Hello Strykers!

 Saturday's first game is now at 10:00am instead of 9:00am.  Please come at 9:15 to help move goals.  The afternoon game is still at 1:30 pm.  We still plan to picnic (bring your own) in between games.

Starting Monday, practices will be moved to 5:30-7:00pm.  Same days (MW) and same place (Upper RV field). The coaches understand that this may conflict with other obligations, so please let me/them know if your player has unavoidable conflictsl 

Thanks,
PL

Dear Strykers,

I have learned that the Gaylord Sheppard this year is a "Stay-to-Play" Tournament.  What this means is that I am not able to negotiate with any hotel to secure accommodations for our team.  All out-of-town teams playing in the tournament MUST go through the Albuquerque Housing Authority to secure a hotel for the team.  There is a pre-determined list of hotels and the Albuquerque Housing Authority will determine which hotel our team will be staying at.  I will submit our preference of hotels (based on price, features and safety/convenience of location) from their list of hotels, but there is no guarantee we will be placed at any of the hotels I request.  The price range generally is between $85-$100/night + tax.

We MUST stay at the hotel we are assigned to or our team can be kicked out of the tournament.  The only exception to this would be if you stay with relatives or friends.

All is not forsaken, however.  There are decent hotels on the list.  And, "It is what it is..."  If we want to play in the Gaylord, we'll follow the policy.

WHAT I NEED FROM YOU:

1) You will need to decide soon if you want a hotel room.

2)  I will need a credit card number to guarantee your room.  I will submit a rooming list, including credit card numbers, via FAX to the AHA.  FAX is the most secure way of the options available to transmit your information (I learned that in a computer security training course!). 

3)  Be prepared for me to approach you at the game Saturday, asking for your information.  Better yet, please come see me or call me with your information.

THANKS for your cooperation.  Your timely input is essential. 

Questions? Call me at 769-7743.

Best Regards,

The Soccer Hooligan

If you'd like more info on the 5k for Alyssa Shelton, contact me and I'll forward.  The following is a message from Alyssa's step-mom.  Pauline

Dear Friends:  
Last week I received a very humbling phone call from one of the team parents of the Durango High School running teams (Cross Country & Track).  The coaches, team and parents had formed a very special benefit 5K run in honor of our sweet girl Alyssa Shelton.  
Many of you know she was in an accident that has left her partially paralyzed and has caused her to hang up her running shoes and her love for racing.  To this devoted runner, it has been a devastation to sit on the sidelines.  She fights everyday for full recovery, hours upon end in therapy and medical appointments on top of school full time.  She never gives up, and knows that the hard work will hopefully payoff for her recovery.
I invite you to join us in her honor.  Run, walk, skip, stroll, roller skate......she would love to see us all out there challenging ourselves in what might seem like the impossible!
Please also forward to others in your contact list so we can get the word out to our whole community!

"Whe push comes to shove you taste what your made of.  You might bend, you will break, cause it's all you can take. On your knees you look up, decide you've had enough.  You get mad, you get strong, wipe your hands, shake it off, then you STAND!" - Rascal Flatts, Stand (Alyssa's theme song for her recovery).

Hope to see you there!

Laura Shelton

Assistant Vice President
Alpine Bank-Durango
1099 Main Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
laurashelton@alpinebank.com
(970)426-7170 direct
(970)903-2037 cell