IMA SPORTS

As one of the longest-standing soccer programs in northwest Ohio, Maumee Soccer Club is now witnessing a full-circle moment: former players returning with their own children to join the same organization where they once played.

For Ashley Brown, president of the Maumee Soccer Foundation, that connection — combined with some exciting recent developments — made now the perfect time to host the club’s first-ever Alumni Game.

🗓 Event Details

“Many of our kids start with MYSA, then they go to Express and on to high school,” said Brown, who is also organizing the event. “Now we are starting to see many of these same people circle back after high school to help volunteer with MYSA or even coach Express. It’s a very tight knit community, and we would absolutely love to continue bringing back former players into the community. I believe that all of this is just one reason why Maumee Soccer Club is special when it comes to clubs.”

Maumee Soccer Club recently entered into an agreement to use the field at the Lucas County Rec Center, giving it much needed space as the Express teams continue to grow. However, the field was in some level of disuse and in need of TLC.

The list of necessary upgrades includes repairing the lights and scoreboard, fixing fencing, cleaning up the track area and reseeding the grass. Brown specifically credited Maumee Pro Mow for their generous support this spring and summer in getting the fields game-ready. “We could not have done this without Matt and his team,” she added.

🎟 Entry is by donation, and fans can enjoy more than just soccer. There will be:

• Concessions
• A 50/50 raffle
• Event T-shirts for sale
  👕 Preorder your T-shirt here

Interested in Playing?

Alumni can register for $25, which includes an official game T-shirt.
🔗 Sign up here

While the event is meant to be fun, it also carries a deeper message: Maumee Express is thriving.

“We also want our former players to know that we are still here,” she said. “With the passing of the former director, Covid and other changes and things that came up, Maumee Express struggled …  and even became the butt of a lot of jokes. We want them to know that they can be proud to say that they played with Maumee Express. We have rebuilt and are only getting stronger, and we would love for them to continue being a part of our family.”

Brown says the club’s biggest strength lies in its tight-knit community. Unlike larger programs, Maumee Express prides itself on being a hometown club where coaches and directors know every kid in the program by name.

“We have watched them play since they were just tots in MYSA, and now we are seeing some of these same kids reach high school,” Brown said. “We see them at the store, at Jacky’s, at school events, and so on, and the kids are all in class together at school.”

The Alumni Game is more than just a fundraiser. It’s a celebration of the past, present and future of Maumee soccer. Whether you’re a former player, a proud parent or a fan of the game — come out, reconnect and be a part of the Maumee Soccer family.

Reach IMA at insidemaumeeathletics@gmail.com