Columbus Crew SC announced today that it will hold an opening ceremony to unveil a mini-pitch at Eakin Elementary School (3774 Eakin Rd, Columbus, OH 43228) on Wednesday, June 26 at 3:30 p.m. ET. The ceremony is set to feature Crew SC President Tim Bezbatchenko, Crew SC Head Coach Caleb Porter, Columbus City Councilmember Elizabeth Brown, Columbus City Schools Superintendent Dr. Talisa Dixon and U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Safe Places to Play Director Alex Bard as speakers. Neil Sika, Crew SC’s television play-by-play announcer, will serve as the emcee for the ceremony. Crew SC players Alex Crognale, Jon Kempin, Patrick Mullins and Josh Williams will also be in attendance.

The event will feature a ribbon cutting and ceremonial first kick, followed by children from the local community participating in soccer activities on the new mini-pitch. Crew SC players Alex Crognale, Jon Kempin, Patrick Mullins and Josh Williams will serve as coaches for the children and will sign autographs and take photos with the children following the activities.

As announced during the Club’s 2019 Media Day held right at Eakin Elementary School, the new, state-of-the-art mini-pitch features lights and was built by the Crew SC Foundation in collaboration with Columbus City Schools, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department and the U.S. Soccer Foundation, and is dedicated to the members of “Save The Crew” movement, commemorating the historic and steadfast efforts of countless individuals to keep the Club in Columbus. The mini-pitch was built at Eakin Elementary School as a way to connect academics with sports. Beginning this fall, the mini-pitch will host the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Soccer for Success programming. Soccer for Success is a free after-school program which aims to help youth cultivate critical life skills through soccer.