Your view: Soccer success

On Nov. 6 and 7, the Sikeston Youth Soccer League held the 10th Annual Bootheel Classic Soccer Tournament. One hundred thirty-seven teams from Missouri, Illinois and Tennessee combined to make the tournament the largest recreational soccer tournament between St. Louis and Memphis. The tournament included 1,400 players and over 4,000 parents, coaches and other fans.

The Youth Soccer League would like to express its thanks to all the organizations, businesses and people who helped to make this such a wonderful event. Without your support, we could never make the Bootheel Classic as successful as it is. There are some organizations and people who we would like to recognize personally.

To Jiggs Moore and the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Sikeston -- gentlemen, words are hard to come by to express the appreciation we have for the way you kept things going in the Complex before and during the tournament. Any time we looked up, there you were ready to help in any way. The residents of Sikeston should know that our Parks and Recreation Department is the finest in this part of the country.

To our field crew -- you know who you are -- what a tremendous job, guys. The fields were in wonderful condition and we appreciate all the long hours it took to get them prepared. Finally, to our Tournament Director Phil Black -- Phil we look at all the hard work and long hours you have put in throughout the last 10 years and want you to know we truly appreciate you. In 10 years, you have guided this tournament from 17 teams to where it is today -- averaging over 130 teams the last three years. Your long hours and tireless effort have truly made this a great event for players, coaches and parents.

As a League, we look forward to hosting the 11th Annual Bootheel Classic next November and hope many of you will attend.

Sincerely, The Sikeston Youth Soccer League