The St. Joe Kickers will open their 73rd soccer season on May 21 at their home field near Berrien Center when they host the South Bend Unathletics.
St. Joe Kickers Sport Director Christopher Haack tells us it’s hard to believe they’ve kept the Kickers tradition going for so long. The club started out modestly.
“There were just about a half dozen German immigrants, kind of bound by their love of soccer, and they started kicking the ball around,” Haack said. “Actually, it wasn’t even a ball. They just had some rags tied together, and they’d go out at lunch and kick around, and then they started playing down at Kiwanis Park.”
The club later became part of a league in Chicago before joining the Western Michigan Soccer League, the Michiana Soccer Association, and finally the Blossomland Soccer League, their current league. Haack says they now have two teams and will play throughout the season at their home field on Hetler Drive off M-139 between Berrien Springs and St. Joseph.
The games are open to the public for free.
“A lot of interest, a lot of fun, and it’s great to think that the Kickers, which started soccer in the area, is still going strong and looking toward their 75th anniversary, and I’m sure there’ll be a big celebration for that.”
All home games will be at 7 p.m. with the Kickers clubroom open for food and beverages all evening.
Haack also urges everyone to keep an eye out for an announcement about the Kickers Oktoberfest later this year.
You can learn more about the St. Joe Kickers right here.
ST. JOE KICKERS HOME SCHEDULE — 2026:
Thurs., May 21 7pm – SJK Premier vs. South Bend Unathletics
Thurs., May 28 7pm – SJK Premier vs. Bridgman P&R FC
Thurs., June 4 7pm – SJK Premier vs. South Bend Velociraptors
Thurs., June 11 7pm – SJK Premier vs. Cassopolis Pumas
Thurs., June 18 7pm – SJK Blau vs. Bridgman P&R FC
Thurs., June 25 7pm – SJK Blau vs. Niles Pathfinders
Thurs., July 2 7pm – SJK Premier vs. Niles Pathfinders
Sun., July 12 5pm – SJK Blau vs. Chesterton (Ind.) RFA Legends
Thurs., July 16 7pm – SJK Blau vs. SJK Premier
Sun., July 26 1pm – Blossomland Cup Tournament Championship
