Día de Fútbol Unites Local Spanish-Speaking Community Through Sport
Begun as an independent study project from a Washington student, the event has since grown into a yearly day of fun. Sunday marked its return following a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Sunday, April 21, Washington College hosted the 13th annual Día de Fútbol event on Kibler Field at Roy Kirby, Jr. Stadium. Aimed at strengthening the relationship between the campus and local Spanish-speaking communities, Día de Fútbol offers a safe space for both communities to interact and embrace part of their culture using soccer, or fútbol, as a conduit for that connection.
The event began as an independent study project from a Washington student in the World Languages and Cultures Department and has since grown into a well-attended yearly day of fun. Sunday marked its return following a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bridget Bunten, associate professor of education and coordinator of the elementary education program, serves as the faculty advisor for the program. She has been running the event for the previous 10 iterations.
“In my third year with Dia de Fútbol, I started working at the College. With my background in language teaching, language learning, and education, we brought in the schools and partnered with them to create a literacy event as part of the day in addition to the soccer activities,” Bunten said. “For the soccer players it is a great opportunity to share their love of the sport with the youth in the Kent and Queen Anne's County community. For my students in education, it is an opportunity to see and interact with kids before they go out and teach in elementary schools.”
More than 30 Washington College students served as volunteers for the event, with contributors ranging from students in the departments of education and world languages, to members of the men's and women's soccer teams.
“Dr. Bunten is my advisor, so she talked to me about it knowing I was part of the soccer team and also knowing I wanted to be a teacher,” said Dahlia Kuzemka ‘26 at the event. “It is really cool, and I am excited that there’s this many people here, especially after not having it for a few years. Some of these kids are too young to have done it before.”
Young aspiring athletes were treated to playtime at the stadium where they were divided up into teams to practice technique and play run drills with the Washington soccer players. After lunch, guests were treated to short exhibition matches between the Shoremen and visiting schools York College (Pa.) and St. Mary’s College (Md.).
While soccer was the order of the day, participating students from the community also partook in literacy activities, reading aloud in either English or Spanish with a Washington College student. Books were provided for visitors to take home after the day’s festivities.
“It is a great way of engaging the Spanish-speaking community into the life at the College and what's available here in terms of sporting events, as well as providing our students a chance to interact with other members of the community,” said Bunten.
The event was sponsored by the departments of Education, World Languages and Cultures, the Athletic Department, the Offices of Student Affairs, and Diversity & Inclusion, and the Kent County Local Management Board. To find out more about ongoing activities and future events check out the Día de Fútbol Facebook page.
- Dominic Rapposelli '25