Twenty student athletes from the EVC Men's soccer team toured the State of Guanajuato, Mexico from August 28 through September 3 participating in pre-season matches and cultural activities.

Matches were played against the Tech de Monterey, Leon Campus, Club Chivas and Club Techos.  A fourth match with the University of Guanajuato was cancelled due to rain, however,  a spirited basketball match took its place.  The San Jose student-athletes from Evergreen toured the cities of Leon, Guanajuato, Silao, Irapuato Santa Rosa, and visited the small farming community of San Dieguillo where they delivered more than $300 in school supplies to children in desperate for very basic needs.

The Evergreen student-athletes were very well received in all cities visited and newspapers in the region printed articles and photographs recording their tour.  The city of Silao provided a formal reception upon their arrival including a trip to meet the Mayor.  The State of Guanajuato sponsored the entire stay including lodging, food, transportation and various cultural activities.  Activities included tours of the famous Mummies of Guanajuato,  Cubilete, Museum of the Dead, leather shops in Leon, and a tour of the city of Guanajuato a beautiful city in the Sierras built on top of miles and miles of old silver mines that now serve as the cities primary street system - all underground!  In addition, several luncheons were arranged including one in Sierra de Santa Rosa high in the mountains surrounded by incredible views.

The team recorded a win, tie and loss in their three matches while visiting this region.  However, the entire experience will be more remembered not soccer but for the warmth, kindness and beautiful culture shared by the peoples in this region.  Especially, the children of San Dieguillo their innocence, joy and desperate need for better opportunity will forever be etched in the heart of each of us.

On behalf of the Evergreen Valley College men's soccer team thank you again to the State of Guanajuato, the Mexican consulate of  San Jose, the Association de Futbol and the Cervantes family for making this incredible experience possible.

Randy Pratt