FRAMINGHAM, MA - 10th Annual George Wheeler Cup - Soccer Night in Framingham is set for Saturday Sept. 10th at Bowditch Field. The first game kicks off a little after 4 p.m. Tickets are only $3.00 per person, kids under 12 are free. Proceeds benefit the George Wheeler Memorial Scholarships for Framingham and Natick high school students.

Current Natick High Boys Varsity Coach Lou Papadellis, Framingham High teacher Denise Gallagher and Steve Spector have been running this event at Bowditch Field since Coach Wheeler passed away in 1994, and it has evolved into probably the biggest regular season high school soccer event in Metrowest - a triple header featuring 3 games between Framingham and Natick. Over 1000 people have attended each of the past 3 Wheeler Cups, and a huge turnout is expected this year as they celebrate the 10th year of the event.

Youth soccer players who attend are encouraged to come as a team and wear their team shirts.

New this year - Framingham Cooperative Bank has stepped up this year to be the main sponsor, providing 200 free T-shirts to be given out by mascot "Rocky The Racoon", the mascot that has been at the Renegades games this past season at Bowditch. Mass Premier Soccer will have Renegades players handing out soccer posters and other soccer stuff, signing autographs, etc. Raffle items will include premium Celtics tickets, Patriots tickets, and gift certificates from local businesses and restaurants.

George's children will be attending the event this weekend, all traveling from afar. George's son Buddy will be coming up from Carolina for the event (he will be playing in the alumni game), as well as both of George's daughters - Cassandra (from Atlanta) and Cathy Jo (from Western Mass).

Alumni players like Tore Mascioli (Colorado) and Keith Brown (3 hour drive from Conn.) will be playing in the Alumni game, which starts at 4:15pm. Mascioli has come from Colorado every year since the event started (except 2001 when travel was shut down September 11th that year).

Over the years, Alumni players have donated thousands of dollars which has helped to fund 4 annual prestigious George Wheeler Memorial Scholarships given to male and female graduating student/athletes at both Framingham High and Natick High. In addition, proceeds from past Wheeler Cups helped pay for the George Wheeler Memorial Scoreboard at the Framingham High soccer field, helping to keep Coach Wheeler's memory alive. Other proceeds from the event have helped the Friends Of Framingham and other local worthy causes.

The committee would like to thank Bob Merusi and the entire staff at Bowditch Field who have been incredibly helpful over the years, graciously hosting the event year after year.

If you would like to make a private donation to the George Wheeler Memorial Scholarship Fund, please email Steve Spector at slspector@comcast.net, and he will send you the proper contact at Framingham High School.

GEORGE WHEELER CUP Schedule:

DATE:

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2005 at Bowditch Field on Union Ave, Framingham.

TIMES:

• 4:15 p.m. - ALUMNI GAME STARTS BETWEEN FRAM V NATICK
• 6:00 p.m. - VARSITY GIRLS GAME BETWEEN FRAM V NATICK
• 8:00 p.m. - VARSITY BOYS GAME BETWEEN FRAM V NATICK

RAFFLES! Tickets are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00! Prizes include great sports tickets, restaurant gift certificates and lots more! (Still time to donate raffle prizes if you want to. The announcers will credit donors all through event). Raffle prize drawing will take place at 1/2 time at Boys Varsity game.

Come to framingham.com booth for balloons and giveaways!

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