July 28, 2006

MILWAUKEE - MILWAUKEE -- The Excellency Clinic, run by Marquette Soccer assistant coach Khaled El-Ahmad, held its second fund raising tournament on June 30 and raised $1,500 for local soccer programs.

"It is a program we started to give soccer programs the ability to do something extra. From a European trip to new uniforms," El-Ahmad said.

Over 100 area youth participated in the tournament, held at Engelmann Field on the campus of the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

"It was a great event and I would like to thank everyone involved," El-Amad added.

The success of the June 30 event parallels that of a fund raising tournament held in May.

El-Ahmad, along with fellow Excellency Clinic organizers Ryan Seymour and Chris Dadaian, will be hosting another fund-raising event, scheduled for Oct. 13-14 in another 3-on-3 street-style soccer tournament.

"We have now had two great tournaments all setting the platform for the largest one yet," El-Ahmad said. "This has the potential to be the biggest 3v3 fundraiser tournament in the U.S."

The Excellency Clinic will host another 3-on-3 fundraising tournament on Oct. 13-14, with a goal of raising $10,000 for Grassroot Soccer.

Two-time Survivor cast member and director of Grassroot Soccer (www.grassrootsoccer.ort) Ethan Zohn will appear at the October fund raising event. Proceeds from the event will benefit Grassroot Soccer. Grassroot Soccer is a non-profit organization that reaches hundreds of thousands of children in numerous countries with potentially life-saving information about HIV prevention.

Zohn, in addition to winning Survivor: Africa, is also the host of a very successful program Fox Soccer on Fox Soccer Channel.

"I am so proud that we will be able to help such a great organization and I want to thank Ethan for taking his time to visit us. He is also working on bringing Fox Soccer Channel to the tournament which would just add to the success of our event," El-Ahmad concluded.

The October 13-14 tournament is going to bring in over 300 participants with the goal to raise more than $10,000. The Marquette men's soccer team will wear a custom jersey against Seton Hall that will be auctioned of for Grassroot Soccer.

If you want to participate, help, donate or you just find out more information on the Excellency Clinic, visit www.excellencyclinic.com