Soccer Scrimmage Between Park University and Rockhurst University to Support Humanitarian Effort in Ukraine

Park University’s women’s soccer team is coming together with Rockhurst University at Julian Field on Park’s flagship Parkville, Mo., Campus on Saturday, April 2, at 10 a.m. for a scrimmage with a greater cause. Both teams will be “Kicking for Ukraine” to raise money to support the humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.

The Pirates are coming off of a 2-10-1 season in their second year in the Heart of America Athletic Conference, while Rockhurst, an NCAA Division II school, is a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference, finishing 6-10-2 this past season.

Both teams will take their stand on the pitch with a bigger picture in mind, playing in solidarity for the relief of the conflict in Ukraine. Head coaches Ken Hefner, Park, and Greg Herdlick, Rockhurst, have teamed up to organize the event.

Players will be wearing the Ukrainian colors inspired by the country’s flag — Park in yellow and Rockhurst in blue.

Donations are encouraged at the gate and will be sent to Lenexa, Kan., based Heart to Heart International, an organization that seeks to improve health care access in the U.S. and around the world by ensuring quality care is provided equitably in medically under-resourced communities and in disaster situations. Donations can also be made directly to Heart to Heart International at https://give.communityfunded.com/o/heart-to-heart-international/i/humanitarian-response.

All proceeds will go toward the most urgent Ukrainian needs as a priority, including the delivery of medicine, medical supplies and humanitarian aid. Some funds are also expected to go toward women’s and youth soccer programs in Ukraine.