International and American West Virginia University students will soon come together in the spirit of competition to compete in the Mini World Cup.

The Mini World Cup, hosted by WVU’s International Student Organization, will begin Saturday (Sept. 25).

The event, which is in its third year, brings together a diverse group of players on each team, said Gary Laruta, president of the organization.

“Consistent with the mission of ISO and WVU’s OneWVU campaign, this year we are looking forward to hosting an event that is primarily characterized by the diversity of its participants regardless of nationality, religion or gender,” Laruta said.

“This is the best evidence of the positive message of coexistence and tolerance that we as an organization believe in,” he said.

This year’s Mini World Cup will feature 32 teams competing against each other over four weeks on the Mountainlair Green.

The tournament will take place:

• Sept. 25 and Sept. 26 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Oct. 2 and Oct. 3 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Oct. 9 and Oct. 10 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Oct. 16 and Oct. 17 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Sponsors of this year’s competition include the WVU President’s Office for Social Justice, WVU’s Office of International Students and Scholars, WVU Student Government Association, Mountaineer Maniacs, WVU Mountainlair, WVU Office of Student Life and the Boston Beanery.

The public is invited to watch all games.

-WVU-

sc/09/23/10

CONTACT: Samantha Cossick, International Student Organization
724-710-0189, Samantha.Cossick@mail.wvu.edu