"THE BUZZ ON THE FIELD"
TOURNAMENT FEEDBACK FROM PARTICIPATING TEAMS
Yes, we got a trophy for Kim! It was pretty exciting, especially after our not very encouraging start on Saturday (but then, I told everyone it was ok to lose games, so I guess that would be my lack of motivational speaker training).
At any rate, our 1-0 win on Saturday morning pulled us through to advance to the semis, where we won 2-1 on beautiful goals from Nelson and Nate. It was a very impressive come-from-behind victory given that we were down 1 goal at halftime. The final was a tough game, but it was just great to be in it (trust me, if you weren't there you don't really want to know any more than that!).
Thanks to everyone who worked with the change of date and played as much as they could--and of course especially to those who stuck it out for 5 games!
Thanks also to the people who didn't know they were actually going to have to play, including Alicia who wound up playing virtually all of the final 2 games and Wolf, who stepped in at goal when needed and did a fantastic job.
I could go on with the list of thank yous, but most importantly I really felt like everyone's flexibility with their time and with positions played is what made the difference when we were short on personnel.
Bill and I were reflecting last night that we could not believe we had both played against, or more happily with, Kim for 12+ years now, and that we would be returning to the field in the spring without her. It's hard to believe! But Kim, it has been wonderful having you as a teammate and we hope you were happy with the results of the weekend and that you had a great time.
Cheers,
Maria Meldrum
Hot Pink Panthers
Wolf
just wanted to say me and my team had a great time this weekend and thanks for putting it together and letting us enter. Also if you could keep me posted on your next coed season cause i think we are interested in entering a team.
Thanks,
Danny O'Neil
Team Atlantic Sun
just wanted to say as always how very much we enjoyed our time at the Hot Dog!! our last game was great and we really played to a tie-- against a team of 20 kids who were almost all about 18!! Fortunately for all, on the very last drive, as time expired, they had the ball popping it around in the box and my son Michael rather bizarrely slapped the ball with his hand, so they got the PK and advanced-- God knows what we would have done for energy if we'd wound up in overtime or worse, won and had to play again!! It was a tribute to what a good time we had that all we could do was laugh afterward!!! Let me know when you want to come down to Bedford-- I think lots of people bike up on the parkway if you're interested in that! turns out that the car that the camper hit was my teammate's-- I had a little premonition of that since that was where we were parked...shame it wasn't my car, it's such a wreck we wouldn't have noticed... Anyhow- we had 3 of four excellent referee crews and 3 of 4 fun teams to play (Code Red was awfully serious about the whole thing) and we'll of course see you up there in November!
Janice Luth
Peak Soccer
Bedford, VA
Hello everyone @ coedfun.org!!
Thanks so much for a great great tournament last week-end!
I was wondering if you have any dates for when the photos from the tournament will arrive online?Have a good one,
Harpa Vilbergsdóttir
Code Red
Maryland
Hats off to all who went on for the afternoon’s games....I don’t think OUR team would have been capable of returning home if we’d played another game!!! We as always had a blast and we’re so proud to have actually gotten to play a fourth game.... the team was pleased to see that we’d played 2 of the top 4 teams and had at least given them a good run! We’ll see everyone in the fall.
Janice Luth
Peak Soccer
Bedford, VA
Wolf & Kimberli
On behalf of our entire team, I would like to thank you both for all your hard work and efforts that went into making this tournament a success. Thank you for giving area teams the opportunity to play outside their normal leagues & test their skills against new opponents. Despite the heat, it was an exceptional weekend of soccer. Please send our thanks to your support crew as well!
Look forward to seeing you in future tournaments!
Sincerley
Derek Broka
Gang Green
Once again, you ran an excellent tournament. Thank you
Edison Aponte
South Riding Sting
South Riding, VA
I wanted to write and thank you for putting together such a great tournament. Definitely worth the trip down from Pennsylvania, even though the drive back after playing 4 games was pretty painful. We all had an excellent time and really enjoyed the level of competition. Hopefully Sweetwater will have the opportunity to come back next year and take home one of those trophies!
Thanks again,
Jen and the rest of the Sweetwater team
Sweetwater
Mechanicsburg, PA
Wolf,
Congrats on running a great tournament yet again. I'm glad to see that you were able to get all the games in. Also, thanks for letting me play with your team. I really enjoyed it.
Thanks,
Jim Tymon (guest player)
Hot Pink Panthers
Fairfax, VA
Just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed the tournament as always! We were a bit closer to the competition this time, though we still only came up with one in the win column... but fear not, we shall return, as long as you keep up the good work. We are trying to get the USSF people to send us info on affiliation, so we hope to see you in November.... when will you be sure about dates? We need lots of advance warning...
Janice Luth
Peak Soccer
Bedford, VA
I just wanted to say we really enjoyed the tournament. I know those of us originally with Team Dayton (all 5 of us) were a little disappointed we couldn't bring our whole team here. I think we would have provided a little more competition then we did. Thankfully, friends in that area helped out at least in providing some players. We'll try and do better next year.
I also wanted to let you know that there is a really large tournament here in Dayton over Memorial Day Weekend called the Warrior Tournament. It is primarily for youth, but they also have men's and women's divisions. It is one of the largest youth tournaments around and one of the few places where there are about 25 soccer fields in one location (soccer heaven). If you have anyone who may be interested in coming to Dayton for that please let me know or have them e-mail me. I can't say Dayton in May is quite as pretty as D.C. in November but it is a pretty good tournament.
Thanks again
Audrey Cyzick
Team Dayton
Dayton, OH
While Saturday's HORRIFIC officiating had me wanting to walk away from the tournament, Sunday pretty much made up for it. Even though we lost 2 out of 3 games on Sunday, including the semifinal to OTL, I really enjoyed Sunday's matches. The officiating was much better and my team and our opponents were all able to enjoy the matches.
Mike Barsky
Voodoo
Springfield, VA
Hello Wolf,
On behalf of the "Our Turn," I would like to thank you for yet another great weekend. The tourney was great and we all had a wonderful time. Except for some minor bumps and broken toe, this "Masters" team did faired well against the young ones. We look forward to another shot at the kids in the spring. Thank you all once again.
Peter Gabriel
Our Turn
Vienna, VA
Zed thanks you for a great tourney. Administratively the tourney was well run. Kudos to the referees for keeping control of the physical play in all our games. (only two minor injuries (sprained ankles).Alan Margarella
Zed
Alexandria, VA
Thanks for the great weekend. Our team (Saxons FC) had a great time even though we didn't do as well as we wished!
Thanks a lot.Craig Steger
Saxons FC
McLean, VA
Kim and Wolf thanks for a great tourney please put me on your mailing list for future tourneys...I fell like a real ass for complaining about the fields at Baron Cameron when our team didn't even advance! Look forward to playing in your tourneys again..thanks again!
Brent Schnupp
Fire and Rescue
Fairfax, VA
Wolf and Kimberli:
Hey! Just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you again for the great time my team had down in Virginia. You always hope a new experience will be fun, but we never expected to be treated so nicely, and play so well...okay, so maybe we were lucky and got a couple of friendly calls from the refs.
Thank you so much for the hospitality you showed to my team. The whole event was well organized, and most importantly, a lot of fun. Just getting into the quarterfinals was a thrill, and to get to the finals was truly special. The winning team, the Lazers, were so good that they should have been in the intermediate division. They ran circles around us.
You and the family did a great job. I have to admit, there was nothing better than signing that paper after winning each game on the road to the final. Once again, thank you for everything, and we look forward to entering more of your tournaments in the future!
See ya,
Ross Castaldo
Castaldo Electric Slides
Oyster Bay, NY
Speaking from a players point of view, I thought this weekends tournament was a success. You all did a terrific job. I know that a lot of work goes into each one of these tournaments and as a player I thank you for all of your time and effort so we can play good soccer and have fun.
Again, thanks for all the work you did for us as players last weekend. Your hard work didn't go unnoticed.
Julie Brubaker
Four Court Jesters
Washington, DC
Hey Wolf,
This was a great tourney, Hot Dog 98. Thank You.
Peter Gabriel
Vienna Inns
Vienna, VA
Wolf & Kim:
Thanks for a great tournament this past weekend!
Dana Kelley
The Brazil Nots
Washington, DC
Kimberli & Wolf,I wanted to take a moment to tell you how much I and my team appreciated you for putting together tournaments. I know that my first reaction was not good, but I do understand some of the things you have to go through to put together such an event. And I did explain to those team members who did not understand. I am sorry if I caused any problems.
Thanks .. Malika Viltz-Baich
Mavericks
Richmond, VA
Hey Wolf
From one (ex)tournament director to another, I appreciate your efforts under the horrible circumstances (which every tournament dreads). I have defended you and the tournament to almost everyone on my team. Most everyone understands.
I know the wrath of your note wasn't directed at my team, but I really feel for you guys stuck in this situation and I thought you should get some positive feedback. We are grateful for your efforts and will be back in your tournaments (at least) next year.
Anyhow, I hope Santa brings you some great presents and some mighty fine weather to put up on a shelf for the next rainy tournament day.
Happy Holidays
Dorothy Miller
Never Enough
Fairfax, VA
Kim and Wolf,
I am so sorry about this turn of events. Lord knows the comments you must be getting.
Sam Anthony
Springfield Nuclear
Arlington, VA
Wolf and Kimberli,Thanks for organizing a fabulous tournament!! We didn't do as well as hoped but, given the weather, we decided that losing the quarterfinals and not having to play 2 more games was not the worst thing that could have happened!
Cheers,
Team Eat Your Greens
Washington, DC
Dear Sir:
I participated Hot Dog 97 this past summer. I had a lot of fun, thank you so much for your hard work. I'm looking forward to next year's tournament. Thank you very very much!
Great Tournament!
John Du
Frederick United
Newark, DE
Thanx for running the tournament this year. Our team has enjoyed it for two years now, and hope to make reasonable showings in subsequent years.
A couple of things to look at:
Goofy idea: rent one of those "Rain Rooms" (sprays a fine water mist in a tent). Quite refreshing, would have helped immensely during the high-90's days that we all enjoyed. A water supply might be tough to work out, but may run a hose from the communal gardens....
Another goofy idea - on mega-hot days (maybe just in the playoffs), split games into thirds or quarters with BRIEF intervals for recuperation. During our section's final both teams were simply dragging it up & down the field - not too pretty to watch, and less so to play in.
I appreciate the efforts entailed in running such a large show. Nothing you can do about weather, field conditions (lack of rain), so on. How about having the finals next year at JCK Stadium?
Happy Fall!
Justin Wilt
Fighting Wiener Dogs
Arlington, VA
Hi Kim & Wolf,
This is reply to your email asking about our feedback. As Wolf knows, I represent the NYC OldStars. Here is our response to your list.
1. Overall tournament organization--> Great; worth the trip from NYC.
2. Location/convenience--> OK.
3. Field quality--> not too bad.
4. Prize raffle--> great prizes (I wanted a DC shirt)
5. Staff behavior--> no problems
6. Schedule--> you may want to reduce the amount of games or the duration of the game to accommodate the increased interest. Maybe you should have a coed division for over 30 men mixed with open age women for us older guys.
7. T-Shirts design--> OK
8. Refreshments--> OK
9. Overall tournament quality--> Very enjoyable; you can count on us to be back next year if there is no conflict with women soccer (Nino & Estu).
With Regards,
Aston Hinds
NYC Old Stars
Bronx, NY
Kimberli & Wolf,
First I would like to congratulate you on a job well on the tournament. We had a very good time. In response to your request for feedback, I offer the following:
1. Overall Tournament - Very Good. The team had a great time and is looking forward to the next tournament.
2. Location - Good. One note, all of your directions that you give to fields are from the Hotel. As we did not stay at the hotel, the directions were a bit confusing. Directions from a landmark or common point, like the Beltway, would be helpful.
3. Referee quality - Good
4. Hotel accommodations - Unknown, we're a local team.
5. Staff Behavior - Great. Everyone was very helpful and upbeat.
6. Schedule - Fair. The only thing that would have made it better is if all of our games were played at the same field.
7. T-Shirt Design. I didn't get a good look. But from experience, multi color heavy weight 50/50 shirts are the best. Have you ever seen what the Washington Rugby Club puts out. They're really nice.
8. Refreshments - I didn't know you had any!
9. Overall Tournament quality - Good.
Hope this helps!
Sincerely,
Michael A. Pleszkoch Jr.
Fanatix Soccer Team
Silver Spring, MD
Here is my evaluation of "Hot Dog 97":
The tournament organization was very good.
The location was also good and parking was plentiful.
The condition of the fields was above average because they were grassy and well cut. Field 3 in Herndon, however, was noticeably convex and not easy to play on.
The referees were very good. The three-man system was a welcome sight.
There was no shade. Is it possible to use tent covers over the benches at every field?
The staff was good, the schedule was good, the sale of refreshments was perfect, and the quality of the tournament was praiseworthy.
The option of kicking in the ball instead of throwing it into play made the games more intense because it led to scoring opportunities, but it penalized the defense for clearing the ball because the kick-ins were theoretically free kicks.
The game times of 30x2 was good. Longer games in the heat are grueling.
Regards,
Marvin Lindroth
Magnetic North Soccer Club
Bethesda, MD
Cheers, Kimberli & Wolf
The overall organization was good. It would have been nice to have the standings updated at each location.
Given the widespread use of cellular phones, that should be pretty easy to do.
The locations were very good and convenient. Considering what's available to adults, the field quality was good and acceptable. The referee quality was very good.
The Social was good. The prize raffle was a good idea, but it wasn't clear how it worked until we got to the social.
Staff behavior was very good, as was the schedule. It was nice to have most of our games at one location. Overall, it was a very enjoyable tournament.
Again, hats off to a very enjoyable tournament. Looking forward to the Chili Out!
Mike Barsky
Voodoo
Falls Church, VAvirginia's coed sports & recreation association, inc.
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