Jan. 5, 2017
Medical Release Form
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State men's soccer team will host the Fifth Annual Mack Brady Clinic Sunday, Jan. 8 from 2:30-4 p.m. in Holuba Hall on the University Park campus.
The widely popular clinic is free of charge, but all participants will be required to fill out and bring with them a release form in advance of the clinic as well as bring their own ball. Also, all participants are asked to bring shin guards, cleats and sneakers to participate. The event is open to children 16-years old or younger with part of the clinic having special focus on goalkeeping skills.
John William McKenzie `Mack' Brady has been an important part of the Penn State program since the late 2000's when he at the tender age of five declared that he wanted to someday be the Nittany Lions' goalie. Tragically and unfortunately Brady's dreams were cut short as he passed away of a blood infection on Dec. 31, 2012, almost two-weeks short of his ninth birthday.
"Our players and staff are looking forward to this Sunday," said head coach Bob Warming. "Mack's dream was to play at Penn State and to be the starting goalkeeper. In so many ways, our Penn State players are living Mack's dream and the dream of many other children. Sunday will be a great day to celebrate Mack's life, celebrate our love for playing soccer with friends, let the children have some fun playing with our team and encourage all the children at the clinic to follow their dreams.
The clinic was setup shortly after his untimely passing, with the help of Penn State coaches as well as current players and alumni and was meant to coincide with his birthday (Jan. 16), in order to give other Penn State soccer fans his age the chance to enjoy the game he loved with the team he loved.
The spirit of Mack Brady lives on through this clinic as well as a special `Mack Brady Match' which is played each year by both the men's and the women's teams at Penn State. A special memorial patch is worn on each home kit and money raised from the contests help benefit the fund set up in his name. The Mack Brady Fund is an endowment for Nittany Lion goalkeepers to assist them with equipment, recruiting, scholarships and other needs. To date, more than $200,000 has been raised in his honor for his favorite soccer program.