Lose the Shoes to fight AIDS with soccer

This spring, Lose the Shoes—a student-led campaign to support Grassroot Soccer’s fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa—is sweeping through colleges and universities across the United States, and on May 9, the event is coming to Vassar.

Grassroot Soccer, Inc—a program that provides children living in Africa with after-school programs taught by professional soccer players—was the brainchild of Tommy Clark, a doctor and former professional soccer player. With his organization, Clark aims to use the power of soccer to give African youth the knowledge and support to live HIV-free.

Since its founding in 2002, Grassroots Soccer has evolved from an idea into an internationally recognized vehicle for social and individual change across Africa. Today, the organization educates over 1,500 children each year.

The event—held first by Dartmouth College in 2006—consists of a three versus three barefoot soccer tournament. In its three years, the Loose the Shoes event has occurred over 100 times and has raised nearly $150,000.
 
Elysa Greenberger ’11, a member of the women’s soccer team, coordinated the event to occur at Vassar.

“You have to play barefoot,” said Greenberger, “that’s the rule. You play in teams of five, but only three are allowed on the field at a time.” Greeberger went on to explain that you can register your team online for a fee of $10 per member. Each team, she said, will play each other once, and the top two teams from each bracket will play against the top two from the other bracket, until you are left with the final teams. First, second and third place prizes will be given.

Greenberger has been working on the project since before spring break and has gathered sponsorships from local businesses. She created a sponsorship package that consists of premier, MVP and all-star sponsorships. Premier sponsors of $500 get an exhibit table and a banner at the event in addition to press releases, while MVP and all-star packages are for $250 and $100 respectively.

Businesses also offered to contribute prizes for a raffle at the event; so far, there is a wide array, ranging from Guitar Hero to gift certificates for Chili’s.

After brainstorming with co-organizers Laura Smith ’10 and Jake London ’10, Greenberger added a Best Uniform and a Best Team Name contest, which will, she hopes, lead to some creativity on the part of Vassar students and provide an added incentive to play.

“There will be food vendors at the event, and t-shirts from a local non-profit organization named True Blue will be sold for $10 each,” added Greenberger. Greenberger also arranged for Cousins DJ to play music at the event.

London, current Captain of the men’s soccer team, said he was impressed by how successful organization efforts have been so far. “It didn’t imagine that the tournament would reach the scale it has, and that has been entirely thanks to the interest and involvement of the men’s and women’s soccer teams,” said London.

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