Survivor's Zohn and Soccer's Miller team up to fight AIDS/HIV
Ethan Zohn, co-founder of the not-for-profit organization Grassroots Soccer and former "Survivor: Africa" winner, teamed up with friend and AU men’s soccer coach Scott Miller March 21 in McLane Center to raise money for the organization's efforts in Africa.
Taking place the day after speaking at Holmes Auditorium, the fund-raiser was a three-on-three shoeless soccer tournament called "Lose the Shoes—Barefoot 3 v 3 Soccer Tournament to Kick AIDS in Africa." Played purposely barefooted, the tournament symbolizes African youths' experience with soccer.
Grassroots Soccer obtains professional soccer players in Africa, trains them and deploys them throughout 15 African states in an effort to educate African youth about HIV and AIDS.
"What Grassroots Soccer does is train professional soccer players in Africa about HIV and AIDS, and they go into the schools to teach about AIDS prevention,” Zohn said. "The concept here (with the tournament) is kids kind of helping kids."
The three-on-three tournament idea came from a Vermont high school student four or five years ago, according to Zohn. Grassroots received a $200 check and the program has now grossed $112,000 through 80-plus tournaments internationally and around the country.
“It’s completely student-run,” Zohn said. “It’s pretty cool if you think about it.”
Zohn said that it takes about $25 to send an African child through Grassroots programs.
When asked if there were any similarities between the soccer tournaments and his "Survivor: Africa" experience, Zohn jokingly pointed out one obvious discrepancy.
“You can’t vote anyone off your team," he said chuckling.
Miller knows Zohn from his soccer tryouts encounter in Pennsylvania in 1998.
“I went down to try out for this team called the Harrisburg Heat, and I was set up in a hotel room for the tryouts and Ethan happened to be my roommate,” Miller said. “We kind of just developed a relationship through that. We connected on that week and stayed in touch.”
Miller remembers seeing Zohn on "Survivor: Africa" and was in contact afterward about bringing Grassroots to Alfred.
“I told him, you know, if you wanted to do anything with Grassroots at our place, we’d love to have you up,” Miller said. “He said he would love to do it.”
The crowded McLane Center was filled with a vociferous group, an excited host of players eager to show off their talents—barefooted of course.
“I’m super impressed; one, that people are up this early on a Saturday, and two, it’s so well organized,” Zohn said. “It’s just a testament to what it’s all about. It’s about hanging out having fun and raising money at the same time.”
“It’s been fantastic,” Miller added. “The turnout I think was actually more than we expected. It seems like everyone in there is having a good time.”
One first-round victorious team was McDowell. Junior Max Davis, who plays intramural soccer and is a member of McDowell said that playing in the event was a bit different than he was used to.
“The barefoot was just a whole other kind of element,” Davis said.
Davis added that he’s never seen so many people out playing soccer at Alfred, and hopes there are more events like this.
28-plus teams participated in seven brackets, which included teams from local high schools and youth soccer groups. Winners of the first game were put into a playoff bracket. The “President’s Office” squad won the tournament. In addition, $1,800 was collected, enough to send 72 Africans through Grassroots.
Miller wanted to thank his soccer team for spreading the word about the event and local sponsors such as AU’s President’s Office, Shapes Etc. and Alfred Sports Center. The soccer team will continue to accept donations. Further information about Zohn’s Grassroots campaign can be found at http://www.grassrootsoccer.org/.
