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SPORTS
Manchin: Event serves as a chance to see reality of W.Va.
Gov. Joe Manchin speaks during opening ceremonies of the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships Thursday, July 2, 2009, at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
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HUNTINGTON -- As 20,000-plus visitors make their way to the area for the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships, many already have a pre-conceived notion as to what and who West Virginians are.
After Thursday's opening ceremonies, Gov. Joe Manchin said that this week serves as a chance for individuals from 13 different states and 282 teams to see the true West Virginia.
"They come here with a perception and a stereotype that has been hung unfairly, but they walk away with reality," Manchin said. "That's what really sells our state."
In talking about the tournament's impact, much has been made of the athletic benefits and the economic intake of an estimated $12.5 million into the area, but not as much was talked about the sociological impact of the tournament.
The state gave a total of $1.8 million to get the project ready, and Manchin noted it certainly was a great investment, but he also stated that some of the sociological benefits are just as important to this week's tournament as the almighty dollar.
"Some of these people will never see another part of our state, but they will know West Virginia by what they see in Cabell County, Huntington, Barboursville and the surrounding areas," Manchin said. "We have to put our best foot forward wherever we are.
"I am confident when they walk away that they will be impressed and that they will never forget the quality of service and friendliness of the people they have received."
Bart Nason, head coach of the Dix Hills (N.Y.-East) Thunder U-14 squad, said that he had been to West Virginia before to go whitewater rafting on the Gauley River.
While he noted that his hometown and the Mountain State are completely different, he said that in his experiences, it was a welcome change from his everyday lifestyle.
"The one thing you find out here is that the people are a lot nicer, easy-going, laid-back than up in New York," Nason said. "Not knocking New Yorkers. We just walk faster, talk faster and do everything faster and that's not always the best thing in the world. You guys have it right in a lot of ways."
While New Yorkers might move faster on a regular basis, those involved with the tournament proved that West Virginians can move at a fast pace when necessary.
Even as optimistic as Manchin is on a day-to-day basis, he admitted that there was some skepticism when first given the timeline to get this particular project completed.
He said on Thursday that it took the hard work and dedication of many groups throughout the state to make the dream a reality.
"With the top quality people from senators and delegates to the mayor and to the committee and the council, I knew they were committed to getting this done because the window was open. They put their hearts and souls into it," Manchin said. "I'm grateful on behalf of the state of West Virginia to be able to showcase the state, the county, the cities of Huntington and Barboursville and Marshall University. It's unbelievable.
"The people here have taken the bull by the horns. They haven't waited for someone to do it for them. They came and asked me as the governor of the state if I'd participate and be a partner. They didn't ask us to do the whole thing.
"Any time you have people willing to help themselves, you are going to have the best partner ever and that's the entire state."
