Columbus Crew Launches Exciting New Soccer in Schools Program
COLUMBUS – The Columbus Crew has officially kicked off its vibrant Soccer in Schools Program, a groundbreaking initiative in partnership with Nationwide and Lower.com. This program is designed to empower physical education teachers with a turnkey youth soccer model, placing soccer at the forefront of in-school physical activity.
A Vision for Health and Engagement
The Soccer in Schools Program aligns seamlessly with curriculum standards to teach the essentials of soccer while promoting lifelong healthy habits among students. This initiative is part of the larger Stay in the Game! Attendance Network and was first unveiled during the MLS All-Star Community Day at Northgate Intermediate School. This event was a highlight during the MLS All-Star Week, culminating in the thrilling 2024 MLS All-Star Game at Lower.com Field.
“Youth soccer and education are integral to our identity as a club, and this program combines those core values,” stated Josh Glessing, Crew President of Business Operations and Chief of Strategy and Corporate Development for Haslam Sports Group. “With the support of our community relations team and corporate partners, we are excited to teach Columbus students the beautiful game while helping them realize their full potential.”
Building Healthy Habits with Community Support
The Soccer in Schools Program is a natural extension of the existing partnerships that reflect a commitment to children’s health and wellness. As Ann Bair, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide, remarked, “Congratulations to the Crew for creating this all-inclusive program that not only engages students with soccer but also encourages healthy habits.”
Dan Snyder, CEO of Lower, added, “Investing in our community starts with our children. We are proud to work alongside the Columbus Crew and Nationwide to bring inspiration and opportunity directly into classrooms across Columbus. This initiative mirrors our values, affirming that when students engage, amazing things happen!”
Curriculum Designed for Inclusivity and Engagement
The program’s curriculum is specifically designed for implementation in elementary school physical education classes, aligning with SHAPE America’s National Physical Education Standards. To promote inclusivity and accommodate various skill levels, activities will be tailored to ensure every student can participate.
The Crew will provide a comprehensive toolkit featuring all necessary equipment from adidas, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder schools from adopting a soccer curriculum. This toolkit also includes engaging video modules filmed by the Crew. Multiple developmental workshops have been conducted for physical education teachers by the Crew’s Soccer Operations Team, facilitating effective curriculum implementation.
Commitment to Youth Development in Central Ohio
The Columbus Crew is passionately dedicated to enhancing access to soccer opportunities for youth in Central Ohio. The club aims to foster lifelong fans by investing in facilities, mini-pitch installations, school activations, attendance awareness campaigns, soccer camps, equipment donations, and unforgettable experiences.
The Stay in the Game! Attendance Network is committed to promoting school attendance and student engagement across partner districts. Since its inception, SITG! has expanded from 13 to 161 districts, impacting over 494,000 students across Ohio for the 2024-2025 academic year.
A Proven Impact on Student Engagement
Annually, the Columbus Crew reach over 158,000 students across 36 school districts in Central Ohio through the Stay in the Game! initiative. Notably, the program has contributed to a 7% decrease in chronic absenteeism from the 2022-23 to the 2023-24 school year, surpassing the state average of 3.4%. In some districts, this initiative has led to a remarkable 10.3% decrease in chronic absenteeism, demonstrating its impactful role in student engagement.
For more information on the Call in the Game! initiative and how it’s transforming the lives of students, visit the official website at Stay in the Game!.
The Columbus Crew’s Soccer in Schools Program is more than just a curriculum; it’s a movement dedicated to instilling a love for soccer and promoting health and wellness among the youth of Columbus. With community support, this initiative promises to create athletes, fans, and healthy habits for life! 🌟
