An already vibrant 2027 schedule for national sports events in Huntsville is getting crowded as 360 teams, an estimated 15-16,000 visitors and a projected $9 million addition to city business coffers will arrive for a two week summer soccer tournament that year. The dates for the tournament are June 29 – July 3, 2027. 

At a press conference on a humid Friday morning, with sectional soccer tournament action serving as the backdrop, it was announced the 2027 American Youth Soccer Association (AYSO) national tournament will be played at Merrimack Park and the Loretta Spencer Sports Complex.

“Huge event,’’ Huntsville Sports Commission Executive Director Mark Russell said. “At $9,000,000, I would think that it’s one of the bigger events we’ve had. It’s the biggest soccer event we’ve held for sure.’’

The AYSO national tournament joins at least four other national events coming to the Rocket City in 2027 – the World Amateur Disc Golf Championships, National Beach Volleyball Championships, collegiate Division II National Cross Country Championships and the DII Soccer Championships for men and women.

“Over the years, Huntsville has established itself as one of the leading soccer destinations in the Southeast,’’ Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said. “Whether the strength of our local clubs, hosting the Alabama high school state championships, or our team Huntsville City FC, our city is a known commodity in the soccer world.

He added, “Over the years, we’ve invested in building these facilities to make sure our children have the venues to chase their dreams while also creating opportunities like this to show how great our city is to all of the families coming in to compete for the championship. Those investments continue to pay dividends.’’

AYSO President Doug Ryan said when the group was looking for a site for the 2027 tournament, picking Huntsville was a “very simple decision with the city’s attractions and other amenities.” He added the tournament will be a boon for hotels, restaurants and other sites.

“Some families plan their vacation around the tournament,’’ he said. 

When looking for a destination, Ryan said several factors come into play.

“The ability to support the games, and it’s not just about the games,’’ he said. “What else does the community have to offer? What’s the tourism opportunities? I think NASA’s got a presence here and some other events. And we try to ensure that we’re being inclusive across the country and not always in the same spot.’’

He also noted that businesses interested in supporting the event are encouraged to get involved—highlighting how, at a recent national tournament, even a local laundromat offered discounts to the 800–1,000 referees who traveled from as far as California.

Any business interested in sponsoring or offering deals for the tournament can email www.director@aysoarea5c.org. The city expects to fill 8,000 hotel rooms during the championships.

“We’ve never had anything like this,’’ said Joel Lamp of the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber. “And we’re not done, yet.’’

In a moment that has͏ sparked widespread conversation, former͏ NFL MVP Cam Newton publicly criticized New York Giants rookie Cam Skattebo and other Gen-Z ͏athletes for what he views as a growing disconnect͏ from the͏ history of the sport. The remarks came after a viral moment involving Skattebo revealed just how unfamiliar some young players are with NFL legends.

Cam Newton Questions Gen-Z’s Connection to NFL History

The incident began when Skattebo, a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, appeared on the St. Brown Bros. podcast and failed to recognize Hall of Famer Calvin “Megatron” Johnson. The clip quickly circulated, prompting Newton to respond on his own podcast, 4th&1. His message was clear and direct: today’s athletes are not students of the game.

“They not fans of the game,” Newton said. “These kids, they playing video games all day. Have you ever heard of Chad Ochocinco? Have you heard of Terrell Owens? Have you heard of Steve Smith? Have you heard of Prime Time?”

Newton’s comments weren’t limited to Skattebo alone. He used the moment to highlight what he sees as a generational issue. Many younger players, he argued, are so immersed in social media and video games that they fail to appreciate the foundational figures of the NFL. Short-form content on platforms like YouTube and the absence of historical depth in sports video games have, in his view, reduced reverence for the game’s greats.

To address this in his͏ own household, Newton shared a ͏rule he’s now set for ͏his children: “You g͏otta͏ dedicate 30 minutes or an hour to studying the sport that you want to play,” said Newton.

͏By doing so, ͏he hopes to ͏eliminate misconceptions and͏ ensure that they recognize the trailblazers who came before.

While Newton did express some sympathy toward Skattebo, acknowledging that most of what he’s come across has likely been through YouTube and that football is “a masked sport,” he still emphasized that players need to actively seek out knowledge of the game’s past. He noted that unlike NBA or soccer players, NFL athletes often remain hidden behind helmets, making recognition difficult without prior learning.

Newton also touched on how changing video game content has impacted young fans’ understanding. In earlier versions of Madden, players could relive iconic moments like “The Drive” or “The Immaculate Reception.” Now, commercial game modes like Ultimate Team have taken center stage, pushing history further into the background.

Ultimately, Newton’s critique wasn’t just a rebuke. It was a call to action. “There’s so much that kids don’t understand,” he said, stressing the importance of historical awareness for players who hope to leave a meaningful legacy in the league.

CONWAY, Ark. – Central Arkansas Track and Field head coach Josey Weaver was announced as the 2024-25 winner of the Raymond Bright Award this morning. The honor comes after a dominant season for the Bears, led by Weaver and his staff.
 
Weaver and the Bears swept the ASUN Track and Field Championships this year, both the indoor and outdoor titles, claiming both men’s and women’s title sweeps for the first ASUN championships in program history. With a dedicated staff and roster, Weaver’s squads continue to build the brand of Central Arkansas track and field, rewriting a good chunk of the program’s record books over his first three seasons in Conway. On a conference level, freshman Jeremiah Boudreaux earned Most Valuable Performer at both championships, and sophomore Joia Perry earned both the indoor and outdoor Most Outstanding Field Performer awards.
 
“I am extremely grateful and honored to receive the Raymond Bright Award. Especially after finding out about Coach Bright’s track and field background,” Coach Weaver said of the honor. “This is an individual award made possible by an incredible group of coaches, student athletes and our amazing support staff at the University of Central Arkansas. I hope to continue to honor Coach Bright’s legacy through out track and field program for years to come.”
 
Weaver is the fourth Central Arkansas coach to claim the award, and the third in the last five seasons, after Jenny Parsons in 2022 and David Kuhn in 2021.
 
“Coach Weaver is very deserving of this recognition. Sweeping the ASUN Indoor and Outdoor titles is an incredible feat in just year three,” Director of Athletics Matt Whiting said of Weaver. “Not only have his teams experienced success in competition, they have also been able to achieve high marks academically. We are fortunate to have him and his staff at UCA, and I look forward to seeing the continued success of our cross country and track and field programs under his leadership.”
 
The award is named in honor of Raymond Bright, who was one of the most successful and revered coaches in Conway’s history and impacted many lives through his dedication. A native of Hope, Bright served in the Navy during World War II. He then graduated from Arkansas State Teachers College, now the University of Central Arkansas. 
 

Bright began his coaching career at Conway Junior High School in 1949 then continued at Conway High coaching football and track from 1951 to 1958. His Wampus Cats won three track & field state championships. Bright moved across town to UCA to coach track from 1959 to 1965 and then football from 1965 to 1971. His teams won multiple AIC titles in both sports. He is a member of the Wampus Cat Sports Hall of Fame, the UCA Sports Hall of Fame, the Arkansas Track & Field Hall of Fame, and the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.