Hoover High, Green High Soccer Teams Host Kick for the Cure Event

The Green High School and Hoover High soccer teams aren't solely competitors on Sept. 29. 

They're also comrades. 

The two teams, for the second year in a row, will join forces to raise money for cancer research as well as raise awareness in their communities at the fifth annual Kick for the Cure event.

Green High School has hosted the event for the past five years, said Teresa Somody, treasurer with the North Canton Soccer Booster Club and co-chair of the Kick for the Cure. The event, which takes place from 1 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at Green Memorial Stadium, benefits the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Stewarts Caring Place in Akron.

"The one thing we really try to instill in not only our children but our parents is that this is a good way for kids to raise funds and understand we’re not just raising funds for them; we’re raising funds for people who are truly in need," Somody said.

"This is a great way to get the community involved and do something in a positive fashion.”

The event has a personal meaning for those who know the Green High girls soccer coach, Jeff Basone. The event began five years ago when the Green High girls soccer team and the Green Youth Soccer players joined to honor Basone’s wife, Shawn, as she fought her battle with cancer.

The girls' soccer game starts at 5 p.m. that day, while the boys' starts at 7 p.m. Somody said Hoover High School players forfeited their home field advantage to allow the event to take place at Green again this year. (Their games were regularly scheduled as away last year.)

"Prior to the game we have the players escorted onto the field by either a survivor or someone who has a family member who’s passed away … and we do a balloon release," she said.

And there's no shortage of things to do that day. Those attending Kick for the Cure can participate in the dunk tank, corn hole games and face painting.

"There's literally activity all day long," Somody said.

The event raised about $12,000 last year, when just the girls' teams faced off on the field, and Somody said she hopes this year's Kick for the Cure can far surpass last year's.

Both teams sold T-shirts (see the photos attached to this update) and raffle tickets, including tickets for an iPad 3. They even created their own raffle baskets, which include themes for the Vikings, Green High School Bulldogs, "pamper yourself," and "date night," to name a few.

"And I have to give kudos to Green because their athletic director is donating every dollar from the admissions door, all those monies, for this particular event," Somody said.

Volunteers are needed to help with the day's activities in shifts of one and a half hours to two hours. If you're interested in volunteering, contact Somody at teresasomody31@gmail.com.