VIP

Is it safe to assume that everyone knows about “ward ball?”  It is infamous in Mormon culture.  It’s the forum where grown men meet on a basketball court and act like they are still in high school.  Not so popular, or even well known, is “ward ball” taken to the soccer field.  This attracts an entirely different group of men as most of them look like they are still in high school.  They are young and fit and stylish; so this speaks volumes of Kevin’s soccer skills to be included in this club.  The way Kevin describes it is, “There are two teams - the “A” team, and the “old mans” team . . of which I am team captain.”  (I apologize to the other team members for lumping you into the title of “old mans” team.  I also apologize if someone else is actually the team captain.  I can only go by what Kevin tells me.)  For the past two years, these men have been meeting late Monday nights to play indoor soccer games. These men LOVE soccer.  Many of them are passing down their passion for the game to the next generation.  Last Saturday, four of these men were squared off coaching their 7 & 8 year old boys’ indoor soccer teams.  Sadly, Coach Kevin was at work when our team finally got their first win!  The game was so exciting it put one of the coach’s wives in labor! The other team’s coach pointed out that at one time they only had three players on the court.  Yea, we noticed.  And we didn’t care!  We finally won!

Saturday night Kevin was given total VIP treatment to the LA Galaxy game with the “soccer hooligans.” Josh and Ben were invited to join in the fun. (Sam was recovering from his big win.) Probably a little concerned about spending the night with dad’s friends, Josh asked me who was going.  I only had to mention Ryan’s name, the master planner, for Josh to say, “that’s cool.  I’m good.”  It’s true.  These guys are the epitome of cool.  And they have their standards.  When they picked up Kevin from work and discovered that he had scrub bottoms on, they walked him into the nearest Ross, and 10 minutes later Kevin was sporting a $26 pair of Calvin Klein jeans. (I’m not sure who will be more embarrassed by that detail . . Kevin, or the guys who wouldn’t be caught dead in a $26 pair of jeans from Ross.)  Kevin’s wardrobe was just the beginning.  Every detail of the evening was perfectly orchestrated: Transportation in the Skull Candy 12 passenger van, Dinner at 5 Guys, VIP passes for the Hegewald boys onto the field to watch the players warm up (imagine standing an arms length away from David Beckham), Goody bags with every type of Galaxy paraphernalia imaginable, Box seats to watch the game, and somehow they even arranged Beckham to bend one into the goal.  Amazing!!  Or as my boys would say,“waaay awesome.” 

Thank you Ryan for organizing, thank you Jared for knowing the right people, thank you Jeff for chauffeuring, and thank you friends for loving soccer, but loving Kevin even more!!

Down on the field with LA Galaxy

Soccer Hooligans at 5 Guys Burgers

Beckham running to shake Kevin's hand

If you haven’t seen Kevin this week . .that’s a good thing!  He has spent everyday working in the Emergency Room (8 shifts in 9 days), so for your sakes, I hope you haven’t seen him.  He says he’s feeling great, and I think he is still on a “galaxy high.”  Round 4 chemo coming up on Monday, May 23rd.  “Go Yondalis!!”