Soccer Game Benefits Special Needs Children

Under a blue sky with scant traces of cirrus, Chris Andrews jogged off of ’s football field on Friday morning. The temperature hovered in the mid-fifties, and sweat had begun beading on his forehead.

Behind him, a group of Upper St. Clair alumni and their children continued playing soccer. There were shouts, laughter and the occasional intimation of a curse word, stifled after the first consonants.

“It’s a beautiful day,” Andrews said, squinting in the sunlight. “We’ve been out here in all types of weather.”

The casual, charity pick-up game is part of an annual tradition Andrews started in 1998. His daughter, Mara, was born that year with mild cerebral palsy. Looking for a way to unite friends and benefit organizations working with the disability, Andrews approached Upper St. Clair’s soccer coach with an idea.

Each year, Andrews and friends would reach out to alumni and put together a soccer game. Before and after the game, they would "pass around a hat" to collect money for a charity.

The coach approved the idea, and the game has become a post-Thanksgiving tradition. Over the years, the group has given money to several different charities. For the past few, they’ve donated to Children’s Institute, which serves children and families with special needs.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Andrews said.

On Friday, the group collected $225 and about 20 pounds of used soccer equipment. Andrews said more pledges are outstanding.

Since the charity began, the group has only skipped one year, owing to hazardous field conditions created by snow and ice. Andrews said the weather can make a big difference in turnout—they’ve had as few as six players in years past—and in that respect this year was as good as it gets.

While the play wasn’t without its share of hustling and friendly competitiveness—both children and adults could be seen heading the ball and sliding across the turf—the game was largely easy-going. Players came and went. An adult goalie might not dive to stop a kid’s shot.

The game began around 10 a.m. and petered out shortly after noon, when the older players lost steam. Because there is no time clock or goal limit, it is hard to call a clear winner.

The team wearing orange vests finished with the most goals. But according to Andrews, who played on the blue team, no one sweats a loss; it’s more about getting together with friends for a good cause.

Asked how long the tradition would continue, Andrews said “as long as we’re all breathing.”