A very special and ongoing partnership continues this week when Colorado College again serves as host of  Soccer Without Borders Weekend in conjunction with the four-team CC Invitational at Stewart Field.

Soccer Without Borders is a non-profit organization based in San Francisco, Calif., that utilizes the sport as a vehicle for positive change in the lives of marginalized youth. It works locally and internationally to help young people develop their bodies, voices and minds. There currently are project sites in New York and Oakland, Calif., as well as Nicaragua, Uganda, Zambia and El Salvador.

This specially designated weekend at CC – when the Tigers play Texas Christian University on Friday and the nationally ranked University of Kansas on Sunday – is an awareness event and fundraiser for the program in Granada, Nicaragua.

While Soccer Without Borders t-shirts ($20) and scarves ($15) will be on sale, donations of gently used soccer equipment also will be accepted. Cones, balls and pinnies (bibs) are some of the most important items needed, although other equipment including cleats, jerseys, goalkeeper gear, referee gear and training accessories (i.e. pugs, speed ladders, etc.) are greatly appreciated. Again, please bring only gently worn and used equipment.

In addition, fans also can find out more about SWB from an information table at the top of the hill overlooking Stewart Field.

Soccer Without Borders began working in Granada in 2006 and developed a girls specific soccer program there in spring 2008. Granada representative, Suyen Largaespada, supervises programming throughout the year with 10 SWB-trained Nicaraguan youth leaders and U.S. volunteers. Current Tigers Jessie Kautz and Sarah Wolff made a 10-day trip there last March and are planning to volunteer again for a month in spring of 2010. CC assistant coach April Kater also has been involved in the initiative for the last two years.

For more information on Soccer Without Borders, contact info@soccerwithoutborders.org or visit the Web site at www.soccerwithoutborders.org.