Middle school soccer is officially on the rise in Eastern Iowa, as both Mount Vernon and Solon have rolled out fully sanctioned junior high soccer programs for the f irst time in their school histories. What started as informal community-led teams has now grown into structured school-sponsored programs that provide more opportunities for students to compete, grow, and stay involved in a sport that’s gaining traction year after year.
The movement didn’t happen overnight. It took years of gradual development, committed coaching, and school support to get to this point. But now, for families who couldn’t always afford travel soccer or club fees, these new programs are changing the game.
A Five-Year Journey in Mount Vernon
In Mount Vernon, the idea of starting a middle school soccer program began nearly five years ago, sparked by a push from the high school coaching staff who saw the need to grow the sport from the ground up.
“We had a push from our high school soccer program to try to get something implemented at the middle school level,” said Mount Vernon Middle School activities director Aaron Truitt. “Most of the kids were doing club stuff, but they felt like if we could get it started in the middle school, it would be less expensive for the families and a way to introduce it to kids that don’t have the money or the time to play club and travel around.”
The process began as more of a club-style program. The school didn’t officially sponsor it at first, but provided the practice and game fields and later began to chip in on game-day costs.
“In year one, everything was handled by the parents and coaches,” Truitt explained. “Transportation, uniforms, equipment—it was all on them. The coach was a volunteer. We were just trying to get it off the ground.”
Over time, the school took on more responsibility. In year two, they began providing buses for away games.
By year three, they added funding for officials. Truitt said the original plan was to officially sanction the program in year four, but budget issues delayed it. Still, they stuck with the goal.
“This year, year five, we are fully sanctioned,” he said. “We now pay coaches, cover equipment costs, uniforms, everything. Coaches are certified just like they are in our other sports.”
One of those coaches is Richard Lewis, who has played a major role since the beginning. A parent himself, Lewis helped coach in the early volunteer stages and now leads the boys’ team officially.
“He’s been a real driving force,” Truitt said. “He’s coached his own sons through the youth levels and has stuck with it. We wouldn’t be where we are without his effort and passion.”
Solon Joins the Movement
Solon’s path has been similar, starting small but steadily gaining momentum. The town’s middle school program first began under the name Solon FC, a grassroots effort led by passionate community members who saw the same gap Mount Vernon did—a need for accessible, local soccer options.
“Solon FC started as a way to give our kids more access to soccer without having to commit to expensive, time-consuming club travel,” said Solon Activities Director Casey Hack. “We’ve had great leadership with our coaches. They really helped grow the program from the ground up.”
Much of that leadership came from Chris and March Sutton, two parents and coaches who helped shape the early years of Solon FC. With their guidance, the program organized schedules, secured uniforms, handled travel, and created an inclusive environment for kids who simply wanted to play.
“They built it from the ground up,” Hack said. “It started with maybe a dozen kids, and now we’re regularly seeing full teams and even multiple squads per grade level.”
The student interest has grown fast. Hack said they’ve had strong turnouts across both boys’ and girls’ teams and that the energy at games is now on par with other middle school sports.
“The kids are fired up. You go to a game and it feels like a real team atmosphere,” he said. “They’re wearing school colors, playing under the lights sometimes, and just having fun. That’s what we want.”
This year, Solon FC officially became part of the Solon Community School District’s sanctioned athletics. Coaches are now district employees, games are scheduled through the school, and teams have access to school resources.
“We’ve brought it under the school umbrella, and it’s been a smooth transition,” Hack said. “Having the school behind it gives it more structure, consistency, and respect. It also helps these athletes feel like they’re truly part of the Spartan sports system.”
Next year, Solon is set to join the growing WaMaC junior high soccer conference. That means more regular competition with nearby programs like Mount Vernon, Marion, and Center Point-Urbana, and fewer scheduling headaches for coaches and parents.
“We’re excited to be joining the WaMaC officially,” Hack said. “It gives the program more legitimacy and it makes it easier to organize a season with schools that are taking it just as seriously.”
Looking ahead, Solon also hopes to expand its middle school soccer offerings even more—whether that means additional practice fields, expanded coaching staff, or hosting its own tournaments.
“This is just the start,” Hack said. “We’re proud of where the program is today, but even more excited for where it’s headed.”
Growth in Numbers and Impact
One of the major reasons these programs have been successful is because they fill a gap for kids who fall between recreational soccer and elite club teams.
“The goal was to get those middle-tier kids an opportunity to stay involved,” Truitt said. “Not everyone can afford club dues or travel every weekend. But if they can keep playing through middle school, it helps them stay engaged and improves high school participation.”
That’s already happening. Mount Vernon’s high school teams have seen a jump in numbers since the junior high program began. According to Truitt, the boys’ team currently has 34 players, while the girls’ team has 21—a steady increase compared to years before.
“There was a time where you’d play parks and rec as a kid, but by fifth or sixth grade those options faded unless you had the means to join a club in Cedar Rapids,” he said. “Now, we’re giving kids a chance to keep going, and that’s made a difference.”
Hack agreed that the middle school program gives students a chance to grow as athletes and people, without the pressure of winning or the financial stress of club soccer.
“We want to provide a fun, positive experience at the middle school level,” he said. “This isn’t about winning trophies—it’s about learning the game, being part of a team, and hopefully continuing that journey into high school and beyond.”
Looking Ahead
As both programs continue to grow, there’s hope for more variety in competition and more support from the schools. For now, most teams play only six games per season, often against the same opponents more than once. But with more schools joining the conference, that’s expected to change.
“We’d love to get to the point where we don’t have to repeat opponents,” Truitt said. “Ideally, each game would be against a new team. That keeps things fresh and helps us keep building excitement.”
Uniform rotations, equipment upgrades, and expanded coaching staff are all part of the long-term plan. With support from school boards, athletic departments, and the community, middle school soccer in Mount Vernon and Solon looks ready to thrive.
Hack summed it up: “This is a great opportunity for our students. We’re not just building soccer players— we’re building school spirit, teamwork, and a love for the game.”