Mitchell Soccer Association continues to grow, build momentum for youth soccer
· Yahoo Sports
Sep. 29—MITCHELL — The Mitchell Soccer Association continues to find new ways to bring young athletes to the soccer pitch, creating opportunities for kids in Mitchell and the surrounding communities to learn the game, stay active and, perhaps most importantly, have fun.
With the fall Youth Soccer League season wrapping up last week, the MSA had 128 young athletes participate across age groups ranging from under-four through under-eight boys and girls. The numbers were another positive sign for an organization that has continued to work toward growing the game at the youth level and build a strong foundation for the association's older traveling programs.
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That growth was on display again this past weekend when the MSA hosted the third annual Cornicopia Soccer Tournament at the Pepsi-Cola Soccer Complex in Mitchell. The tournament welcomed a record-best 69 teams from around South Dakota, surpassing last year's field of 52 squads. The tournament served as the final fall event for the Mitchell Youth Soccer League, bringing another successful season to a close.
The Competitive Soccer League within the MSA, which features players from under-12 through under-19 age groups, will conclude its fall season Sunday, Oct. 18.
For Mitchell Soccer Association president Scott Mullenmeister, the continued growth is about more than simply putting more players on the field.
"We really strive to not just promote the game of soccer, but we're also promoting the things that you gain from participation in youth sports, whether that is confidence, friendships that are made, and there's a lot of character development that occurs in that process," Mullenmeister said. "First and foremost, our primary goal is just to kind of give the kids opportunities to develop character, while learning a sport that they hopefully love to play."
The MSA is a non-profit organization serving Mitchell and surrounding communities, providing soccer opportunities for athletes ages 4-19. The organization offers both competitive and recreational opportunities, including traveling games and tournaments for players ages U9-U19, while also coordinating youth league opportunities for players who either are too young or simply prefer not to travel.
Mullenmeister said the Youth Soccer League remains as the most important piece of the organization's growth because it provides a starting point for young players who can eventually move into the association's traveling programs.
"We have really been focusing on that youth soccer league program to try and bolster our numbers, because it feeds into all of our traveling programs all the way up to the high school level," Mullenmeister said.
One of the biggest additions to the YSL in recent years has been a partnership with Dakota Wesleyan University's men's and women's soccer programs. DWU players have helped coach younger athletes, giving the youth players additional instruction while also bringing college-level players into the community.
"We're very lucky to have the parent volunteers to help with coaching, but recently, we have also partnered with the DWU soccer programs. We've got a lot of them helping coach the YSL programs, especially on the men's side," Mullenmeister said. "That has gone over really well. They're just doing a fantastic job with the little kids, and they have really injected another level of energy into the program at that level. It's been really helping to get more kids involved."
Mullenmeister credited the association's board as a major reason the MSA has been able to continue growing and successfully host large events such as the Cornicopia tournament over the last three years.
"We have a really good set of board members," Mullenmeister said. "I really can't do what I do and continue to grow the programs and run these successful tournaments without those dedicated board members. That's a big part of why things have been a little more successful over the last several years."
The MSA will have another opportunity to keep young athletes involved this winter with its 2026-27 Youth Soccer League season. The winter session will run Nov. 9 through Feb. 28 and will feature age groups from U10 through U19. Registration runs Sept. 27 through Oct. 10. The U10 Youth Soccer League Academy costs $100, while the U12-U19 programs cost $120. Late registration will be available Oct. 11-24 with an additional $25 late fee, and no registrations will be accepted after Oct. 24.
"We were super happy with the turnout this fall, and we just want to continue to spread the word about the MSA and what we have to offer to the youth not only in Mitchell, but the surrounding areas, as well," Mullenmeister said. "We have probably one of the most beautiful grass soccer complexes in the state, and we recognize that and want to grow and continue to develop young kids here in Mitchell."