The 48th Annual University of Okoboji Classic Invitational Soccer Tournament returns for another year of family-oriented competition. Play unfolds June 7-8 on six fields at the Bedell Family YMCA in Spirit Lake.
The schedule includes 57 teams with 950 competitors in four age groups from the Catholic Youth Soccer League in Omaha, Neb.
Organizers put participation ahead of pageantry to keep the busy schedule on track.
“As of last year, we have stopped having official opening ceremonies,” Boji Soccer Classic President Shannon Goldsmith said. “With the growing demand and interest in the tournament, the decision was made to start game play earlier so that we could add more games and invite more teams.”
Play takes place from 7:15 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Saturday, with the last games starting at 6:30 p.m. Play resumes Sunday at 7:15 a.m. with the last games starting at 2:45 p.m.
“Thank you from the tournament directors to the Spirit Lake/Okobiji community for hosting us every year,” Goldsmith said. “This is a cherished tradition for our league families and something we look forward to year after year.”
The tournament began when Omaha transplants Jim Morrison, his wife Mary and their friends Bob and Mary Jo Ellis purchased homes in the Iowa Great Lakes. They brought their love for the burgeoning sport of soccer along with them.
Bob Ellis approached local businessman Herman Richter of The Three Sons with the idea of hosting a youth soccer tournament in Okoboji. Richter, a longtime advocate of the Iowa Great Lakes, saw yet another opportunity to promote the area.
The first goals were scored by young competitors on June 10-11, 1978, at what was then the Milford High School football field and practice field.
The inaugural event drew 16 teams and 300 competitors from St. Paul and Blaine, Minn. — in addition to the first delegation of teams from Omaha.
“The University of Okoboji Invitational is an attempt to bring soccer to this area and add to the attraction of the Iowa Great Lakes,” newspaper coverage from 1978 said. “Organizers hope if it catches on that the U of O’s tournament will becomes the premier soccer tournament for the state.”
Teams from Bloomington, Burnsville and Wayzata, Minn., joined the tournament the following year.
The St. James Elizabeth Ann Youth Soccer Club now manages the event, which features the CYSL teams from Omaha.
“We would like to recognize and thank the Morrison, Ellis, and Richter families for their vision of the tournament and dedication to youth athletics,” 2011 tournament director Chris Blaylock posted on the event’s official website. “Because of them, thousands of youth have been able to look forward to spending time with their families in Okoboji and having fun competing in the tournament.”