The air was brisk with a whisper of fall as Santa Clara Rotarians began packing and sorting supplies and equipment for the momentous event that would begin in less than two hours.

 

Vans, trucks, and trailers were carefully loaded then dispersed with waves of good luck as the teams of volunteers headed for their assigned field locations throughout Santa Clara to begin set up for the arrival of 96 youth soccer teams.

 

At Curtis School the small team of enthusiastic Rotarians began their duties of preparing the three playing fields. This would be home that day to 44 teams, 22 games, 840 players, and 1000 parents, coaches and family members.

 

Scurrying quickly to complete their assignments the Rotarians checked off their duties with precision. Field markers up, goals tacked down, canopies raised, tables set out, check in ready, referee rest area prepared all before 7:30 AM.

 

But wait, players and parents began to arrive, many driving long distances from Sacramento, Marin and Hollister.

 

They would like to use the bathrooms.

 

The bathrooms? The bathrooms were locked!

 

The bathrooms were not on the Rotarian’s check list because the City of Santa Clara determined the Rotarians should not have the keys. The City Parks and Recreation Department would be responsible for opening the bathrooms.

 

It was 7:35 AM and the bathrooms were locked! A call was placed to Tournament HQ.

 

Now there were 150 kids with bursting bladders crying for help. The Rotarians were calling for help. Fortunately for some, the Rotarians located one port-a-potty at a construction site a block away and directed those in distress to the inconvenient relief box.

 

Finally at 8:15, after the first three games were underway the Parks and Rec representative arrived and unlocked the bathrooms.

 

Ah, the first crisis of the day had been resolved and joy returned to the growing guest list at Curtis School.

 

The following eight hours proved to be uneventful as teams arrived, played, departed and returned again to continue their competition for the 8^th annual Santa Clara Rotary Cup championship.

As the five o’clock games began and were underway, a small group of participants approached the registration table and announced:

 

“The bathrooms are locked! Do you have a key?”

 

In disbelief, Rotarians rushed to the bathroom doors to indeed find them locked. It was 5:15 and there were 300 participants and spectators on the three Curtis fields.

 

Again emergency calls went out to Soccer HQ and in turn to Parks and Recreation. Initially Rotarians were told the City employee was not coming back. Pressure began to mount in more ways than one.

Begging, pleading, threats, and pleas were met with disdain and apathy. Finally as though they were doing an exceptional favor for our City guests, the Parks Department representatives showed up with keys at 6:15 PM and unlocked the bathroom doors.

 

They were not thanked. Our guests had more pressing matters.