Leading soccer publication continues support of Special Olympics with raffle.
Philadelphia, Pa.–Jan. 22, 1996–Soccer America, the nation’s premier soccer publication, brought together the biggest names in soccer Jan. 20 to raise more then $4800 for Special Olympics at the Soccer America Superstar Jersey Raffle. The funds will benefit Special Olympics International’s (SOI) worldwide soccer program and the local Philadelphia Special Olympics program.
Ruud Gullit, Alexi Lalas, David Ginola and John Harkes were just a few of the soccer stars who contributed autographed jerseys for the event, which took place as part of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) annual convention. Fourteen shirts were raffled off.
Soccer America founder and chair Clay Berling was on hand to present the check to SOI, accepted by Philadelphia Special Olympics director Don White. “With recent events such as the Special Olympics Unified World Football Exhibition, Special Olympics has made great strides globally with its soccer program,” said Bernie Fagan, SOI soccer director.
“But it could not continue to do so without events such as the Soccer America Superstar Jersey Raffle. Special Olympics soccer players from all over the world salute Soccer America and the NSCAA for their support.” In honor of Soccer America’s 25th anniversary, Berling also presented a grand prize of a 25-year subscription to Soccer America, the nation’s leading soccer publication since 1971.
This marked the fifth consecutive Soccer America Superstar Jersey Raffle, now an annual staple of the NSCAA convention. The NSCAA is a regular contributor to Special Olympics soccer.
Special Olympics is a year-round program of sports training and competition for individuals with mental retardation. This past summer, more than 7,000 athletes from around the world gathered in New Haven, Conn. to participate in the 1995 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
Nearly 1 million Special Olympics athletes compete in 23 official sports from more then 130 countries and 54 U.S. chapters. Approximately 50,000 Special Olympics athletes compete in soccer worldwide, including more then 30,000 in the United States.