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LAWRENCE — Jason Booker has been impressed by the response from the community, ever since the Algerian men's soccer team arrived in Lawrence recently to use the area as a base camp for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
That’s been from just driving around. That’s been from the response from fans at the team’s hotel. And Thursday, that meant the fervor at Rock Chalk Park — where KU Athletics’ women’s soccer team plays — during a community event Team Algeria participated in that included a chance for fans to watch a training session and the opportunity for a youth clinic, too.
Booker, a deputy athletics director for KU, said one of the requirements from FIFA is that a community event is held, so they started planning two or three months ago what it would look like. From his perspective, they got everyone together and tried to somewhat recreate what they have for soccer game days. The KU events team has had a lot on its plate in recent weeks, as the KU baseball team hosted a NCAA regional and an NCAA super regional before this community event took place, but as evidenced by the joy of the fans in attendance there’s been continued success.
RELATED: How Tyson LeBlanc will remember Kansas baseball’s special season
Here are a few more takeaways from a conversation with Booker, with Team Algeria’s first game set for June 16 against Argentina:
For now, Booker said this was the only community event they were planning. However, he added Team Algeria has been very appreciative of how accommodating everyone’s been. He’s also heard from a FIFA representative that the Kansas City-area base camps as a group are doing great, with so many people chipping in and finding ways to help.
The significant weather that’s come through Lawrence of late, namely a pair of storms that Booker noted, have blown down the privacy fencing at Rock Chalk Park multiple times. So, the operations team has had to spent a lot of time making sure that’s fixed. But other than that, and some smaller adjustments like moving some weight room equipment to the team hotel so they can have some there, too, Team Algeria has been getting into a rhythm and is settling in.
Booker said the size and scope of the Anderson Family Football Complex impressed, as well as what’s happening at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium where KU football plays. He wasn’t sure if any of the players would try to kick some field goals, out of caution to avoid pulling a hamstring or something, but sure enough the team enjoyed some fun in that respect. It was also almost as if they couldn’t get the team to leave the basketball court inside Allen Fieldhouse, where KU men’s and women’s basketball both play, as people continued to want to get shots up.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at [email protected] or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Algerian men’s soccer team holds community event at Rock Chalk Park
Continue reading...
That’s been from just driving around. That’s been from the response from fans at the team’s hotel. And Thursday, that meant the fervor at Rock Chalk Park — where KU Athletics’ women’s soccer team plays — during a community event Team Algeria participated in that included a chance for fans to watch a training session and the opportunity for a youth clinic, too.
Booker, a deputy athletics director for KU, said one of the requirements from FIFA is that a community event is held, so they started planning two or three months ago what it would look like. From his perspective, they got everyone together and tried to somewhat recreate what they have for soccer game days. The KU events team has had a lot on its plate in recent weeks, as the KU baseball team hosted a NCAA regional and an NCAA super regional before this community event took place, but as evidenced by the joy of the fans in attendance there’s been continued success.
RELATED: How Tyson LeBlanc will remember Kansas baseball’s special season
Here are a few more takeaways from a conversation with Booker, with Team Algeria’s first game set for June 16 against Argentina:
Are any more community events on the horizon with Team Algeria?
For now, Booker said this was the only community event they were planning. However, he added Team Algeria has been very appreciative of how accommodating everyone’s been. He’s also heard from a FIFA representative that the Kansas City-area base camps as a group are doing great, with so many people chipping in and finding ways to help.
Have any adjustments been made, since Team Algeria arrived?
The significant weather that’s come through Lawrence of late, namely a pair of storms that Booker noted, have blown down the privacy fencing at Rock Chalk Park multiple times. So, the operations team has had to spent a lot of time making sure that’s fixed. But other than that, and some smaller adjustments like moving some weight room equipment to the team hotel so they can have some there, too, Team Algeria has been getting into a rhythm and is settling in.
How much did Team Algeria enjoy touring KU Athletics venues?
Booker said the size and scope of the Anderson Family Football Complex impressed, as well as what’s happening at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium where KU football plays. He wasn’t sure if any of the players would try to kick some field goals, out of caution to avoid pulling a hamstring or something, but sure enough the team enjoyed some fun in that respect. It was also almost as if they couldn’t get the team to leave the basketball court inside Allen Fieldhouse, where KU men’s and women’s basketball both play, as people continued to want to get shots up.
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Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at [email protected] or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Algerian men’s soccer team holds community event at Rock Chalk Park
Continue reading...
