Photo by Emary Skoczlas

JV forward Saul Gallegos, 10, prepares to pass the ball as Francisco Rodriguez, 10, watches.

Legacy JV Boy’s Soccer plans on hosting their first ever tournament, dubbed the “Kowbell Tournament.” The first game kicks off on Thursday, January 8.

The name comes from the now demolished Kow Bell Indoor Rodeo, an arena that once invited riders from all across Texas to show off their skills. Legacy High School now stands on the site the rodeo was on.

“I just like to bring some of the past into play,” coach James Smelley said.

Coach Smelley believes the name serves as a fitting homage to the rodeo, and hopes the legacy of the Kow Bell Indoor Rodeo carries on for many more years.

“We’re starting it as a JV tournament to see how it goes,” Coach Smelley said. “If it has good teams with good competition, I could see it going on forever.”

The tournament includes Trimble Tech, Fort Worth Southwest, Crowley, and Legacy High School. The prize up for grabs is a trophy and of course, bragging rights of winning the first ever Kowbell Tournament.

“For JV kids this is usually the only tournament they get to play,” Coach Smelley said. “So everybody really wants to win it all.”