Labor Day Weekend 1978 – The first year of the Bay Soccer Club Challenge Cup Tournament, a tournament that would deliver great youth soccer competition to fields on the north coast of America. 

Labor Day Weekend 1988 -  The “King of Soccer” Edson Arantes Nascimento better known as Pele was the Grand Marshall of the Challenge Cup Tournament which following a 10 year tradition kicked off with a parade around the Bay High Stadium.  Pele lead the youth soccer teams into a packed Bay Memorial Stadium, balloons were launched and a skydiver landing in the middle of the field delivered the “Game Ball”.  Not too shabby for a tournament still in its early years. 

Over the years the tournament continued to grow exceeding 126 teams from all over Ohio and as far away as Canada, New York, Maryland, Illinois, Michigan and Kentucky.  The reputation of the tournament grew telling a story of highly competitive soccer in the beauty of a small community nestled along the shore of Lake Erie.  Quite often teams from Canada and New York would be housed and fed by local families offering a taste of mid-western American hospitality.  Mike Shields, Sharon Egan, and nearly two dozen other volunteers ran the Challenge cup for its first 15 years still smile when they speak of those early years of the tournament with the parade complete with the Bay High Marching Band and Rockettes.   

Labor Day Weekend 2018  - The Challenge Cup tournament continues as a result of the commitment of many volunteers who over the years have added their touch to keep it competitive yet wholesome.  The Bay Soccer Club is very excited to invite all to join in cheering on the youth soccer players in this the 40^th year of the tournament.  While there you can enjoy the flavorful and fun foods from several of the best food truck vendors in the Cleveland area at Bay High School from 4-8pm on September 1^st.  Vendors include: Nelly Belly, Manna, Krav, Wholly Frijoles, Beardens, Smokin’ Rock&Roll, and Sweet! The Mobile Cupcakery.  At 7:00 PM the Bay High Boys Rocket Soccer team will take on the Minute Men of Revere High School.