First DC SCORES Holiday Classic Presented by District Sports a huge success

From 8 a.m. until close to 6 p.m. Saturday, the football field at Cardozo Senior High School was populated by an array of colors as 12 teams did battle during the DC SCORES Holiday Classic Presented by District Sports.

The 7v7 co-ed tournament was a huge success, with the Pretty Princesses ultimately defeating AC Qatar in a back-and-fourth championship game, 4-3.

Twelve teams made up of approximately 150 players participated in the first-time event, whose proceeds will directly benefits DC SCORES’ 800 poet-athletes.

Alex Bearman, the head of District Sports, deserves most of the credit for recruiting the teams – many of whom play together in District Sports leagues. Bearman also secured the use of Cardozo, which was a perfect venue and location.

In between games and upon finishing, teams made the short walk over to Duffy’s Irish Pub – where they used complimentary drink tickets and enjoyed drink and food specials throughout the day. Not only that, but the winner of the Most Creative Team Name contest – The Hurt Latke – and the winner of the tournament, those Pretty Princesses, were awarded $50 and $100 gift certificates to Duffy’s, respectively.

As if random giveaways throughout the day at Cardozo and the drink and food deals weren’t enough, D.C. United set up at Duffy’s and gave away T-shirts just for signing up for the team’s mailing list. A lucky winner also took home an autographed D.C. United soccer ball.

So while the soccer games were the highlight of the Holiday Classic – and the weather couldn’t have been better – there was a lot going on both at Cardozo and Duffy’s, and every team participated in all aspects of the Classic.

Thank you to everyone who made it such a successful first-time event. We hope to expand it next year.

For soccer players interested in participating in other DC SCORES fundraisers, learn more about the DC SCORES Cup scheduled for June 11, 2011.