The problem of finding qualified officials has affected sporting events across the country and now that problem has found its way to Muscatine.
The shortage of qualified officials has forced the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department to postpone this year’s College Search Kickoff (CSK).
CSK has provided 24 years of elite competition under the watchful eyes of hundreds of scouts from all divisions of the college ranks.
“This has been a premier event every summer and we were set to host another tremendous CSK experience for players, coaches, scouts, parents, and fans,” Rich Klimes, Parks and Recreation Director, said. “However, as much as we wanted this event to happen, we will not compromise on providing those attending the best possible experience.”
While the premier fields of the Muscatine Soccer Complex were prepped and ready for the hundreds of athletes and college coaches that were scheduled to be on hand Thursday through Sunday (July 21-24), Klimes says the event will return next year.
“While we are disappointed that we could not stage this event this year, we are already looking forward to 2023,” Klimes said.
The CSK invitational showcase has provided youth soccer players the opportunity to be recruited to collegiate teams since its inaugural year in 1996.