by Max Rios | staff writer
The Ian Fincke Foundation’s 6th Annual Fincke Cup is set for March 3. The Fincke Cup is a soccer match between Johnson and Reagan to raise awareness for helmet safety. Ian Fincke was a student of both Reagan and Johnson that passed away in 2008 due to brain swelling resulting from a skateboarding accident.
Finckes’ parents started the Ian Fincke Foundation to raise awareness about helmet safety and have started many events such as the Fincke Cup as well as a children’s soccer clinic.
“Well, every year the Finckes come to us to participate in not only the game but the volunteering at the little clinic thing that we do for the kids and it’s just a good way to…help out the kids,” senior Emily Rodriguez said.
The Children’s Clinic is an event to teach kids who don’t have coaches or that don’t know that much about soccer, more about the sport. Local high schools and colleges will send out players to teach the kids to play and to learn different techniques. This event was supposed to be hosted on March 1 but was canceled due to bad weather and will be hosted on another date. More information can be found on the Ian Fincke Foundation’s website.
“There are kids that don’t really have coaches, there will be that don’t know that much about soccer. We’ll go in and do fun drill with them and do more of a soccer based thing and teach them more than the parent could,” Rodriguez said.
The Fincke Cup is an annual competition is held between Reagan and Johnson to raise awareness for Ian Fincke. Ian Fincke not only attended both Johnson and Reagan, but also was a part of both soccer teams.
“I think it’s really cool how Ian went to Reagan and Johnson. It’s a good way to raise awareness and kind of honor him but I think it’s really fun just to play around with the kids,” Rodriguez said.
Annually Held Events:
Beefy’s Backyard Fundraiser
Fincke Cup Soccer Clinic – March 1
Annual Fincke Cup Tuesday – March 3 beginning at 5PM @ Blossom Athletic Center