It’s time to kick back and get ready for some football … Well, at least they call it football in Europe. The University of Massachusetts will host the latest installment of what has become a noted event on the spring calendar, the Supercuts SoccerFest, held at McGuirk Stadium on May 1.

Each spring semester, a new class of sport management students is accepted into the intensive six-credit sport event management class, which manages a 100-team soccer festival. This year, the class is composed of four graduate students, 20 undergrads and more than 230 volunteers – the majority of whom are UMass students.

The core 24 students work within six departments: finance, sponsorship, marketing, volunteer management, registration/hospitality and tournament operations. The class meets for two hours every Tuesday and Thursday, along with holding frequent departmental meetings.

In its eighth year, the class feels it is poised to score big with its version of SoccerFest.

Senior Lauren Hambidge, a senior from the operations department, echoed this sentiment, stating that the group has been brainstorming and believes it now has the tools it needs to put on a successful SoccerFest.

“We have studied the past SoccerFest events and solved problems doggedly over the last three months, with the intent of putting on the best event in history, and collectively, we feel that this is well within reach,” she said.

If soccer doesn’t get you your kicks, SoccerFest has plenty of other entertaining diversions. The event has become something of a local tradition through attempting to craft a vivacious ambiance, with live music and food transcending the event’s soccer roots. 

“We really try to create a spectacle; an event that no one in their right mind would want to miss, whether they play soccer or not,” said Ben Rosenbaum, who is a senior in the sponsorship department.

“This year, we’re bringing a lot of new and exciting things that no SoccerFest has ever offered before,” explained Rosenbaum. “We have Nike coming to trial their new ID training technology, not to mention Hits 94.3 is going to be there.”

SoccerFest is funded in large by its sponsors, and the devoted work of the class’ sponsorship department, which has posted the second-highest dollar amount in the class’ history during a down economy, ensuring the sustainability of the event. This year’s major sponsors are Supercuts, Coca-Cola, Country Nissan, Cliff Bar, Off the Wall Games and Hits 94.3.

One of the biggest growth points communicated by the class was its new charitable efforts, which the class hopes will add another dynamic to the festival. Last year marked the first year of a partnership with the Amherst Survival Center, which supports the health and well-being of residents of Franklin and Hampshire counties with a variety of programs designed to help people meet their basic living needs. 

SoccerFest will feature a dunk tank with various “local celebrities,” where any donation will provide three throws, with proceeds going to the Amherst Survival Center.

“We’re delighted that SoccerFest has chosen to continue its relationship with and support of the Amherst Survival Center,” said Cheryl Zoll, the center’s executive director.

Former UMass soccer coach Ken Banda’s Banda Bola Sports Foundation for children, which operates in Banda’s home village of Chituka, Malawi, will also look to win big from SoccerFest. The charity is a small privately-run organization which collects donations of used and new sports equipment, school supplies, health products and clothing. 

“It is our intention as a class to assist in the delivering of these goods back to Chituka village by donating 10 percent of registration fees to the Banda Bola Sports Foundation, as well as any donations collected the day of the event,” said Matt Dion, a senior in the marketing department.  “This is a great opportunity to help others halfway across the world, and all through a student-run grassroots festival.”

—Collegian News Staff

It’s time to kick back and get ready for some football … Well, at least they call it football in Europe. The University of Massachusetts will host the latest installment of what has become a noted event on the spring calendar, the Supercuts SoccerFest, held at McGuirk Stadium on May 1.

Each spring semester, a new class of sport management students is accepted into the intensive six-credit sport event management class, which manages a 100-team soccer festival. This year, the class is composed of four graduate students, 20 undergrads and more than 230 volunteers – the majority of whom are UMass students.

The core 24 students work within six departments: finance, sponsorship, marketing, volunteer management, registration/hospitality and tournament operations. The class meets for two hours every Tuesday and Thursday, along with holding frequent departmental meetings.

In its eighth year, the class feels it is poised to score big with its version of SoccerFest.

Senior Lauren Hambidge, a senior from the operations department, echoed this sentiment, stating that the group has been brainstorming and believes it now has the tools it needs to put on a successful SoccerFest.

“We have studied the past SoccerFest events and solved problems doggedly over the last three months, with the intent of putting on the best event in history, and collectively, we feel that this is well within reach,” she said.

If soccer doesn’t get you your kicks, SoccerFest has plenty of other entertaining diversions. The event has become something of a local tradition through attempting to craft a vivacious ambiance, with live music and food transcending the event’s soccer roots. 

“We really try to create a spectacle; an event that no one in their right mind would want to miss, whether they play soccer or not,” said Ben Rosenbaum, who is a senior in the sponsorship department.

“This year, we’re bringing a lot of new and exciting things that no SoccerFest has ever offered before,” explained Rosenbaum. “We have Nike coming to trial their new ID training technology, not to mention Hits 94.3 is going to be there.”

SoccerFest is funded in large by its sponsors, and the devoted work of the class’ sponsorship department, which has posted the second-highest dollar amount in the class’ history during a down economy, ensuring the sustainability of the event. This year’s major sponsors are Supercuts, Coca-Cola, Country Nissan, Cliff Bar, Off the Wall Games and Hits 94.3.

One of the biggest growth points communicated by the class was its new charitable efforts, which the class hopes will add another dynamic to the festival. Last year marked the first year of a partnership with the Amherst Survival Center, which supports the health and well-being of residents of Franklin and Hampshire counties with a variety of programs designed to help people meet their basic living needs. 

SoccerFest will feature a dunk tank with various “local celebrities,” where any donation will provide three throws, with proceeds going to the Amherst Survival Center.

“We’re delighted that SoccerFest has chosen to continue its relationship with and support of the Amherst Survival Center,” said Cheryl Zoll, the center’s executive director.

Former UMass soccer coach Ken Banda’s Banda Bola Sports Foundation for children, which operates in Banda’s home village of Chituka, Malawi, will also look to win big from SoccerFest. The charity is a small privately-run organization which collects donations of used and new sports equipment, school supplies, health products and clothing. 

“It is our intention as a class to assist in the delivering of these goods back to Chituka village by donating 10 percent of registration fees to the Banda Bola Sports Foundation, as well as any donations collected the day of the event,” said Matt Dion, a senior in the marketing department.  “This is a great opportunity to help others halfway across the world, and all through a student-run grassroots festival.”

—Collegian News Staff