World Cup at Einstein Raises Fun and Funds

The Einstein community is a melting pot of students, postdocs, faculty and staff from all corners of the world. For the fourth, consecutive autumn, Einstein’s World Cup Soccer tournament united everyone through friendly competition featuring the world’s most popular sport.

As in previous years, the tournament took place on the mini-soccer field located behind the Price Center/Block Research Pavilion. And, the tournament entry fee paid by each team raised money to support the Teak Fellowship, a program that helps talented low-income students from New York City pursue high school and college educations. This year, the soccer tournament raised an impressive $1,300 in donations; over four years that total is more than $4,000.

This year, graduate students Henry Shikani and Carlos Deleon-Rodriguez organized the three-day tournament with help from the Einstein World Cup Committee, scheduling play among 13 co-ed teams. (Each team is required to field at least one woman among its players at all times.)

Teams typically consist of students, postdocs, faculty and staff representing countries from around the world. This year, however, some teams went beyond nations to represent locations such as Middle Earth and the Biosphere. And a first at this year’s tournament was the fielding of an all-faculty team.

Many supporters attended the games, making donations and cheering on their friends from the sidelines, while local restaurants Good to Go and M&R Deli provided food to fortify the players and warm the bellies of those watching.

The final game came down to a close match between teams representing Spain and Italy. In the end, Spain was victorious, by a score of 2-1. The winners received prizes donated from Coals, a local eatery popular with members of the Einstein community.

The real success, however, was coming together to aid a good cause through a fun, team-building activity for which many Einstein community members share a passion. In that endeavor, everyone was a winner!