Celebrating Tradition and Tribute: Arendell Parrott Academy's Soccer Season Opener
When the floodlights blaze to life on the soccer field of Arendell Parrott Academy (APA) on the 10th of August, it won't be just another match unfolding. It's a time-honored tradition, a heartfelt tribute, and the dawn of a new season rolled into one. At 6:30 pm sharp, the varsity soccer team will gear up to host the 2nd annual Alumni Game, a unique event imbued with emotion and excitement, dedicated to the cherished memory of 2018 alum Trey Kuhn.
Incepted in 1997 by then-coach Steve Logan, the tradition of the Alumni Game is a callback to the players of yesteryears, inviting them to return each year and challenge the current varsity team on their home turf. Coach Shivar Person extended the lineage of this tradition, which has since been shepherded by current head coach, Henry Piner. As the 26th iteration of this revered event is about to commence, it also marks the second instance of dedicating the game to Trey Kuhn, a young life lost to Glioblastoma in 2022.
Coach Piner, overseeing the men's soccer team, had this to say about the upcoming match: “It’s been a long-standing tradition to kick off the season by bringing back the alumni who paved the way for our current players to take us into the upcoming season. It allows the APA Family to stay connected across decades while playing the game that bonds us together. The alumni provide a competitive check for our boys and offer a glimpse into the fall.”
In this special match that commences at APA's grounds at 6:30 pm, all proceeds and donations collected will be channelled towards the Trey Kuhn Memorial Scholarship. Created as a lasting tribute to Trey, this scholarship provides a beacon of hope and opportunity for future generations at APA.
Join us on August 10th for this remarkable event, a showcase of spirited competition, an homage to our past, and a kick-start to another exciting soccer season. At the core, it's not merely about the beautiful game, but also about honoring the enduring spirit of brave young souls like Trey Kuhn and fostering the camaraderie that runs deep within the APA family.