Kotula Event Helps Many

Wonder what Jamie Kotula would say if he could see this? Next weekend will be the fifth annual Jamie Kotula Kickoff Classic, honoring the memory of the Holy Cross soccer who died just shy of his 17th birthday player more than 4 ½ years ago in a tragic car accident.

He’d probably like it because the event is a continuation of what Kotula tried to do in his young life: Help others.

There’s a story of Kotula tutoring a fellow Holy Cross student. It’s posted on the Kotula Foundation’s website, and gives us insight into the type of person Jamie was and likely would have been.

But the tournament not only brings together soccer players from 11 schools, it helps students with scholarships and families who have faced tragedies similar to the Kotulas. So far, 150 scholarships have been doled out in the first four years.

“We’ve been very lucky,” Holy Cross soccer coach Joe Dodgson said. “We have some very key sponsors who have helped us with their donations.”

Eleven scholarships will be given out at the tournament, which will be played Saturday beginning at 9:30 a.m., and Sunday at 9 a.m., at Marywood University. They won’t necessarily go to the best player on a team, but one that demonstrates the best spirit. And all 364 players in the event will get a T-shirt and an armband.

But the players from Holy Cross, North Pocono and Lakeland’s boys and girls teams, Valley View and Wallenpaupack’s girls squads, and Dunmore and Riverside’s boys will get to play for a very meaningful title, as well as be part of an event that helps so many.

There is no admission to see the games, but there are basket raffles and donations are always welcome. For more information and a schedule of games and times, visit jamiekotula.org.

          -By: Marty Myers: Around Town                                                      -Appeared in The Times Tribune

30 August 2015