In 1993, a group of men had a vision, it was to have the top 80 soccer players from the State of Nebraska (40 girls and 40 boys) square off in a couple of soccer games. Hence, the Nebraska Shrine Soccer Classic was born. In 1994 the first Shrine Soccer Classic was played. It was played at Seacrest Field in Lincoln, NE. The first three years, the Classic was played in Lincoln, NE. (Sesostris Temple). In 1997, it was moved to Omaha, NE. (Tangier Temple) where it stayed until 2000. Then in 2001 it was moved to Hastings, NE. (Temaha Temple) and has been there ever since. Hastings has been a dream come true for the Shrine Soccer Classic. With the help of Hastings College and the City of Hastings.We have found a home for these great soccer player to show their skills on a Saturday afternoon in June.

For the first 3-4 years the player and coaches and Shrine members would load a bus and go to the Hospital in Minneapolis to visit the kids in the Hospital. The kids would have to travel all day and all night, they were so tired the next day. This was a great experience for the player and coaches, but due to the raising cost of travel we had to eliminate this from our program. We did the next best thing and that was bring the patients from Nebraska to the players and coaches. The patients are able to hang with the player for three day and also be honorary captains for the weekend which has worked very well.

On June 14th 2008, we decided to have the 1st Annual Shrine Soccer Parade. We brought back the first four coaches from the 1994 Soccer Classic. They were John Walsh (Ralston) Girls South (now at Millard North), Don Klosterman (Millard North) Boys South (now at UNO in Omaha), Don Gilpin (Westside) Girls North (now at Plattsmouth) and Todd Wicks (Blair) Boys North (now just teaching in Blair) thes coaches were the Grand Marshals of our first parade. In 2009 we had Lt. Governor Rich Sheehy (Hastings Native) 2010 was Hastings Boys Soccer Team This was the first time that Hastings Tigers had made it to State Soccer Meet and ended up State Runner-ups. The parade is held downtown Hastings at 9:00 AM. And has been growing each year. Please come out and see the Shrine Units and some local kids and attraction from Hastings.

The 17th Annual Shrine Soccer Classic started on Thursday at 12:00 PM. when the players check in and by 2:00 PM they were on the field to have their first practice. That evening they were treated to a BBQ. The teams had a chance to inner mix with the players and also the honorary captains and their families. Drew Borske was the main speaker. We autographed a few soccer balls that were auctioned at the Friday evening event. Friday was an intense day for the athletes, as the teams practiced once in the morning and again in the afternoon. That evening all team members and coached were bused to the Masonic Lodge for the annual banquet. After a very nice dinner, everyone was moved to the auditorium where player, coaches and honorary captains were introdued and had an opportunity to say a few words. The autographed balls were then auctioned off. The auction is always very successful due to the generosity of parents and relatives of the players. We want to thank them for that.

Saturday morning started with a beautiful day for a parade, it started right on time. All player and coaches marched in the parade. At 11:00 AM the girls game started, with the south girls out scoring the north girls 2-0. Both of the goals were scored by Millard West girls Katie Pickenpaugh and Nebraska recruit Megan Merrill. Defender Sarah Nelson from Omaha Westside assisted on the second goal and was voted the 2010 Girls Most Valuable Players by the sports writers.

The North and South boys followed the ladies; Thios was also a defensive game. The game started with a goal half way through the first half by Jake Essi from Omaha Westside. Then later in the second half Manny Lira from Omaha South broke for a goal. That made the final score 2-0 in favor of the South. Manny Lira was also voted the Boy's Most Valuable Player by the writers.

We would like to Thank all the Sponors, Parents and Relatives for all their support to the 2010 Shrine Soccer Classic. And a Special Thanks the the member of the three Shrine Centers: Sesostris, Tangier and Tehama.