Young Goalkeepers killed in car accidents to be honored in Newport News soccer tournament
As a part of the Peninsula-area soccer community for 25 years, Al Cousineau calls it “bittersweet” to host the Keeper’s Cup Futsal Tournament at the barely more than 1-year-old HR Sportsplex in Newport News, where he is managing partner.
The 5 vs. 5 tournament, set for Saturday and Sunday at the complex featuring 30,000 square feet of field space, will raise money for the foundations of two young goalkeepers killed in car accidents caused by what tournament co-founder Tammy Gweedo called “districted drivers.”
Gweedo expects the foundations to raise $10,000 through the tournament and silent auction (www.32auctions.com/KeepersCup2022). Auction prizes include sports tickets, a $2,700 necklace donated by Simply Unique Jewelry Designs and an obedience training package from Off Leash K9 Training, both of Yorktown.
Cousineau coached Conner Gweedo (or Guido), the goalkeeper at Tabb High when he died in 2019, on the club level. He is longtime friends with Marcy Messick, mom of Luke Messick — a keeper for Kecoughtan, Randolph-Macon College and Lionsbridge FC — who was killed in a 2021 car accident.
“I’m honored to be able to do this, but it’s heartbreaking to have these kinds of stories aligned to our soccer community,” Cousineau said. “It’s bittersweet in the sense that these two wonderful young people had their lives cut short.
“They were both leaders on their teams and both had everything to look forward to. We get connected to their stories, and because you know them, it takes on more of a personal meaning for you, so I’m honored to do this.”
Luke Messick’s story, Cousineau says, is of a good-natured young man who followed his soccer dream, then wanted to give back. So he aligned himself with an orphanage in Ghana to provide used soccer equipment.
Since his death, Luke Messick’s mom and dad, David Messick, created Luke Messick Futbol Charities (757-725-1767, lukemessickfc.com). In addition to raising money providing educational and soccer supplies to students in Accra, Ghana, the charity increasingly funds college and summer team camp scholarships.
“Luke had a heart of gold, so we’re glad to have a way to make a difference the way he would have,” David Messick said before the 2021 Keeper’s Cup.
Cousineau is as impressed with the work Tammy Gweedo has done in her son’s memory to improve driver’s education in the state for students and their parents since her son was killed with two other boys in a crash following Tabb’s 2019 homecoming dance.
Since creating the Gweedo Memorial Foundation (757-812-4455 or connergweedo.com), she has successfully lobbied the Virginia General Assembly to pass two laws.
Conner’s Law prohibits schools from issuing parking permits to unlicensed drivers. The other law, passed this summer, requires public high school students to watch a 90-minute film on driver safety, while encouraging their parents to do so too.
Gweedo says the ifyouseesomethingsaysomething.org website she created is now drawing responses as far away as Texas. It allows teenagers to anonymously report driving violations by their peers without fear of retaliation.
“I feel proud to continue to be able to give back to the community through this tournament,” she said. “I think Conner would want me to do this.”
Cousineau said tournament entries are up to 30 teams — ages 12 to adults — and almost 300 players. In addition to competitive soccer, he feels most on hand will be affected by the foundations’ efforts.
“I think the idea of spreading the greater message of living with purpose and giving back to the community hits all of those people who come and are a part of it,” Cousineau said. “It’s not just the kids, but their families who see things like the ‘If You See Something Say Something’ program and become a part.
“I’m glad to be a very small part of what they do.”
For more information: About Luke Messick Futbol Charities: phone 757-725-1767 or go to lukemessickfc.com
About the Gweedo Memorial Foundation: phone 757-812-4455 or go to connergweedo.com
To go to the online auction or raffle: www.32auctions.com/KeepersCup2022
To attend the Keeper’s Cup Futsal Tournament: HR Sportsplex, 630 79th St., Newport News, 757-586-5001. More than 60 games will be played on Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.