I am often asked where are the pick-up games in Corvallis where you can just show up and play casual soccer with a bunch of other people. Well Im going to let you in on a couple of Corvallis' best kept secrets for you soccer players out there.

In about ten minutes Im going to walk over to Oregon State University and play in the regular noon pick-up game. It starts at roughly noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and runs all year long. During the rainy months it is in McAlexander Fieldhouse, a big hanger-like building with old field turf in it. There is a locker room to change in and shower. Bring your turf shoes or sneakers. Dont wear your cleats. Thats just a good way to turn an ankle.



Once the sun comes out and the fields dry out the games move to the OSU tennis court fields. In both cases parking can be challenging, so either ride your bike or test the parking OSU services (I do the latter with fair success).

You dont need to know anyone. You dont need to be good. You are not likely to be the oldest person playing either. Longtime fixture, Fernando is over 70 (and still has some bite to him I might add). The typical player is thirty or forty something. Some of the guys have brought out thier kids. I wouldnt kids younger than twelve or so to play though. Basically, everyone is welcome to play and you can bank on the game every week. Its a great regular work out and a chance to play some ball regularly.

This game has been going on for as long as I have been in Corvallis. When I was going to school, I used to schedule my classes around it. OSU faculty has always made up the core group. But a good mix of people that work around town come over to play also. New comers are pretty common, but as you begin to learn the names and faces you discover that its a pretty friendly group with people encouraging the players with lower skills and congratulating the better players during moments of brilliance.

If you have any interest in the endorphines going in the middle of your day I encourage you to give it a try. Feel free to ask to find me and I can show you around. Next time I will tell you about the other lunch-time game over at Hewlett Packard.