Comer Education Campus Debuts Soccer Field for Safe Play in Grand Crossing Neighborhood

  • Published On  Sep 13, 2019

Medical Home Network and U.S. Soccer Foundation Create New Mini-Pitch as Part of It’s Everyone’s Game Movement

CHICAGO – Comer Education Campus debuted its new soccer mini-pitch on September 13th. The mini-pitch is the first open play soccer field at a Chicago charter school. The pitch was created by Medical Home Network and the U.S. Soccer Foundation as part of the Foundation’s It’s Everyone’s Game movement, which aims to build 1,000 safe places to play and reach one million participants in its Soccer for Success program by 2026.

“We’re grateful that over 2,000 Comer Education Campus youth annually will have access to the grounds, providing them with a safe and positive environment that promotes teamwork, confidence and healthy physical activity through soccer,” said Rhonda Hopps, Comer Education Campus Executive Director.

“One of the biggest barriers to our sport is the lack of safe places to play,” added U.S. Soccer Foundation President & CEO Ed Foster-Simeon. “The mini-pitch on the Comer Education Campus means that more children will not only enjoy soccer, but also develop the critical life skills that come with playing the game.”

A ceremonial ‘First Kick’ took place at the Comer Education Campus on September 13th following remarks by leadership from the Gary Comer Education Campus, Medical Home Network, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, Alderman Leslie Hairston and City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin. Youth, coaches, city officials and partner organizations took part in a scrimmage and organized drills to break in the new pitch.

“Medical Home Network is honored to support the Comer Education Campus and the new mini-pitch for our youth because we truly believe in the power of building safer and healthier communities,” said Cheryl Lulias, Medical Home Network CEO. “The Comer Education Campus continues to make a difference in the lives of many families from Chicago’s south side and we hope to be a small part of that impact.”




Photos by Cory Dewald, Comer Education Campus