43
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Alumni of the Canfield High School soccer program took the field for some friendly competition during the alumni game at Dove Field on Sept. 1.
Photo
Neighbors | Submitted.The Canfield High School soccer program hosted its semi-annual alumni game at Dove Field with 40 CHS boys and girls soccer team alumni participating in the event, with all proceeds donated to the Michael Thomas Memorial Scholarship fund.
By ABBY SLANKER
The Canfield High School soccer program hosted its semi-annual alumni game at Dove Field on Sept. 1.
Approximately 40 CHS boys and girls soccer team alumni participated in the event, with all proceeds donated to the Michael Thomas Memorial Scholarship fund.
“Donations made will benefit the Michael Thomas Memorial Scholarship. Dr. and Mrs. Thomas set up a scholarship in Michael’s name to benefit a boy and girl soccer player. Michael was a graduate of the class of 2012 - a son, a brother, a teammate and a mentor to many. He was not only a graduate of Canfield, but also a member of the staff for both the boys and girls teams. He was part of the Canfield soccer family and we are honored to remember him,” said Shara Simone, alumni game chairperson.
Simone said she and girls soccer Head Coach Phil Simone comprised the teams to make them as even as possible.
“Phil and I went through all our participants and decided which team to put them on based on their positions when they played for Canfield. That was our strategy to make the teams as even as possible, and who better to do that than Phil, who has been a coach at Canfield for 25 years,” Simone said.
Simone said she appreciated everyone who played in the game and everyone who donated to the scholarship fund.
“I so appreciate everyone who came to play today and those who traveled here to play. The oldest alumni we have here today graduated in 1989 and traveled from Atlanta. We also appreciate all those who donated money to the scholarship fund but couldn’t be here today to play in the game,” Simone said.
Michael Thomas’ parents, Janice and Dr. John Thomas, were on hand to watch the game and greet the players.
“We appreciate everything everyone has done. We want to keep Mike’s memory alive by awarding a scholarship to both a boy player and a girl player. Soccer was Mike’s life since he was 5-years-old. This means so much to us,” said Janice Thomas.
After playing a full game of two 40-minute halves, refereed by Phil Simone, the red team bested the gray team by a score of 3-2.