**** Coach Lea asked that I post the followin excerpt from his email *****
Hello Coaches, Volunteers, and Committee Members-
To our visiting teams:
Well, what can I say....this was about the worst case scenario we could have dreamed up, and we got it. To give you a quick breakdown - this morning, the district pulled Harry Parone Stadium out of use. The AD pulled our game field at the same time (all about 7am). Columbia United FC entrusted us to make the call but to take care of their fields, and they were getting standing water at 6:30am. I met with the AD before 7am, and we looked at the radar one more time before making the final call. It showed huge amounts of rain coming throughout the morning, so we had to make the final call to cancel. The only bright spot I can see is that we have gotten even more rain than we expected. Our two SV fields are almost completely under water right now, as is one of the CUFC fields. The other CUFC field and HP stadium are both soggy with maybe 25% standing water. Overall, everything has become even more unplayable than we thought likely.
That all being said, we do apologize to all of the teams involved. We know that the competition you see here is very important to getting your teams ready to begin the season. Please know that we did everything we could to try to get games played. This is the first time we have ever had to cancel more than just a game or two during the Cup, and it was very hard for me to have to make that call. I sincerely hope that all of you will plan on joining us again next year. Mathematically, it would seem that, after the last two years, we are due some good weather for a few years!
I had messages from a couple of coaches about an all-tournament team, and I asked several coaches their thoughts. All said they did not want to name someone based only on one match, so we will not name a team this season.
To my tournament committee and volunteers:
I know how you feel about all of the time, effort, and expense you have put in - I'm sick we could not pull it off. However, you all did a wonderful job as usual. Some of you have asked about not turning in your committee expense receipts, and I appreciate those thoughts tremendously. The tournament will lose money this year, but I do not expect any of you to help foot the bill.....it's a risk we take and we know it up front. Again, though, thank you for the generous offers and for all of your tireless efforts!! Without your efforts and your hundreds of volunteers this event could never take place.
A final thanks (and apology) to all involved, and we hope to come back as strong as ever next year! Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.
Steve
Stephen A. Lea
Social Studies Department
National Board Certified Teacher
Head Coach, Girls Varsity Soccer
Director, Taco Bell Viking Cup
Spring Valley High School
120 Sparkleberry Lane
Columbia, SC 29229
803-699-3500 ext. 69261
slea@svh.richland2.org
(Steve, please ship the plaque ASAP). There will be a little less luster and shine to that award, knowing that we did not have to go through Mauldin, TL Hanna, South Aiken, Hilton Head or Spring Valley to earn it. 
