[07/11/01] A group of adult soccer players will now have access to lighted fields after a ruling by the Vicksburg Soccer Organization Tuesday night.

“In the near future, there will be a written policy on the issue from VSO,” said John Turner, the VSO field commissioner.

Turner also made the motion to change the VSO bylaws to include adult teams in a league meeting.

He said the group could start playing on the field as soon as Sunday.

“All I need is a written request and a point-of-contact and it’s official,” Turner said.

That was good news to a group of current and former high school and college players who gather about twice a week to play. They had been playing in an unlighted field in front of Waterways Experiment Station.

“We are thankful that VSO is going to grant us excess to a lighted field,” said Jason Hopkins, who plays with the group.

“We are happy to know that once the time changes happen, we will have light to keep playing.”

The group will continue playing at Waterways until daylight-saving time. After that, they can go to the Bovina Soccer Complex and play on a lighted field.

“I am very hopeful of getting this men’s league started and having competive matches that the kids can come watch,” Hopkins said, adding,

“It would be great fun for us adults to play in some meaningful match again.

“For a lot of us, it would be the first meaningful match since high school.”

The group has reserved Sunday night at 8 until 10:30 at Link field to play.

VSO will have its youth registration on Aug. 11 and Aug. 18 at Vicksburg Factory Outlets.

“It is great to know that once you have followed the proper channels, you can get things done. VSO has given us a place to play and for that we are very grateful,” Hopkins said. “I am looking forward to working with Turner to get this matter finished as soon as possible.”