A Community Gathers in Memory of a Young Star
Every September, the Jason Soucek Memorial Soccer Tournament draws players, families, and fans to Nunn Field in Middlesex County, Virginia, to honor a young athlete whose promise was cut short. Jason Soucek, a Christchurch School graduate of the Class of 1992, was celebrated for excelling in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse, earning Best All‑Around Athlete honors before his untimely death in 1996 while attending Roanoke College.
The tournament, now a staple of the regional sports calendar, features a slate of matches that pit local schools against one another while weaving in the memories of Soucek’s family and friends. This year’s edition opens on Friday, September 4, at 4 p.m., with St. Mary’s Ryken of Leonardtown, Maryland, taking on St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School from Alexandria, Virginia.
Match Schedule and Venues
The Friday contest determines which team will meet Christchurch School on Saturday, September 5, at 11 a.m. The victor of that game then faces Christchurch at 3 p.m. The layout of the event ensures a full day of competition on the historic Nunn Field, a scenic spot that overlooks the Rappahannock River and serves as the heart of the community’s gathering.
All matches are free and open to the public, inviting anyone to witness the spirit of camaraderie that the tournament embodies. The event’s location at Christchurch School, situated at 49 Seahorse Lane in Middlesex County, provides a fitting backdrop for a celebration that blends sport, remembrance, and local tradition.
Family members and staff of the Soucek family are deeply involved, with Finley Caisse, Manu Vieytez Arguello, Marcie Soucek Eberline, Claudia Soucek, Archie Soucek, and Billy Coyle (Head of School) contributing to the organization and atmosphere. Their presence underscores the personal connections that bind the community to Jason’s legacy.
Beyond the games, the tournament serves as a broader homage to athletic excellence and the values Jason exemplified — teamwork, perseverance, and joy in competition. As the community looks forward to each new edition, the event continues to reinforce a shared commitment to honoring a young star whose influence endures on and off the field.