Scott:

This is one of the best posts you've had on any subject and brings to light some severe problems SF has if it is going to go to "the next level."

The Regional Tournament in many ways was a fiasco even for those of us who love youth soccer in SF. There were at least two instances I know of that the city would let rec games go on because of "wet field conditions" in April and May. Both days were sunny and great to play. The city was more concerned about keeping Yankton Trail's pitches pristine for the "$10M economic impact" elite teams in than letting the taxpayers' kids play soccer on a sunny Saturday. Believe me, the fields were completely playable.

Even Dakota Gold got screwed over by the city on the Yankton Trail fields for their tournament the week before the Regional. There had been some rain that Friday but the city again said there were "wet field conditions." The Friday YT games were moved to 7 a.m. the next day. People from Pierre, Aberdeen, the Twin Cities, and elsewhere didn't find out until they arrived at their fields.

The city didn't pull the plug until 3 p.m. and games were set to begin at 5 p.m.  I didn't even find out until I got to the field and I'm a local assistant coach and ref. The DG people were steamed. Again, the city thought it more important to keep the fields perfect for the Regional and screwed over people from Sioux Falls and the five state area and Canada.

To add injury to insult, the city failed to open the bathrooms up at YT and Tomar for the new 7 a.m. games. Not only did I end up refereeing a game with a full bladder and colon, I can't tell you how many kids and parents thought they could hit the facilities before their now early games. Again, this was unexcusable and a terrible way to treat visitors. I talked to a number of people who were deeply offended that not only did they have to waste an extra day in Sioux Falls then have to get up early, they couldn't even use the public bathrooms. I was embarassed for our community at such rude treatment of our guests.

They were also crying for volunteers. I don't know how many emails I got from the SFSA and other groups begging for volunteers. Non-elite club and rec teams, players, and coaches get treated like crap most of the year by the elite teams then they want us to volunteer at their big dance. Then they can't understand why people won't help.

The hotel room situation is unexcusable. I've faced similar problems when Aberdeen hosts the state soccer tournaments. No rooms. But at least they open up the NSU dorms for summer tournaments. Rapid City has no such problems when they host a major tournament even during tourist season.

I want to see tourism, soccer, and Sioux Falls grow and prosper. But if I were commuting from SUX (Sioux City) to play a once in lifetime tournament, I'd be major ticked off. That's not a way to treat people you've invited and recruited to your community. We have to actually be able to pull off these events, not cobble them together and just pick people's pockets. 

To comment, click here to go to the Middle Border Sun.