Headlines for the week of February 26, 2007:
Training Facility Groundbreaking Friday
The Kansas City Wizards, the City of Kansas City, Missouri and the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department are set to commence on a revolutionary partnership with the Friday groundbreaking of a new training facility in Swope Park.
Civic leaders, corporate leaders, Wizards officials and Wizards players will gather at the site in Swope Park at the corner of 63rd and Lewis for a groundbreaking ceremony Friday at 10 a.m.
Speakers will include:
Kay Barnes - KCMO Mayor
Robb Heineman - Kansas City Wizards President
Mark McHenry - KCMO of Parks and Recreation Director
Sandra Doolin Aust - KCMO Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners President
The facility and surrounding soccer fields will provide the most professional environment possible for Kansas City Wizards players. Plans for the facility include over 7,500 square feet of facility space and four soccer fields.
The 7,000 square-foot main structure will house the players, coaching and technical staff and the adjacent 800 square-foot building will serve as a storage shed and turf maintenance area. Some of the features of the main facility include: a locker room, a treatment room, a training room with weights and cardio equipment and a player lounge. The project is set for completion in early June.
Vermes Finished 8th in HOF Voting
Technical Director Peter Vermes finished 8th in voting for the 2007 class of the National Soccer Hall of Fame after receiving votes on 31 percent of ballots cast in results announced Tuesday.
Former U.S. Women's National Team players Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy were elected to the NSHOF and represent the first women-only class. An induction ceremony will be held Sunday, August 26th in Oneonta, NY
This was Vermes' second year on the ballot. He will be eligible for election until 2012.
KCW Present at Womens Life Expo
The Kansas City Wizards, eager to expand their demographic and cater more heavily to the Kansas City female community, will have a booth at the Womens Life Expo held at the Overland Park International Trade Center Friday-Sunday.
Wizards staff members will be on hand to share information about the upcoming season and players will be available at select times for autographs.
The event runs:
Friday 1 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Player appearance times:
Kevin Hartman, Friday 1:30 - 3 p.m.
Kerry Zavagnin, Saturday 2:30 - 4 p.m.
Nick Garcia, Saturday 4 - 5:30 p.m.
From The Cauldron:
All Fans Welcome on Colorado Road Trip
Members of The Cauldron are organizing a road trip to Denver to see the Wizards play the Rapids on Saturday, May 19 at the brand-new Dick's Sporting Goods Park. In addition to the Wizards game itself, they are organizing a match against Rapids supporters as well as pre- and post-game festivities.
Individuals are responsible for their own for travel arrangements, but the Cauldron is working on a group hotel rate and a group ticket rate for the game itself. Please contact Robert Houghton at president@kccauldron.com for more details.
