Notice of Location and Player Change for “Benefit Soccer Sunday” 
(Benefit Soccer Event to Assist Victims of the Anderson Street Apartment House Fire)

LOCATION CHANGE:  The benefit soccer match on Sunday, May 5, at 1 pm, with the NJ Stallions Pro Soccer Team has been moved FROM Johnson Park Soccer Field TO Hackensack High School located at First and Beech Streets in Hackensack, NJ.

PLAYER CHANGE:  Due to NCAA eligibility regulations, the Felician College Golden Falcons will be unable to participate in the benefit soccer match against the NJ Stallions Pro Soccer Team, as previously stated.  The highlighted match will pit the N.J. Stallions Pro Soccer Team (the Division III satellite team of the NY/NJ MetroStars of Major League Soccer) against the Hackensack All-Stars (a collection of professional and semi-professional Hackensack area players). 

On Sunday May 5, 2002, at 1:00 p.m., the Hackensack Junior Soccer Association in conjunction with the New Jersey Stallions Pro Soccer Team and the Hackensack All-Stars Soccer Team, will sponsor “Benefit Soccer Sunday” to aid the victims of the April 7 Anderson Street apartment house fire that displaced 200 people and left most of the residents homeless and poor.  The highlighted match will pit the N.J. Stallions Pro Soccer Team (the Division III satellite team of the NY/NJ MetroStars of Major League Soccer) against the Hackensack All-Stars (a collection of professional and semi-professional Hackensack area players).  “Benefit Soccer Sunday” will take place at Hackensack High School located at First and Beech Streets in Hackensack, NJ.  The suggested donation for attendees of the event will be $5.00 per adult and $3.00 per child 12 yrs. of age or younger. 

Intended to serve as a community focal point with broad appeal to the greater Hackensack community, “Benefit Soccer Sunday” will rally support for the victims of this tragedy, many of whom were Ecuadorian immigrants who lost all their belongings in the fire and are without insurance to cover their losses.  With community dignitaries, such as Hackensack Councilman Jesus R. Galvis, and pro-soccer celebrities on hand to show their support, the day will also feature many soccer activities, including free youth pro soccer clinics and exhibition soccer matches.  During the day, local merchants will sell food, beverages, and assorted goods, donating a portion of their revenues, and music to satisfy all tastes will be played.  All proceeds collected from event admissions (and donations from the community) will be deposited into an account established for the fire victims by the Hackensack Police Department. 

The Hackensack All-Stars feature many Hackensack area soccer pros and semi-pros that have been assembled by several soccer legends known as mainstays of the community.  The All-Stars have been assembled by Kazbek Tambi (Head Coach of the Lady Stallions Elite Soccer Team) in cooperation with Andranik Eskandarian and Hubert Birkenmeier (proprietors of Birkenmeier Sports Shop Inc. located at 213 Main Street in Hackensack).  All three men are former star players for the legendary New York Cosmos soccer team that dominated the North American Soccer League in the 1970’s and 80’s.  “Both teams feel a strong sense of community responsibility and look forward to taking part in the event,” said Dennis Huzey, a Felician College instructor who helped to organize the event.  The Stallions will leverage their soccer talents and celebrity to benefit the fire victims while using this match as a “tune-up” to their 2002 season home opener vs. the South Jersey Barons on Sat. May 11 at 7:30 P.M. at Memorial Stadium in New Brunswick, N.J.  “Both teams have highly talented rosters including several standout Hispanic players who are especially proud to serve their community in this time of need,” said Huzey.