A player Welcome Reception was held on Friday evening, March 17, 2006 at the DoubleTree Guest Suites in Boca Raton, FL. The event was sponsored by GBYSA and the Doubletree Guest Suites. Registered players and their families were able to meet and mingle, enjoy a light dinner, test their goalkeeping skills in virtual reality and participate in the Goalie War auction where some lucky winners walked away with great prizes from our sponsors. Keynote remarks were made by special guest Arnie Mausser, former North American Soccer League (NASL) and U.S. Men's National Team goalkeeper and 2003 inductee in the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame.

The Opening Ceremony featured a Parade of Champions for our 2005 Goalie War Participants. More than 120 athletes were in attendance from 20+ states, Canada, England and Brazil.

The Half-Time Show included the "Hit the Post" promotion, sponsored by FirstLantic Healthcare. Three spectators were chosen at random for a chance to win $10,000 by hitting the two uprights and crossbar of a standard soccer goal in 3 consecutive shots from a distance of 22 yards. Gary Essington (Maryland), Jennifer Quade (Massachusetts) and Meghan McTear (also MA) all failed on their attempts, but had fun trying and went home with nice consolation prizes.

Half-Time also included special guest appearances by former U.S. National and U.S. Olympic Team players Jeff Dubak and Eric Eichmann.

Half-Time ended with a Celebrity Goalie War match between former English Premier League and Miami Fusion player Ian Bishop and former U.S. Men's National and U.S. Olympic Team goalkeeper Jeff Duback. The highly intense and awe-inspiring showdown ended in a 16-16 draw.

The finalists from 17 age/gender divisions squared off on center court to determine the 2005 National Goalie War Champions. Eric Eichmann provided the play by play. We witnessed some incredible action as these great athletes gave it their all.

There were plenty of giveaways throughout the day thanks to our many sponsors.

An autographed jersey worn by U.S. MNT player Taylor Twellman in the Jan 29, 2006 friendly against Norway (in which Twellman scored 3 goals) was won by the McGowan family of Lancaster, PA.

A custom-engraved brick in the National Soccer Hall of Fame's Walk of Fame was won by John Macchione from New Jersey.

At the awards ceremony, all 2005 National Goalie War Champions received an awesome Goalie War trophy and Reusch Ortho-tec gloves. A special thanks goes to our awards sponsors, Grand Awards and Reusch.

The finalists also walked away with a trophy and glove bag from our sponsor Sells Goalkeeping Products.