Want to play soccer in college? Sign up for recruitment event

Heart of the City will host a College Soccer ID event for high school girls and boys in Lake County on Saturday, Jan. 15, at the Warren Township High School Field House in Gurnee.

The event is an opportunity for student athletes to showcase their soccer skills for college coaches throughout the region. It includes a scrimmage that will be recorded and shareable with additional college coaches not in attendance and a Q&A to learn more about the recruitment process.

"We are delighted to host another College Soccer ID event to connect local high school players to college soccer coaches," said Heart of the City Sporting Director Dean Smith.

"We work hard to offer college recruitment opportunities for student-athletes all year by utilizing a professional college soccer recruitment specialist with established college coach connections."

In addition to a variety of college soccer recruitment programs offered throughout the year, Heart of the City has full-time staff members and coaches dedicated to providing one-on-one college and postsecondary readiness support to prepare student athletes for success after graduation.

Staff work with each player to develop an individualized development and action plan that includes athletic, academic, and college and career goals.

There are many benefits to playing soccer in college, which include scholarship money, team and coach support systems, and life skill development.

Heart of the City's programs serve more than 500 youth from underfunded communities through after school, recreational, and travel soccer teams. With an accessible soccer program that eliminates the financial barriers of playing sports and a youth developmental pathway, student athletes gain opportunities and life skills to see their futures and score goals on and off the field.

Registration is now open for the College Soccer ID event through Jan. 3. It is open to any Lake County high school student who is interested in playing soccer in college. The cost is $25 per student. More details, including registration, are available at heartofthecitysports.org/college-soccer-recruitment.

For information about Heart of the City, visit www.heartofthecitysports.org or call (847) 623-6200.