U.S. Soccer, the National Soccer Hall of Fame and the Kansas City Wizards announced this week that the oldest team trophy in U.S. sports history, the Dewar Challenge Trophy, will be in Kansas City beginning Friday, Sept. 17. The trophy will be in Kansas City in advance of the 2004 U.S. Open Cup championship game being played on Wednesday, Sept. 22 at Arrowhead Stadium between the Wizards and the Chicago Fire. The 'Dewar Cup,' as it is sometimes called, is the traditional trophy given to the winner of the annual U.S. Open Cup tournament dating back to 1914.
"The Wizards are very excited to host the first National Championship game in the history of Arrowhead Stadium," said Wizard General Manager Curt Johnson. "Having this magnificent trophy, a truly unique piece of American cultural history, here for our fans to see makes the build up to this game very special. I know Wizards fans will be thrilled to get their picture taken with the trophy."
The Dewar Trophy will arrive in Kansas City, escorted by U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame Director of Communications, Jack Huckel, on Friday, Sept. 17. The trophy will be on display at several events around the city, including the "Arrowhead Fan Fest" at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 17 and 18, the Wizards game against the Colorado Rapids at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 18 and the Kansas City Chiefs game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 19. The trophy will remain in Kansas City for the Open Cup Final on Sept. 22.</p>
"The mission of the National Soccer Hall of Fame is truly embodied by this beautiful trophy. It celebrates the long suppressed history of the game; it honors the Hall of Famers who won and lost in past Open Cup tournaments; and it serves to inspire the youth to one day hold it as champions," said Huckel. "In addition, at almost 80 pounds and over 3 feet tall, it's a very imposing art treasure."
"The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is the premier domestic championship for U.S. Soccer," Jim Moorhouse, U.S. Soccer Director of Communications, said. "The Dewar Challenge Trophy celebrates the long history of U.S. Soccer and its display is important in building on the great story of soccer in America."
A complete schedule of events and appearances for the Dewar Trophy can be found on the Wizards website at www.kcwizards.com. For more information on the Dewar Trophy tour of Kansas City contact Justin Gorman or Staci Schottman in the Wizards Public Relations Department at 816-920-9300.
Tickets for the U.S. Open Cup Final are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster or the Wizards Box Office. Lower Level Sideline seating is available for $18 for adults and $13 for youth (15 and under). Club Level seating is $22 for adults and $16 for youths. There will be no endline general admission seating available. Zard Card holders can purchase $5 seats for themselves and each accompanying family member with reserved seating in Sections 104 and 133 on the North side of the stadium.
The Open Cup Final is designated as "Special Game C" for Wizards season ticket holders. Each "Special Game C" ticket will admit one person into the Stadium and tickets can be used directly at the Gate without the need to exchange the ticket. All unused Season Tickets and Ticket Vouchers can be exchanged at the Wizards Box Office for best available seating. For more ticket information, please call the Wizards office at 816-920-9300.
About the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame
Located in Oneonta, NY, the National Soccer Hall of Fame opened a new 30,000 square foot, state-of-the-art museum in 1999. The Hall of Fame tells the story of soccer in America through artifacts, photographs, and video clips. The new Hall features an extensive interactive, youth oriented Kicks Zone where visitors have fun kicking, heading and playing computer trivia stations and video soccer games.
The VideoWall portrays some of the greatest moments and the greatest goals in history as well as live soccer action with World Cup, MLS, US Soccer and WUSA matches. Unique and rare artifacts on exhibit range from the world's oldest soccer ball to the Women's World Cup won by the USA in 1999, Pele's and Mia Hamm's uniforms, Kristine Lilly's golden shoes, NASL championship rings, the original MLS championship trophy, WUSA gallery - it's all at the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
In addition to the interactive Museum, the National Soccer Hall of Fame complex boasts the Kicks Hall of Fame Museum Store, a research library, four world-class soccer fields and office/meeting facilities. The Hall plans to add a stadium, an indoor soccer arena and housing facilities in the future.
The mission of the National Soccer Hall of Fame is to celebrate the history, honor the heroes, inspire the youth and preserve the legacy of soccer in the United States. The National Soccer Hall of Fame is open every day of the year, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for students, $6.50 for children 6 or older and senior citizens. Children 5 and under are free.
