17th Annual Hurricane Classic Soccer Tourney Set August 16-17, Will Feature Over 100 Teams From Across Florida

Youth Soccer Tournament includes U9 through U19 boys and girls divisions

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Brevard County’s longest-running youth soccer tournament, the Hurricane Classic, will return to Merritt Island this weekend, August 16-17, featuring over 100 teams from across Florida.

“We are excited to have the Hurricane Classic in its 17th year with teams participating from across Florida in U9 through U19 boys and girls divisions,” said tournament co-founder Justin Lauer, who was inducted into the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame last May.

“Since it is the first tournament of the season, new teams learn how to work together,” said Lauer.

The event is excellent for the Space Coast economy, as many competitors and their families stay at hotels along Cocoa Beach.

“For some families, it serves as one last vacation before school starts again – teams wait all year for the event, and tournament staff is equally thrilled,” said Lauer.

Tournament co-founders Lauer and Bill Quinter are both Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame inductees and are still involved with organizing this event.

“Staff members are dedicated to making the Hurricane Classic memorable for youth soccer players and their families,” said Quniter.

This tournament, sanctioned by the Florida Youth Soccer Association, features a vendor selling apparel specifically designed with event logos.

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REC SOCCER LEADERS

Youth soccer on the Space Coast enjoys more participation than any other sport, and Justin Lauer and William “Bill” Quinter have made significant contributions over the past three decades as promoters, officials, and administrators, supporting players, coaches, and related organizations.

They started hosting local soccer tournaments 20 years ago to provide affordable competition for local teams, while also attracting out-of-area teams to play and enjoy the terrific Brevard County park venues.

Their first youth soccer tournament was the Brevard Hurricane Classic, played on Merritt Island.
The two friends also created a recreational tournament 16 years ago, after the state association discontinued the popular District Commissioners program, designed for recreational teams.

Now, they plan and organize multiple tournaments across Brevard County, from Melbourne to Titusville. Lauer and Quinter have served in numerous leadership roles within the Brevard Youth Soccer League. Lauer currently serves as chairman, and Quinter has previously served as Vice Chairman.

OFFICIALS, ADMINISTRATORS

Together, they launched the Brevard Youth Soccer League Hall of Fame to recognize adults who have significantly contributed to youth soccer in Brevard County for at least 10 years. They also created the Joe Goldian Memorial Scholarship fund for high school seniors, all in memory of Joe Goldian, a past BYSL chairman and sports official.

Ten years ago, the two soccer leaders also started BYSL’s summer banquet to recognize important club presidents and directors. Lauer is the Florida Youth Soccer Association’s Region B Vice president and was elected in August 2024 during a hotly contested race at the FYSA state convention.

Region B covers Vero Beach through Jacksonville to the north and Orlando through Gainesville to the West. Lauer and Quinter also volunteered to serve as tournament directors for the USA Junior Olympics soccer competition that moved to Florida unexpectedly during the COVID pandemic.

This was the first competition played with COVID-19 accommodations, showing that playing safely and getting kids back outside was possible. Lauer has been a referee assignor since 2002, developing consistent processes to staff soccer games across Brevard County.

Lauer achieved State Referee Emeritus distinction, less than one percent of soccer officials. Both men have officiated youth soccer for over 30 years and have supported the development of hundreds of referees during that time. This includes Lauer’s son and daughter, who also referee, and Quinter’s two sons, who also referee.

They have also served as volunteer soccer coaches for their kids when they played recreational soccer in BYSL.

“We have always believed that soccer is a great community activity that helps to keep kids involved with positive activities, and we have done our very best to encourage involvement at all levels of soccer through playing, officiating, and volunteering,” said Quinter.

 

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