NAIA athletes pitch in to help Communities Caring at Christmas
PENSACOLA, Florida (December 2, 2024) – Communities Caring at Christmas will get a boost this year from athletes who are in town for the NAIA Women’s National Soccer Tournament being held at Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex. The players will be sorting and packing children’s essential items at the Brownsville Community Center.
It’s all a part of the NAIA’s Teaming up for Character program that targets events in the communities in which they play. By fostering connections between student-athletes and community members, they promote character-driven excellence and create a ripple effect of positive change.
“These Teaming Up for Character events impact thousands annually through meaningful outreach activities in local communities,” said Alex Schultz, NAIA Championship Sport Manager. “We’re particularly excited to make a difference in the Pensacola community through Communities Caring at Christmas, a long-standing initiative that brings hope and joy by providing new toys, clothing, and daily essentials to abused, neglected, and abandoned children in Northwest Florida. This partnership embodies the spirit of giving and the NAIA’s commitment to enriching lives beyond the field.”
Ten players from each of the eight remaining teams in the NAIA National Championship tournament will participate, 80 in total. The first 40 players for the first shift will come from the four winning teams from the Monday games, and the second group of 40 players will come from the winning teams from the Tuesday games for the second shift.
“We knew we were getting something special when the NAIA chose Pensacola for their Women’s Soccer Champions Tournament,” said Ray Palmer, CEO of Pensacola Sports. “Little did we know the full impact they would have on our community with their players supporting Communities Caring at Christmas. This is a very special group of people.”
The NAIA Women’s Soccer Championship will take place from Dec. 2-9 at Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex. Details below.
What: NAIA Women’s Soccer player team up to help Communities Caring at Christmas
When: Dec. 4 from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W DeSoto St., Pensacola, FL 32505
About the NAIA Championship Tournament
In this 41st annual competition, the top 16 women’s soccer teams will compete for the championship title at Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Complex in Pensacola, Fla.
The teams competing for the title this year are Cumberlands (Ky.), John Brown (Ark.), SCAD Savannah (Ga.), Spring Arbor (Mich.), Campbellsville (Ky.), UC Merced (Calif.), (12) Marian (Ind.), College of Idaho, William Carey (Miss.), Xavier (La.), Cumberland (Tenn.), Indiana Wesleyan, Oklahoma Wesleyan, MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.), Columbia (Mo.), Science and Arts (Okla.), Keiser (Fla.), Tennessee Wesleyan, Missouri Valley, Truett McConnell (Ga.), Tennessee Southern, The Master’s (Calif.), Aquinas (Mich.) and Concordia (Neb.). Visit PensacolaSports.org for the tournament bracket and game times.
Tickets are on sale at here. All-tournament passes are $30 for adults and $15 for military, students and children. Individual game tickets for first round, quarterfinals and semifinals are $10 for adults and $5 for students/children/military. Tickets for the championship game on Sunday, Nov. 6 are $10 for adults and $5 for students/children/military. A service fee is applied to all ticket purchases. A clear bag policy is in effect for this event.
Game Times
Monday, Dec. 2 - 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 3 - 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 5 (Quarterfinals) - 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 7 (Semifinals) - 1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 9 (Finals) - 1:05 p.m.