December 14, 2012 is a day that no one will ever forget as twenty-six innocent people lost their lives in a senseless shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. In the aftermath, the soccer community quickly came together with "Soccer Night in Newtown", one of the major highlights, featuring current and former American professional soccer players along with the help of Quinnipiac University soccer players and USL PDL club, CFC Azul. With that event in the past, Quinnipiac University Women's Soccer Head Coach, Dave Clarke, wanted to do more, and on March 14, bidding on the SHES26 Auction, a collection of autographed soccer jerseys, went live. In this installment of 'Five for Friday', Clarke, a regular contributor to Soccer Banter, with his weekly column, Extra Time, shares his thoughts on the auction and how he developed his passion for Celtic and Tottenham.
Soccer Banter: Why the SHES26 Auction?
Dave Clarke: Like most Connecticut residents I wanted to do something in the aftermath of the shooting to help the victims and the survivors, but coming up with an appropriate activity was difficult. Men’s coach, Eric DaCosta, and Quinnipiac alum, Chris Canetti, of the Houston Dynamo had planned the Soccer Night in Newtown, which was very well received, but it was a one off event. I wanted to come up with an idea that could be sustained in future years, involve the team, our former players, the sport itself, and most importantly honor the memory of one of the victims, Rachel D’Avino whose cousin Lauren Carmody played for me at Quinnipiac.
SB: Explain the process of securing signed shirts and what has the response been like from clubs?
Soccer Banter: Why the SHES26 Auction?
Dave Clarke: Like most Connecticut residents I wanted to do something in the aftermath of the shooting to help the victims and the survivors, but coming up with an appropriate activity was difficult. Men’s coach, Eric DaCosta, and Quinnipiac alum, Chris Canetti, of the Houston Dynamo had planned the Soccer Night in Newtown, which was very well received, but it was a one off event. I wanted to come up with an idea that could be sustained in future years, involve the team, our former players, the sport itself, and most importantly honor the memory of one of the victims, Rachel D’Avino whose cousin Lauren Carmody played for me at Quinnipiac.
SB: Explain the process of securing signed shirts and what has the response been like from clubs?
DC: My daughter Aine was the initial inspiration for collecting the #26 shirts and from a bedtime conversation with her, the SHES26 Soccer Auction has become a reality. I sent out some emails to contacts I had in the game, asking for them to donate a #26 shirt if their club had one or to make up a Sandy Hook one if they didn't. The response has been tremendous and a lot of top clubs and national teams have donated, but I appreciate every shirt that has been submitted. When one sees a shirt with the number 26 and Sandy Hook on the back the project becomes self-explanatory.
SB: What three shirts do you think will create the biggest buzz and ultimately the highest bids?
DC: The signed Lionel Messi shirt will draw a lot of interest as will the signed Manchester United shirt. As most of the publicity will be US based, I am sure the signed US men's and women's shirts will have significant interest and bids.
SB: Moving away from the auction, why do you support Celtic and Spurs?
DC: My dad has been a Tottenham supporter since the late 1940s and I fell in love with the history and status of the club at an early age. I had a Spurs pennant or poster on my wall from at least the age of five and my support for the club has grown from there. We have a season ticket in the family and my daughter Aine and son Kevin are obsessed with Spurs.
SB: What three shirts do you think will create the biggest buzz and ultimately the highest bids?
DC: The signed Lionel Messi shirt will draw a lot of interest as will the signed Manchester United shirt. As most of the publicity will be US based, I am sure the signed US men's and women's shirts will have significant interest and bids.
SB: Moving away from the auction, why do you support Celtic and Spurs?
DC: My dad has been a Tottenham supporter since the late 1940s and I fell in love with the history and status of the club at an early age. I had a Spurs pennant or poster on my wall from at least the age of five and my support for the club has grown from there. We have a season ticket in the family and my daughter Aine and son Kevin are obsessed with Spurs.
My parents were also members of the Celtic Supporters Club in the early 1970’s and I grew up listening to people who had seen the Lisbon Lions play and the stature of the team as well as the Irish angle drew me in. Most Irish fans had a soft spot for Celtic, but when I traveled to games most preferred to watch the English First Division as it was at the time.
It was always assumed that over time I would pick one over the other, but with them playing in different leagues I have never had to decide. The Champions League era has meant that seeing and supporting Celtic has become easier, but I try to watch every SPL game on line and genuinely have an interest in the league. Obviously it is a lot easier to be a Spurs fan because they are in the EPL and the coverage the league receives in the US.
Don't ask me which one I would choose in a competitive game. I don't think I could decide.
SB: Who will win the Champions League?
DC: I think a lot will depend on the draw. The usual suspects are Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Bayern Munich, but one of them will be out this week and two of them could be drawn to face each other in the next round. I think the winner of the United-Real game will be the favorite, but Munich and Dortmund will be a threat. A Real Madrid/Man United v Bayern Munich final would be one for the neutral. If Barcelona can come back against Milan and Tito Villanova returns to the sidelines then I can see them regaining the trophy.
Bid on a SHES26 Jersey
It was always assumed that over time I would pick one over the other, but with them playing in different leagues I have never had to decide. The Champions League era has meant that seeing and supporting Celtic has become easier, but I try to watch every SPL game on line and genuinely have an interest in the league. Obviously it is a lot easier to be a Spurs fan because they are in the EPL and the coverage the league receives in the US.
Don't ask me which one I would choose in a competitive game. I don't think I could decide.
SB: Who will win the Champions League?
DC: I think a lot will depend on the draw. The usual suspects are Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Bayern Munich, but one of them will be out this week and two of them could be drawn to face each other in the next round. I think the winner of the United-Real game will be the favorite, but Munich and Dortmund will be a threat. A Real Madrid/Man United v Bayern Munich final would be one for the neutral. If Barcelona can come back against Milan and Tito Villanova returns to the sidelines then I can see them regaining the trophy.
Bid on a SHES26 Jersey
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