Keith Schwab was dedicated to the Haddonfield sports community, especially soccer. His sudden passing on May 27, at 45 years old, left close family, friends and other community members in shock.
Schwab was avidly involved in youth sports, serving as a board member on Haddonfield Youth Basketball Association, as president of the Haddonfield Soccer Club and coaching various youth travel teams.
To memorialize Schwab and his efforts to keep the game of soccer alive and fun for children, the seventh annual Haddonfield Soccer Kick-Off Classic, which will be held on Saturday, Aug. 24, was renamed the Keith Schwab Memorial Kick-Off Classic.
“This year, when he passed suddenly in May, a number of people, headed by Lisa Hurly, stepped in. She wanted to run the tournament because it was important to Keith. It was such a big part of the kids’ experience in starting soccer,” said Dave Cappelli, former president of the club.
Hurly said her husband Steve and Schwab were best friends for 28 years, starting out as roommates at Swarthmore College. She said Schwab met his wife, Leslie at Swarthmore, and moved two blocks away from the Hurlys.
“They were like brothers to each other,” Hurly said, adding she knew she had to step up to continue the tournament.
According to Hurly, the tournament was designed as a one-day event for younger teams to play to get ready for the start of the fall season.
Cappelli, who temporarily stepped back into his former role to help after Schwab’s passing, said the first tournament was held in the summer of 2006.
The board began discussing the idea for the tournament in the fall of 2005, bringing in approximately 20 teams on the U9 and U10 level. He said four years later, the organization brought in approximately 50 teams.
“That was maximum capacity for us,” said Jim Dugan, former president and one of the founders of the tournament.
He said Schwab took over as president in 2010, but was avidly involved in helping before he took the position.
Dugan said there are many factors when it comes to setting up the tournament. From insurance, approval from the South Jersey Soccer League, organizing and managing games and more, the responsibilities involved in the tournament are boundless.
Dugan said in 2012, the tournament might have been cancelled if it weren’t for Schwab’s dedication to keep it going. Hurly said he singlehandedly organized and ran the event that year.
“It was something he really believed in and felt was very important for all of the kids. He made it happen and kept it going,” Dugan said.
According to Dugan, one year there was a terrible thunderstorm and seven teams ended up playing that Saturday on fields in surrounding towns. The other 43 teams played the following day at Crows Woods.
He said Schwab was instrumental during that day, showing his passion for the tournament.
“He must have driven back and forth to Home Depot filling up the truck with sand and bringing it to Crows Woods,” Dugan said. Schwab and an army of people spread sand on wet areas of the field and placed plywood on muddy areas for people to walk around the complex.
“That’s when the passion for the tournament started,” Dugan said.
For Schwab, it was about younger children, at any skill level, getting the experience needed for the start of fall. Most would shy away from a tournament because it might be their first time playing.
The tournament has a “less intense sort of feel to it” when compared to larger tournaments — all players receive a participation trophy, there are no winners or losers and there are no championship winners. It’s an opportunity for “kids, parents and coaches to get their feet wet,” Dugan said.
Hurly wanted to continue to honor Schwab and his family for his community involvement and passion for seeing all children have equal opportunities to play.
She said the name of the tournament was changed because it was his passion.
With a few weeks left until the start of the tournament, there are approximately 20 teams signed up in U9, U10 and U11 boys and girls travel soccer tournaments. Hurly said there are a few U8 teams registered.
This year, the tournament has an addition to involve the entire family.
Hurly said because of Schwab’s involvement in the community, she wanted to attract more people to the tournament than only soccer players and their families.
There will be food and beverages, games, bounces, soccer skills training, face painting and more. Proceeds from the event will be designated for scholarships to Schwab’s three children, and the remainder of the funds will be given to two soccer players to help fund an entire year of soccer.
“It was something that meant a lot to him, and we didn’t want it to go away,” Hurly said.
The event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 24, at Crows Woods Field on East Atlantic Avenue near Upland Way. The rain date is Aug. 25.
For more information or to register for the event, visit www.haddonfieldsoccer.org.
