BOONE, N.C. — The Appalachian State University athletics community came out in full force on Monday afternoon, having more than 100 student-athletes volunteer in the Autism Speaks 4v4 Soccer Festival at the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex.
Organized by Kelsey Strickland, daughter of head women’s soccer coach Sarah Strickland and a freshman at Watauga High School, the event invited all ages to participate in co-ed kindergarten, first-second grade, third-fourth grade, fifth-sixth grade, seventh-eighth grade, adult open division, high school open division and adult leagues with teams from 4-6 players. In all, 30 teams were on-hand for the festival and all of the proceeds will go to the self-contained classrooms for special needs children in the Watauga County Schools Exceptional Children Program.