MSU Soccer team scores at Sheppard

Midwestern State University Soccer Team members Chad Caldwell (front), Kelly Gill (center) and Rob Cummings (back) get a control tower overview from Major Mike Lange (right), 80th Flying Training Wing supervisor of flying, April 28, 2010. The MSU team provides an annual youth soccer clinic for Sheppard children . (U.S. Air Force photo/Debi Smith)

MSU Soccer team scores at Sheppard

Control Tower Watch Supervisor Staff Sgt. William Vargas briefs several members of the Midwestern State University Soccer Team during a tour of the Control Tower and Radar Approach Control April 28, 2010. Twenty MSU personnel visited the 80th Flying Training Wing before conducting the fifth annual Soccer Youth Clinic for Sheppard children. (U.S. Air Force photo/Debi Smith)

MSU Soccer team scores at Sheppard

Published April 28, 2010
By Debi Smith
82nd Training Wing Public Affairs

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Midwestern State University Soccer Team toured Sheppard as part of their fifth annual Youth Soccer Clinic for Sheppard children April 28.

MSU approached the Sheppard Youth Center several years ago proposing a partnership with the youth soccer program.

Mrs. Terry Baggott, Youth Center program director said, "soccer is the biggest program we have, with one hundred and fifty children participating in two seasons a year.

This is a perfect fit since April is Month of the Military Child and this is the Air Force Year of the Family. The children get very excited to know the college soccer team is coming to share their skills."

The 20 visiting members of the MSU soccer team, including co-captain Allen Thomson of South Africa, were very excited to visit the base.

Mr. Thomson said, "The team looks forward to this every year as a way to give back and support the community. Military children are special to us because they don't get to live a normal lifestyle. Therefore, we want to share our sport with them."

"Coming to the base and getting to see the 80th Flying Training mission is unbelievable. So many of us wouldn't get the chance to get close to a base like this. We are all amazed at what we are seeing in the control tower."

Braving 35-mph winds, team members ventured out on to the Airfield Operations Complex catwalk, viewed air traffic from the control tower and watched radar approach control activity.