Sept. 18, 2003

CLEVELAND - The Cleveland State men's soccer program will celebrate the 50th season of Cleveland State soccer this weekend with an alumni reunion. The two-day event will include a banquet, alumni game and luncheon, and will culminate with the Viking men's soccer team's home opener against Illinois-Chicago on Sat., Sept. 20, at 3 p.m. at Krenzler Field.

"I think it's fantastic that the current players will get a chance to meet the legends that have graced the field for CSU over the past 50 years," current head coach Pete Curtis said. "I think it's wonderful that we can be reminded of the teams that put CSU on the map. It will also be a temendous opportunity for the alums to see the foundation we're laying here to put CSU back in the lofty position that they worked so hard to put it in 20 years ago."

The Viking program, which began during the 1954 season, has seen Cleveland State post a 314-274-54 all-time record entering the 2003 season. CSU has a 5-9 record in nine NCAA Tournament appearances. Last season's Viking team was the first team in school history to advance to the championship game of any conference tournament.

The Vikings also hold a prominent spot in the NCAA record book, scoring 24 goals in the Oct. 16, 1971, match against Wright State, a single-game goal record that still stands. In that game, Jim McMillan tied an NCAA record with 18 points on seven goals and four assists.

Among the alumni returning for the 50th Year celebration are former coaches Tom Turner (1987-92), Klaas de Boer (1972-77) and Jack Marshall (1954-66), along with Cleveland State Hall of Fame members Vito Colonna, Jim McMillan, George Kap, Errol Clark, Terry Zuk and John Tyma.

The 2003 edition of the Cleveland State men's soccer team is off to a 4-3 start, with all seven games being played away from Krenzler Field. The Vikings are in first place in the Horizon League with a 1-0 league mark after defeating Loyola, 3-2, on Sept. 6 in Chicago.