Wisconsin Soccer Central

While the Wisconsin State Championships semifinals and finals will take center stage this weekend at the Scheels USA Youth Sports Complex, those won't be the only state tournament matches being played at the Appleton facility.

The Wisconsin Presidents Cup kicks off Saturday with preliminary games, with finals in five divisions set for Sunday.

U.S. Youth Soccer started the Presidents Cup in 2008 to give teams that don't participate in its National Championship Series – which includes the State Cup – the opportunity to play in state, regional and national tournaments.

Eighteen of the 20 sides entered in the state Presidents Cup are boys teams: four Under-13, six Under-14, five Under-16 and three Under-17. The other two entrants are Under-14 girls teams Sheboygan County United White Fury and Racine United.

State champions qualify for the Region II Presidents Cup, which is June 12 to 15 in Overland Park, Kan., and regional winners earn berths in the National Presidents Cup from July 10 to 13 in Greenville, S.C.

Wisconsin Presidents Cup schedule (pdf)

• Milwaukee Kickers SC will hold a celebration June 13 to honor retiring director of coaching Jerry Panek. The 68-year-old Panek, a native of Poland, made three appearances for the U.S. national team, played in the North American Soccer League and coached the Marquette men's team from 1982 to '91. A member of the Wisconsin Soccer Association and Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association Halls of Fame, Panek has been the Kickers' DOC since 2001. "Without question, Jerry has positively influenced, impacted and touched thousands of lives during his incredible soccer career,” Kickers executive director Alvaro Garcia-Velez said in a news release. "His knowledge, passion and advocacy for the beautiful game are unmatched, and we are extremely fortunate to have had him as a leader in our organization." The celebration is scheduled for 5 to 9 p.m. at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, and the public is welcome to attend. Please RSVP to Nancy Ziaja at nancyz@mksc.org.