Acalanes Soccer Alumni Kickin' It "Old School"

It was back to the pitch for more than 30 Acalanes High school alumni soccer players as they took on the current varsity squad in a friendly scrimmage match Friday. The game went into the books as a 2-1 victory in favor of the current varsity team however but, as 2003 alum Riad Alameddine put it: “The game was actually a tie, because one of the goals was a goal keeper error."

Okay, we'll go with that. After it was over and "the kids" had gone home, the alumni kept playing against themselves until their shins were sore.

“The soccer program started the scrimmage and social opportunity in order to provide an opportunity for the current varsity players to further understand the significance of their involvement in the Acalanes Boys Soccer program,” said varsity coach Paul Curtis.

“The alumni game has been an off-and-on tradition since the mid-80's,” said former Acalanes soccer coach and alumni Hal McArthur. “This year is very special because it's also the 30th anniversary of the varsity squad from 1981."

While the game was recorded as a loss for the alums, everyone concerned maintained the match was not about winning. And they said it with a straight face so we're keeping the quote.

“We (the alumni) have all worked hard to build this program and hope to inspire the current Varsity squad to continue the tradition of excellence through our own pride," said 2003 Alumni Tarek Alameddine.

And if you look hard within that last sentence you'll find a certain five-letter word -- the real reason these guys keep coming back year after year.