Cary, North Carolina.  The Triangle’s first five star hotel (of size) is due to open in Cary within the next ten days.  It’s the result of the dedication and drive of Ann Goodnight, the wife of SAS co-founder Jim Goodnight.  The $80 million hotel will be called the UMSTEAD.  Standard room rates will, for openers, be from $295 to $350 per night until April and then increase to $350 to $425 per night.  Suites start in the low $400s.  The 1,700 square foot Presidential suite will set you back a cool $2,200 per night. 

The Umstead will offer a 14,000 square foot spa, 10,000 square feet of meeting space, a 6,000 square foot rear lawn for weddings and other open air events and a three acre pond.  South American Anegre wood panels the interior walls and art works by North Carolina artists will line the corridor outside of the meeting rooms.  Guests may bring their pets.  An outdoor elevator will handle guest luggage.  No eye clutter here.

John Fish (919) 696-3474     Email: marvmax@mindspring.com   Website:  www.JohnFish.com

I am late in offering congratulations to Anson Dorance and the University of North Carolina women’s soccer team on winning their 18th national college cup championship!  Dick Vitale compared it with the number of championships won by college and pro teams in other sports and none of the others are even close. Worldwide soccer has the largest fan following of any sport but unfortunately, for a team that has accomplished what the UNC women’s soccer team has accomplished, fan support for soccer in the U.S. it is still far behind the big three - basketball, football and baseball and therefore it doesn’t get the TV or ink coverage those sports get.  However, interest in soccer in the U.S. is certainly on the rise due to the large number of youth soccer teams throughout the country and because of the success the U.S. women’s teams have enjoyed in the Olympics.  All of which brings me to soccer in the Triangle area.

Cary, North Carolina is working hard to become known as the soccer capital of the U.S.  Cary’s SAS stadium has certainly given that goal a major boost.  It hosted the women’s soccer college cup in 2003, 2004 and this year and the men’s cup in 2005.  It will be the scene of the men’s tournament again in 2007.  While the women’s “final four” was being played out in SAS Stadium more than 200 high school soccer teams from all across the US competed at soccer fields througout the area.  Also, 500 soccer coaches from all over the U.S. were here to see the games and the areas facilities.  CARY NORTH CAROLINA - SOCCER CAPITAL.  UNC WOMEN’S TEAM SOCCER CHAMPIONS.  Both of those have a good ring to them and may they both enjoy even greater success.

John Fish (919) 696-3474    email: marvmax@mindspring.com   Website: www.JohnFish.com