FIT Soccer Icon Fidgi Haig To Be Celebrated By Former Teammates
By Florida Tech // July 30, 2015
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE FLORIDA – Continuing an annual tradition united by special friendships and an unbreakable bond, Club Sportif Saint-Louis of Haiti is set to compete this Saturday at 7 p.m. at Rick Stottler Field on the campus of Florida Tech.
However, this particular match will be different, yet the most meaningful to date.
Honoring their late teammate and former Panther head coach, Fidgi Haig, CSSL will take the pitch against some of the icon’s former players in what is sure to be a memorable sight for all.
A core group of guys Haig played with at one point or another growing up, CSSL has taken the initiative to gather for one game every summer to remain connected. Over the course of the past ten years the bunch has met in either Orlando or Miami, and was slated to convene in Montreal this time around.
Upon hearing the tragic news, the squad knew Haig would want the camaraderie to go on, and decided what better way than on the field Haig roamed for a combined 14 seasons as both a player and coach.
“I know it would mean a lot for him because he really loved playing for his team,” current Florida Tech head coach Dustin Smith said of Haig.
“Every year I’d schedule our camps and recruiting type things, and he’d always say ‘Dustin I cannot do this, I’m going to be with my guys’. I know it would mean the world to him, but honestly they contacted us proving that it also means a lot to them personally.”
A testament to the love and appreciation Haig captivated as a coach, a number of past Panthers and local standouts will be in attendance as well.
Expected to play in the contest are: Florida Tech alumnae Teresa Brantley, Rachel Devlin, Allison Downie, Jen Gillette, Carlene Harrison, Courtney Hueston, Carly Hunt, DeeDee Newland and Melissa Pyles; as well as former Brevard Youth Soccer League players Chelsea Brady, KC Corellus, Katie Jackson, Olivia Thompson and Jessalyn Withers.
Furthermore, Haig’s son Landen will team up with CSSL on Saturday, donning the No. 13 jersey made famous by his father.
“I don’t think you can describe it, it’s immeasurable,” Smith said on the effect Haig had on those who he crossed paths with.
“I mean, again, if you met Fidgi it’s just one of those things where you can’t put a finger on what he meant and how he impacted people.
“It’s just one of those things where people want to be involved because, for them, it was one of the best experiences of their lives knowing him in whatever way, shape or form it was. Whether he was just an acquaintance, a friend, mentor, family, everybody felt connected to him.”
In what will be used as their warm-ups throughout the 2015 season, the women’s team will have crimson and gray shirts with Fidgi’s name on the back for sale throughout Saturday’s match. All proceeds will go to the Florida Tech women’s soccer program.
