Thompson Rivers University lands 2008 National College Soccer Tournament
Thompson Rivers University will get a kick out of showing off the soccer pitch in 2008.
TRU has won the right to host the 2008 Canadian colleges national soccer championships for men and women.
“This is the not the first time we have hosted the nationals,” said Josh Keller, director of marketing and media for TRU.
“We hosted them here just before we went CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport), but we knew our ability to host this event would be outstanding.
“We’re always hoping to build on our program, and this event will only advance that.”
The TRU WolfPack soccer teams both play in the British Columbia Collegiate Athletics Association.
One of the advancements the university would like to achieve for the programs is a move to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport level, which is where the school’s basketball and volleyball squads play.
“I figured the new facilities were critical to the win,” said Keller. “But the plan here is to move things forward. Having a CIS tournament, showcasing the facilities and our ability to host these events –– to set a standard hosting these events –– will only help that.”
While Kamloops has had experiences with this event, the 2008 championships will be memorable in their own right, giving TRU the opportunity to display the facilities to a national audience.
“Absolutely! It’s a national event, an opportunity to showcase Kamloops and the school on a national scale,” added Keller.
“We have the ability to do banquets and everything on the campus, it’s really going to be something.”
By Matthew Strader
Staff reporter
Kamloops this Week