Center Grove Soccer Club

The Center Grove Soccer Club was formally established in 1980. At that time, approximately 200 children from first to twelfth grade were registered. Teams were practicing and playing on fields all over the Center Grove area. Every season the club president would have to appear at a school board meeting to seek permission to continue to use the school property for fields. Letters were written to churches, nursing homes and businesses requesting the use of their property.

Eventually, the school gave permission for a recreational park to be developed for use by the soccer club and by a girls' softball program, the Center Grove Lassie League. (That site is now where Center Grove High School's soccer fields are located.) There were several soccer fields and a couple of softball fields available. Games could now be at one location, but practices were still scattered around the area.

During the 1980's, the number of children participating in the soccer club continued to increase, due to the continued development of the Center Grove area. By the late 1980's it was apparent that the schools would soon need to reclaim their property for school use, and it was time for CGSC to look for a piece of property to buy. The 42 acres the club now owns was purchased from Mr. Danny Thomas, a farmer, in 1989. Because of the solid financial position of the club, a loan was easily secured to purchase the property. The club then applied for an additional loan of $125,000 to develop the new complex. Land had to be graded, fields seeded, the septic systems and privies had to be built.

Unfortunately, the Center Grove area grew faster than originally expected and the club had to move from school property 18 months earlier than anticipated. Because of the earlier-than-expected move, improvements that could have been spread out over a longer time period were needed immediately. A financial crunch was inevitable. Five devoted club members used their own homes as collateral to get an additional line-of-credit for the club to cover expenses. As the club continued to grow and was financially well managed, a new loan was secured that covered the first loan for purchase of the property and the line-of-credit for improvements. All of the existing buildings from the old recreational park were moved to the new complex in the summer of 1992. Play at our new facility first began in the fall of 1992. Head Coach Jimmy McDonald led the parade to open the new fields and dedicate the complex. The fields were named Campbell Fields after then-President and long time board member Linda Campbell. The current Clubhouse and barn were built in 1993. A new concession stand was built in 1998 with the help of a $30,000 grant from the U. S. Soccer Foundation.

Now Center Grove Soccer Club is one of the state's largest privately-owned soccer clubs, and a well-known organization in the soccer community. Around 750 children participate in the fall season for recreational and travel soccer. In the spring, the number increases to about 1100 players. The spring increase is due to the return of high school players who play on the South Central Select teams (these players play on their high school teams in the fall). South Central Select is sponsored by CGSC, and attracts players from all over south central Indiana.

Even with two paid positions, the club is still very much dependent on volunteers to get the vast majority of work done around the club.

Today, the club is governed by a Board of Directors who are elected by the club. Club members are "every family, having a child playing at the club, who is not past due for current or upcoming season (when between seasons) is a member in the Corporation." Additionally, "each member... shall have the right to one vote for each child that he or she has enrolled in the current or in the most recent season in the case of votes occurring while a season is not in progress." (Quoted from the By-Laws of CGSC, Inc. 1996)

The Board of Directors holds monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of each month. These are open meetings and all are encouraged and invited to attend. The Annual Meeting is held on the first Wednesday of November for the purpose of electing officers.

The Board of Directors consists of nine positions. The President serves a one-year term, and is elected annually. The Secretary, V. P. Operations, V. P. Sponsorships, and V. P. Travel each serve two-year terms and are elected in "even-numbered" years. The V. P. Administrative Operations, V. P. Concessions, V. P. Recreation, and Treasurer also serve two-year terms, but are elected in "odd-numbered" years.