Writer / Shannon Coleman
For more than 25 years, FC Pride Soccer Club has been creating opportunities for young athletes in Lawrence and throughout Indiana, giving players a place to learn, compete and grow through the sport of soccer.
Located at 11960 E. 62nd St. in the Lawrence community, FC Pride offers programs designed to meet athletes at different stages of their development. From recreational soccer for young beginners to travel soccer and the highest levels of youth competition, the club provides a pathway for players who want to continue challenging themselves as they grow.
FC Pride also offers WPSL and NPSL teams, bringing college athletes to Lawrence during the summer to compete at a high level.
“We are serious about developing players,” said Shannon Coleman, FC Pride club president. “We are very proud to give them opportunities to keep challenging themselves as they grow.”
For Coleman, the impact of FC Pride extends well beyond what happens on the soccer field. She has been involved with the club for more than 10 years and has experienced its influence firsthand, including watching her own daughter, Tatum, grow as a player.
“Watching the player development is probably what makes the biggest impression on me,” Coleman said.
Soccer provides athletes with opportunities to compete, establish goals and work with coaches who challenge them to improve. At the same time, the club creates experiences that bring families together over the course of many years.
Some FC Pride players go on to compete at very high levels, while others simply enjoy the opportunity to play the sport they love. Coleman believes both paths are equally important.
“Our biggest responsibility is giving each player the chance to become better than they were when they arrived,” she said.
Those lessons are not limited to soccer. FC Pride aims to help young athletes develop qualities that will serve them throughout their lives, including hard work, discipline, commitment and accountability.
Success, Coleman said, rarely comes without effort. Young athletes experience both victories and disappointments through competition, providing opportunities to learn how to respond to challenges and setbacks.
“The lessons they learn through competition extend far beyond the soccer field,” she said. “I hope our players leave FC Pride with confidence in themselves. Most importantly, I hope they understand the value of working hard for what they want in life.”
As FC Pride continues to grow, the organization is focused on ensuring its facilities and resources keep pace with the needs of its players and programs.
Community support plays an important role in that effort. Sponsorships from local businesses help FC Pride continue investing in its programs and facilities while creating opportunities for athletes throughout the Lawrence community and beyond.
“We are fortunate to have businesses that believe in what FC Pride is building and want to be part of our future,” Coleman said.
For local businesses, families and community members looking for ways to support youth athletics, FC Pride offers an opportunity to become part of an organization focused on player development, personal growth and community.
Businesses interested in partnering with FC Pride can contact Coleman at president@fcpride.org.
Through soccer, FC Pride continues to build more than skilled athletes. It is helping young people develop confidence, perseverance and the belief that hard work can help them achieve meaningful goals — lessons that can last long after their playing days are over.
