Putnam City Soccer Teams Unite Against Cancer Soccer teams from all three district high schools are joining together to host the Putnam City “United Against Cancer” Soccer Classic, a day of outstanding high school soccer games designed to raise funds for cancer research. The Putnam City “United Against Cancer” Soccer Classic will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at Putnam City Stadium, 5300 N.W. 50th. Admission is $5. Elementary and middle school students wearing their school shirts will be admitted free of charge.
The event matches four Putnam City teams against four top-notch opponents in exhibition-length games - 25-minute halves and 5-minute halftimes. Each Putnam City team will wear pink jerseys to emphasize the meaning of the event. The schedule of games looks like this:
• 4:30 p.m., Putnam City High Girls vs. Northwest Classen
• 6 p.m., Putnam City North Boys vs. Southmoore
• 7 p.m., Putnam City High Boys vs. Edmond Santa Fe
• 8 p.m., Putnam City West Boys vs. Norman High School
 The event provides a great opportunity for people wanting to watch high-level high school soccer. All three Putnam City boys’ soccer teams went to the playoffs last year, a fact unlikely to faze their opponents. Edmond Santa Fe won the 6A state title last year and is looking to repeat, Norman High is a top contender for the title this year and Southmoore’s rising program brings talent and experience that makes them a tough draw for any team. The girl’s game features a Putnam City High girls’ team that went to the playoffs two years ago - and is intent on returning again this year - taking on an improving Northwest Classen team.
While the event is all about soccer, those involved are keenly focused on the real purpose: raising funds for cancer research.
“I’ve had relatives who have either died from cancer or have battled it and survived. Participating in this event gives me the opportunity to do my small part in helping find a cure for this terrible disease,” says John Hoge, Putnam City West’s boys’ soccer coach.
Eddie Wright, boys’ soccer coach at Putnam City High, concurs with Hoge.
“We’re looking at this game as an opportunity to do something valuable, not for ourselves, but for others,” says Wright.
Wright’s colleague at Putnam City High, girls’ coach Natalie Johnston, says fighting cancer is something her team understands. The team is playing their season in honor of recently retired Putnam City High math teacher Debbie Ocker, who is fighting cancer.
“Athletics is about much more than playing a game. We’re here to teach our players about the world and how to work hard, put the good of the team above yourself and always find ways to make any situation better. As a team, we learn to fight every battle as a team. Cancer is a battle that no one should fight on their own. We want to do whatever we can to beat it,” Johnston says.
As is the case with all activities that are part of Putnam City’s Cancer Fund Drive, proceeds from the Putnam City “United Against Cancer” Soccer Classic go to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF). Since 1975 Putnam City has worked with the OMRF in the battle against cancer. To date, Putnam City students, teachers and administrators have raised more than $2.7 million to support OMRF’s cancer research efforts. Putnam City’s donations have purchased a vast array of sophisticated laboratory equipment, including centrifuges, microscopes and incubators, and also established an endowed chair at OMRF, the Putnam City Schools Chair in Cancer Research.
“Cancer crosses all gender and age barriers. It doesn’t care if you’re black, white, tall, short, young or old. It has no religious preferences and it in some way touches almost every American. For all the students who take part in this event, and for all the people who come to watch, this is a way to be part of an important, meaningful cause,” says Tom Pecore, boys’ soccer coach at Putnam City North.
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