertained to uniform delivery ..