EDITORIAL:

Two thousand soccer playing kids can’t be wrong. The Daily Pilot Cup is a real kick to be a part of.

We are biased, we know, but we have to agree.

The annual soccer tournament, held the weekend after Memorial Day, just capped its eighth year with record teams and players. The tournament features players from just about every elementary school in Newport-Mesa, with a couple private schools thrown in for good measure.

While the tournament bears the name of this newspaper, there are so many more people to thank.

First and foremost are the children who participate and their parents. Were it not for their time and devotion to the game of soccer, the Pilot Cup would not exist. Then, of course, we have to mention the school officials, coaches, school liaisons and referees. Their time and devotion is hard to measure.

Next to thank are all the major sponsors that have made the Pilot Cup a success. The city of Costa Mesa, the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Orthopedics and Dr. Alan Beyer, CM 900, C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, and Newport Mesa Soccer Club and Mark Arblaster all deserve a huge round of applause.

Last, but certainly not least, we need to thank Tournament Director Kirk McIntosh and his wife, Sue.

The McIntoshes, who have five daughters who played soccer, spend many, many hours organizing the tournament and putting together an amazing sporting event that brings joy and excitement to children and parents.

It’s a labor of love for which they receive nothing but the satisfaction of being a part of something so special.

We are indebted to them and all the others for making this eighth Pilot Cup so successful. We can’t wait to see you next year back at the farm.