Soccer is all the rage. With the FIFA World Cup being hosted in North America, the buzz for international soccer radiates through the summer air. This Friday, June 10th, BYUI is hosting the first-ever soccer Unity Cup. The event is a fast-paced soccer tournament comprised of four teams of international students: Team USA, Team Euro-Asia, Team Latin America, and Team Africa. 

The event came as a result of the campus recreation advisors wanting to host an event that showcased the Campus Recreation theme, United as one.

"The reason why we chose to do the Unity Cup," Shelby Reynolds, an elementary education major and Sports Rec event coordinator, said. "Is so we can highlight the amazing diversity we have at BYU-Idaho."

Prior to the start time, Campus Rec is hosting a tailgate at 6 pm in the Hart parking lot. The event starts at 6:30 with the women’s showcase, which will include a quick match between a women’s Idaho and USA team.

In the first round of the Unity Cup, the USA and Euro-Asia teams will face off, as well as Latin America and Africa teams in 15-minute matches. The winners of those matches will face off in the final game immediately after for the title of Unity Cup winner. 

The tagline, ‘Pack the Stadium’, encourages all students to come support their fellow students and show pride for their country. Students wearing merchandise that represents their country will receive free admission to the event; otherwise, tickets can be purchased on the BYUI Ticket Office website for $3.

Disclosure: Taryn Pomeroy is an employee of BYU-Idaho Student Activities, which is involved in the Unity Cup.