Men's soccer celebrates history with alumni weekend

By David Horn

Daily Sports Writer

"In this great future you can't forget your past," Bob Marley once crooned.

Michigan men's soccer coach Steve Burns suggested that Marley's words make for an appropriate quote in regard to the soccer program's alumni weekend.

Although the varsity team is still playing in its inaugural year, its growth began long ago. Soccer at the University has been a long and proud tradition that dates back to 1921, when the club was founded. At the time, it was the only soccer club in the state of Michigan. The team has existed continually, in some form, since 1948.

This past weekend, alumni old and new returned to Ann Arbor for the annual team reunion. The alums laced up their cleats for a pick up game Friday evening to kick things off. Saturday morning the current varsity team faced off against club team alumni.

Sunday morning the "old-timers game" pitted alumni who graduated during odd-years against the even-year grads.

"It was a great experience," senior varsity goalie and club alumnus Albert Geldres said. "It was great having all the guys back."

For the varsity team, the weekend exhibition came amidst a hectic regular season schedule. A week after a 2-1 overtime loss to No. 2 Penn State, and a week before a trip to Bloomington to challenge defending national champion Indiana, the exhibition weekend was a welcome chance to have fun and play in a more relaxed atmosphere.

"It's such a fun game," senior varsity captain and club alumnus Will Purdy said. "All our games are so intense. The alums come out intense, but it's a nice break."

The varsity team wanted to recognize the efforts of club players of the past - the struggle for varsity status is as old as the soccer program itself.

"These alums are in a position to help out the varsity program," Burns said. "They should feel a sense of ownership."

Saturday's game saw the varsity team victorious over the recent graduates, including their coach.

"How many times do you get to play against your coach in a meaningful game?" Burns said.

Burns, an '89 graduate, scored the lone goal for the alumni.

This weekend was particularly meaningful, as it was the first alumni weekend since the team was granted varsity status.

A look back at a article in The Michigan Daily published on October 17, 1953 is a telling description of how long a road it has been, and how far the team has come.

"An outstanding example of this lack of equipment is exemplified by observations made at last Saturday's Michigan-Indiana contest here in Ann Arbor.

"Michigan's uniforms were mainly plain purple jerseys borrowed from the coaching staff of the football squad.

"Their socks were many hues, being supplied by the players themselves and only a few had the proper shin guards. Many resorted to stuffing towels in their socks for this purpose, and some didn't even do that. As a result, a serious injury occurred when Michigan's Kuo Chew Quon received a kick in the shin, and suffered a severe laceration."

This weekend was one of pride and rememberence for the men's soccer team.

"One of the old guys pulled me aside as we were walking off the field," Purdy said. "He told me, 'don't ever forget about the club.'"

DANA LINNANE/Daily

The Wolverines had the weekend off from competition. They welcomed back alumni new and old and defeated them, 4-1, in a Saturday exhibition.