For the first time since soccer became a state-sanctioned sport in 1968, the boys and girls championships will be played somewhere other than St. Louis.
Starting in November and running through the girls championships in the spring of 2014, the Missouri high school soccer state championship semifinals and finals will be played at Blue Springs School District facilities in suburban Kansas City.
The decision, made by the Missouri State High School Activities Association board of directors, was announced Friday morning.
“The board of directors had very difficult decisions to make,’’ MSHSAA Executive Director Dr. Kerwin Urhahn said in the press release. “The decision of choosing a championship site is made difficult because there are some fantastic venues across the state of Missouri. It is very empowering to see the level of excitement these communities and venues are showing us when submitting proposals to MSHSAA championship events.’’
For soccer, MSHSAA also received bids from the Cooper Field at the Lake Country Soccer Complex in Springfield and from the Anheuser-Busch Center Park in Fenton.
The A-B Center, commonly referred to as Soccer Park, has been hosting the boys championships since 1986 and the girls since 1985. Due to flooding along the Meramec River, the boys tournament in 1993 and the girls tournaments in 1994 and 1995 were played at St. Louis University.
“We definitely feel we’re the best facility to host the state soccer championships and we made a very competitive bid,’’ said John Anderson, facility manager at the A-B Center. “But the board thought differently.’’
MSHSAA assistant executive director Kevin Garner said the decision came down to finances.
“We’re very much aware of the great tradition of soccer in St. Louis and have no problem at all with the Soccer Park. Over the years, John Anderson and his staff have done a great job working with us,’’ said Garner, noting that the tournaments will be played on two 72-yards by 120-yards artificial-turf fields at Blue Springs. “This was a financial decision. Based on the three bids, our board of directors decided that the proposal from Blue Springs was the one that made the most sense for us financially.’’
Area coaches Terry Michler of CBC and Chaminade’s Mike Gauvain were surprised at the news.
“Wow, that’s definitely going to stir things up,’’ Michler said. “I think you have to applaud Kansas City for taking the initiative. But my big question is whether the Kansas City soccer community will provide the same kind of support that we saw here. In 2008, when Rockhurst played Springfield Glendale for the title, there wasn’t much of a crowd; I wonder what kind of crowd you get if two St. Louis teams play for the title in Kansas City.’’
Added Gauvain: “Obviously, it’s not good for St. Louis or the Soccer Park, but it’s great for Kansas City and soccer fans there. Personally, I’d like to see it rotate so that every area of the state gets a chance to host.
“The soccer championships have been played here a long time and we all have great memories from those exciting weekends at the Park. But maybe it’s time for a change.
“I’m sure (Blue Springs) will do a great job, but if they don’t, I guess it’ll give the St. Louis area another chance.’’
MSHSAA also announced :
•Boys and girls basketball will remain at Mizzou Arena and the Hearnes Center in Columbia through the 2015-16 season.
•Wrestling will be held at Mizzou Arena in Columbia through the 2017-18 school year.
•Lincoln University in Jefferson City will continue to host the track and field championships through 2017-18.
