Dear Gatorade,
Over the past few weeks I have spoken with [XXXXX] re: the REPLAY campaign. I am writing today on behalf of the Brophy Broncos and Marcos de Niza Padres because both teams are beyond impressed with the REPLAY program, and we’d like to share our story for consideration.
Our teams played to a scoreless tie in the 1990 Arizona 5A State Soccer Final. At the time, a shootout wasn’t permitted and the teams were crowned “Co-Champions.” The rule has since been changed and “Co-Champions” is a thing of the past — thank goodness.
So, what does a potential REPLAY of the 5A State Soccer Final mean to Gatorade, you ask?
First, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the premiere soccer players from Metro Phoenix to truly settle an old score – once and for all. But more importantly, it is an opportunity for these men who have become today’s community leaders to give back to their families, schools, neighborhoods, youth soccer clubs and everyone else who helped to shape and mold them along the way as they have gone on to become successful men, fathers and community leaders.
Today, these players continue to serve as ambassadors for the game of soccer, their schools and the towns where they grew up and many still live. Some are doctors, lawyers, lobbyists, entrepreneurs, Wall St. traders and retired professional athletes; but there is one thing more than anything that both squads want to add to their list of accomplishments:
To become a Gatorade REPLAY campaign ambassador!
The ’90 State Soccer Final featured the two best schools, in Arizona. This was the match-up everyone was secretly hoping for and the day finally arrived on Saturday, February 10, 1990. This rivalry features the best players in Arizona, and both teams were stacked top-to-bottom with the Gatorade Player-of-the-Year, All-America, All-State, All-Conference and standout club players on both rosters. The stakes were high – and the game was on!
Typically, when two trains are heading toward one another at breakneck speed you want to turn away and not look. For 80 minutes of regulation play, and 20 minutes of double-overtime, the crowd couldn’t take their eyes off the field for one second as the non-stop action swung back and forth all afternoon on the pitch.
It was an epic showdown, although if you ask Marcos they will tell you they scored a “controversial goal” that was called back. The linesmen ruled “no goal” and the second overtime ensued. At the conclusion of 100 minutes of consecutive play, the score remained “0-0 ” and rather than having a shootout (penalty kicks) to determine an undisputed winner the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) declared Brophy and Marcos “Co-Champions.”
To this day (some 19 years later), it is a sensitive and very sore topic for players, parents, families and classmates on both squads to discuss. The rivalry is as fierce today as it was in February 1990.
The score needs to be settled once and for all, and this time NO TIE is allowed!!
In response to the upcoming Easton vs. Phillipsburg REPLAY, both teams have chosen to re-assemble their ’90 squad and petition Gatorade to REPLAY the ’90 Arizona State Soccer Final. We have successfully re-assembled players from the original rosters (36 players in total) and we’re working together to make this happen.
The opportunity to square up against our fiercest opponent is a dream come true for both teams — please Gatorade, help our dream become a reality.
The potential opportunity to REPLAY our nemesis has been the greatest experience as players, classmates, school administrators and the community is abuzz about the mere “idea” of a potential re-match. Furthermore, local media is clamoring to write about this if/when Gatorade selects us for a REPLAY.
To show our unity, enthusiasm and support for the REPLAY campaign we have created a 1990 REPLAY Blog (
http://1990replay.wordpress.com
) and online petition to demonstrate our community support and unity.
- The players want this;
- The parents and families want this;
- The schools and classmates want this;
- And soccer fans across Arizona want to see this epic showdown occur one more time!
As you consider other RELAY matches, I urge you to play close attention to the Brophy-Marcos blog and petition. We are organized, motivated and have a groundswell of support at the local, regional and national level.
Most importantly, we can successfully deliver a REPLAY match that will garner tremendous community support and goodwill for all involved with the Gatorade campaign.
A Brophy vs. Marcos REPLAY represents thousands of new friends and fans Gatorade hasn’t met yet!!!!
I am anxiously awaiting your reply and look forward to speaking with you soon – let’s do this!
Yours in sport, competition and soccer,
Brian Wendel
Brophy ‘92
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