BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., June 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- MLS midfielder and Shelby Township native Justin Meram returns to Detroit to throw the first pitch for the Detroit Tigers against the San Francisco Giants on July 6 at Comerica Park.

The former Wolverine and Eisenhower star plays for Columbus Crew SC and the Iraq National Team. Meram also co-founded and works as a Technical Director for National Youth Soccer in Michigan.

Justin Meram Justin Meram is all smiles with the children playing soccer.

The Tigers will play at 1:10 p.m. in the final game of a 10-game homestand.

"It is such an honor to get the call from the Tigers to throw out the first pitch at a home game," Meram said. "As a native Detroiter this is a dream come true."

Meram, one of the top wingers in the MLS currently, is having a career year at Crew SC with eight goals and six assists while starting all 18 games so far this season.

Outside of MLS, Meram has devoted his time to developing the National Youth Soccer Foundation. After seeing his 7-year-old niece's soccer games during the off-season he noticed that the coaches were volunteer parents and training was optional. Meram wanted to provide another option.

With leagues and camps in Sterling Heights, Washington Township, West Bloomfield, Livonia, Woodhaven and Rochester, National Youth Soccer offers a quality soccer experience with paid and trained coaches while also making sure the cost of travel will not be barrier to enter the program.

Registration is underway currently for summer camps and fall leagues. More information can be found at www.nationalyouthsoccer.com.

"There is a severe lack of quality programs that bridge the gap between volunteer based recreational soccer and the highly competitive travel soccer world," Meram said. "My goal is to take my experience as a professional soccer player from Michigan and allow all kids to experience a high level soccer program without the family having to sacrifice quality or valuable time."

At Eisenhower High School, Meram earned MHSAA All-State first-team honors and was named the MAC Conference Player of the Year as a senior. He then went on to Yavapai College in Arizona and led the team to back-to-back NJCAA National Championships where he set the program record for points (132).

In 2009, Meram transferred to the University of Michigan for his junior year. He was named All-Big Ten second team and was the sixth player in program history to record a hat trick. Meram led the Wolverines to the Final 4 in the 2010 NCAA Tournament scoring in the semifinals against Akron, before the team lost, 2-1.

Meram finished his career at Michigan with 24 goals and 14 assists in 41 games before being selected by the Columbus Crew SC in the first round (15 overall) in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft.

Crew SC will be in action next on July 1 in Columbus, Ohio at MAPFRE Stadium against Atlanta United FC at 7:30 p.m.

National Youth Soccer

2055 Franklin Road

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48302

Media contact: Francis Meram

Phone: (248) 385-3050

Fax: (248) 630-2625

[email protected]

http://www.nationalyouthsoccer.com/

https://www.facebook.com/NationalYouthSoccer/?ref=br_rs

SOURCE National Youth Soccer

Related Links

http://www.nationalyouthsoccer.com

