The September sun rose and beat down on the astroturf, reflecting off the west goal, with the scent of freshly cooked hamburgers drifting into the air. Cars sped by the initially desolate field, soon to be packed with past Colonels who bond over a simple, yet significant obsession: the beautiful game. For generations, soccer has been considered to be a sacred tradition bringing together the young and the old, the tall and the vertically challenged, and has united the world in ways not possible in politics.

On a warm Sunday morning on September 25, a diverse collection of Parker alumni and parents rejoiced in a significant Parker Homecoming event, the Rick Haskins Alumni Soccer Game. Alumni, with graduation years ranging from 1970 to 2012, and two players who were strictly Parker parents, decided to play while many others took the role of the spectator. Jim Witz, Class of 1983, came back to Parker because he enjoyed the “close and supportive community”. He remembers Rick Haskins, a former Parker coach, who died on December 13, 2012. “Rick was a great coach. He was a great friend.” He also recalled that “Nuts!” was his favorite exclamation, which was featured on the 2013 Alumni Soccer Game t-shirts, the first year Haskins was honored.

This year’s game specifically was more significant than most others because it was the first game under new management. Josh Kotin, Class of 1999, took over the Rick Haskins Alumni Soccer Game and explained why he decided to come back to Parker after he graduated. “I love coming back to the field and I love getting reunited,” he said. Kotin lived outside Chicago four fifthteen years and has attending almost ten Parker Alumni Soccer Games. He felt the warmth of the Parker community throughout his fourteen years at Parker and has engaged in what is perceived as one of the most significant Parker traditions, soccer, for seven years as a student-athlete.

Although the game typically serves as a bonding experience for Parker alumni, Parker parents also have a piece of the house. Two players in the game were not part of the alumni crowd. They were parents, including Rob Levin, who has a daughter at Parker (9th Grade). Rob Levin graduated New Trier West in Wilmette, Illinois in 1979 and played goalkeeper well into college at Harvard. He recalls that he did not have an exceptional college career having to deal with significant obstacles including injuries, but can recall a moment of glory. The Harvard Inter-Mural Soccer Team tied against the Harvard Varsity Soccer Team 0-0.

The game commenced around 10:15 and alumnus Jake Ganz scored immediately. Soon afterwards Mason Friedman, Class of 2010, scored immediately followed by Jacob Schwartz, Class of 2011. Max Jones scored a hat-trick, followed by a goal by Ralph Shayne, assisted by Mike McFarlane, Parker alumnus and current fourth-grade teacher at Parker. The final score was 5-2 in favor of the pinnies team.

The rosters were developed to include both younger and older alumni on the same team to avoid a clearly dominant side, but the score showed the rosters were fairly unbalanced.

The Rick Haskins Alumni Soccer Game was successful in achieving what it had initially set out to do. It was a fun opportunity for Parker Alumni and united both alumni and parents in the beautiful game. The game showed that Parker’s values, which are instilled in every student, also carry over into their adult lives. For some, the heart of the school resides in the auditorium. For some, the heart of the school resides in the classroom. For some, the heart of the school resides in the cafeteria. But for some, the heart and the spirit of the school resides on Ray Field and is shown through the blood, sweat, and tears from the participants in the beautiful game.