About 3,400 people are expected to be in Springfield for the 2016 Sport Shake Lake Country Soccer Fall Classic Oct. 15-16.
That’s 158 teams from a six-state area and their family members who will be filling up many of the city’s hotels, restaurants, attractions and retailers. They’re coming from Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska, said tournament administrator Bobbi Box.
“This is the first time we have had a team travel as far as from Omaha!” Box said.
The tournament also is the first Lake Country Soccer event sponsored by Sport Shake, chocolate and vanilla milkshakes filled with nutritional benefits that enhance an athlete’s recovery following practice or competition.
John Markey, Lake Country Soccer executive director, said the sponsorship is a good partnership for both organizations.
“At Lake Country, we are excited about this partnership and feel it is a natural fit due to Sport Shake's support of soccer and the value Sport Shake brings to the athletes as a great tasting recovery drink,” Markey said.
The competitions will take place from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 15 and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 16 at Lake Country Soccer, 2334 E. Pythian St. Admission is free for spectators.
Lake Country Soccer was founded in 1983 and is a 55+ acre facility with 20 outdoor fields (seven of which are lighted) and an indoor facility (two fields) serving close to 2,800 registered youth players and nearly 120,000 facility visits annually by players, coaches and fans.
Lake Country Soccer is a dynamic sport specific driven organization serving all of Southwest Missouri and hosts programs, activities, events, leagues and tournaments from ages 3 through adult.
The Lake Country Soccer family consists of supporters who have been involved with the organization since its inception. Lake Country Soccer is a positive influence on the local economy and an established friend in the community. Lake Country Soccer hosts leagues and tournaments for youth and adults, indoors and outdoors virtually year round.
For more information, call 417-862-3211 or visit http://lakecountrysoccer.org/tournaments-1/fall-classic.
This is one of many amateur sports events brought to Springfield with assistance from the Springfield Sports Commission and the Convention & Visitors Bureau, nonprofit organizations dedicated to boosting the local economy through growth in travel and tourism. Learn more at www.SpringfieldMOSports.org or www.SpringfieldMO.org or by calling 417-881-5300.
