2006, July News Article

Celtics Sports Foundation Celebrates the 25 Year Anniversary of the St. Charles Celtics Soccer Club with Style

The St. Charles Celtics Soccer Club, now under the umbrella of the Celtics Sports Foundation, celebrated their 25th anniversary on July 22, 2006 and what a wonderful event it was! The weather was perfect and the entire day splendid. Over 300 St. Charles Celtics players, coaches, family members and friends participated, volunteered and enjoyed a beautiful day of soccer on the Celtics soccer field at Campton Hills Park. In addition, the St. Charles Celtics officially announced their association with the St. Charles Park District. The Kane County Chronicle covered the event in the day’s paper.

While the celebration didn’t officially begin until noon, Celtics Volunteers were hard at work much earlier, demonstrating their dedication to the club. At sunrise, the Manski family arrived in their cargo truck, expertly unloaded and toted bundles of nylon, stakes and generator across the damp, morning grass. An hour later, the kids’ favorite moon-walk event was up and ready for bouncing. Karsten and Kathy Goettel showed up next, setting up their large, family-sized tent (and, as I found out later, tested out the moon-walk by the dawn’s early light!). Soon after that, Additional volunteers arrived: (Shapour and Armand Arami, Karsten and Kathy Goettel, Paul and Sam Carpenter, Gary Cole, Randy Kula, Clint Hull and sons, Rob Arns and family, Dr. Brian Babka, John Flynn, Colm Headley, Jonathon Koepke, Paul Lencioni, John Meseke, Dominick Muzi, Dr. John Mytych, David Peck, Dave Siembieda, Walter and Andy Slenn, Mike Swaim, Brian Swindle and sons, Jose Urzagaste, and Dave Young).

They were the operational team that did everything from set-up to serving to clean up. Other Celtics volunteers like Mark Neville ran the children’s soccer activities, getting the kids involved in soccer games and skills contests. Young ones from three to 11 were split into teams and showed their stuff for mom, dad and friends. A special thanks to long time Celtics member Roland Franklin’s daughter, Sarah, who spent many hours snapping spontaneous pictures of the day’s activities.  

On the big field, the father/son/daughter games started at noon. Celtics volunteers, George Held, Bruce Rasmussen and Matt Sterling captained the teams consisting of Celtics family members and players. The parents appreciate they could actually play soccer on the same field with their child. There is something special about these kinds of games. Fathers demonstrated to their children how the game should be played and enjoyed the fun of playing with them as well.

Next came the big boys, the adult game with teams consisting of alumni and current Celtics members. Founding members like Jim Heilman and long time players, Andre Bukowski, Albert Przybylski, Patric LeBoulanger and George Prieto came back to St. Charles just for this day. Somebody came up with the sobering fact there was over 1,000 years of cumulative age on the field during this game!  But with those 1,000 years come much more than a 1,000 memories of competition and friendship. And that is what the whole day was about.

A break was taken and we all gathered under the big tent. The Celtics leadership team introduced themselves to the crowd, explained the goals of the newly reorganized club and then began the fun of the raffle. Donors from all over contributed soccer balls and shin guards, two-wheeled skateboards, Celtics apparel, savings bonds, haircuts, restaurant gift certificates and more. After that, the kids went back to the moon-walk, Campton Splash Park or ate their box lunches and snow-cones. The adults settled into watching the highlight of the day: Celtics over 30 “A” team playing arch rival Slavia, from The Northwest Suburban Soccer League. Captain David Rout’s team played a great match. Anouar Shili scored on a skillful chip over the goalie. Later, Slavia knocked in a penalty kick and a 1-1 tie resulted as the sun slowly sank behind gathering clouds.

As we finished our day celebration, the last tent was rolled up and it was now time for the adults to head over to the Dog & Duck Inn for a Celtics-only party in the private bar above the pub. Appetizers and open bar where provided by the club in their family-room style bar area, complete with fireplace and couches. A surprise birthday song was sung for Patrick Mud, complete with our Celtic bagpiper providing the music. Another raffle was held; friends and family mingled and reminisced about old times and the day’s events.

Keeping with the Celtics philosophy, “growing soccer through teamwork”, all in all, it was a very good day. We look forward to the next 25 years and the future success of the Celtics Sports Foundation. To see additional photos of the day’s events, click on the photos button and select a category from the drop down menu.

—Anders Kauserud
Celtics Leadership Team

Click here to download a copy of the Celtics Sports Foundation 25 Year Anniversary newsletter.

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