Exhibition soccer game evolves into an August event

What began last summer as a bold experiment has blossomed into a full-fledged sense of community pride — and a powerful source of inspiration for young athletes across the Flathead Valley.

On Saturday, Aug. 2, and Sunday, Aug.  3, Columbia Falls will once again host a pair of NCAA Division I women’s soccer powers — the University of Montana and the U.S. Air Force Academy — for a weekend of soccer clinics and an exhibition match at Flip Darling Memorial Field in Columbia Falls. It’s part of the second annual Glacier Park College Soccer Showcase, and organizers are hoping for another sold-out crowd.

“Last year we just wanted to see if we could pull it off,” said event founder and Columbia Falls head Coach O’Brien Byrd. “When the game ended, Montana coach Chris Citowicki came up to me and said, ‘Let’s do it again next year.’ That’s when I realized we had something special.”

The weekend kicks off with youth soccer clinics Saturday morning and afternoon. College coaches and players from both Montana and Air Force will lead sessions for kids ages 5–18. The Air Force Academy clinic runs from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., followed by the Montana Grizzlies from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Each session is $50, or $90 for both.

“This isn’t just a copy-paste from last year,” Byrd said. “These are unique clinics where kids will meet D-I players, get photos with them, and receive coaching from some of the best in the game. It’s hands-on, personal, and designed to inspire.”

Then on Sunday, Aug. 3, the two programs square off in a highly anticipated exhibition game. Gates open at 5 p.m. with kickoff set for 7 p.m. Ticket sales are already underway, and Byrd expects another capacity crowd of 1,500 fans — a figure that topped the attendance of some home matches for both programs last season.

Making it all possible is a collaborative effort between Byrd, Rob Brisendine, event promoter and founder of the Bigfork Rodeo, and a dedicated team of parent and student volunteers. The entire event is operated through a nonprofit, where funds raised are to help with operations, to cover some of the costs for the college teams, and to give back to the community. The entire event is operated through a nonprofit, with no one profiting from the proceeds.

“Our high school players and their families help with ticketing, field setup, breakdown — it’s a massive effort,” Byrd said. “And we’re treating this like a professional setup. We’ve got NCAA-certified referees flying in, Air Force Color Guard, a professional announcer, locker rooms, halftime presentations — even some surprises we can’t talk about yet. Let’s just say the Air Force is coming in hot.”

Malstrom Air Force in Great Falls is going to play a part in the game as well, naturally to support the Air Force Academy. Naturally, they will be rolling out the Montana red carpet for their cadets from Colorado Springs.