Soccer Club Sets Goal To Fund New Field In Buffalo Grove

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — Next year, Schwaben Athletic Club will be celebrating its 100th anniversary, making it one of the oldest independent soccer clubs in the country. To commemorate the special milestone, the club is hoping to add a new turf field with lighting on Weiland Road.

Organized by Alicia Lauhon, Schwaben's youth program and communications director, a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the costs of the endeavor has been launched. As of Thursday, $3,300 of a $250,000 goal has been raised. All donations/contributions are tax-deductible.

"A cornerstone of our next chapter is improving our facilities," the campaign reads. "We're investing in a state-of-the-art artificial turf field with lighting to ensure our players enjoy an unparalleled soccer experience — regardless of weather or daylight limitations during late fall, winter, and early spring."

The club includes a youth program, as well as men's and women's teams.

Schwaben was founded by 13 "passionate" young men in Chicago in 1926. The club won six Major Division Championships in the late 1950s.

"Over decades of success, including 1964 and 1998 US National Amateur Championships as well as producing two national Hall of Famers and numerous Illinois Hall of Famers, thousands of players have called Schwaben home, finding a safe space to foster a healthy lifestyle, a love of soccer, and deep community connections both on and off the field," the campaign reads.

In April 1970, the membership voted unanimously to purchase eight acres of land in Vernon Township, later to be incorporated into Buffalo Grove. Two years later, Schwaben A.C. joined forces with the Schwaben Verein, a social club, and sold them one half of the original eight acres, and together they purchased an additional 10 acres across the street, which has a brick home on it to be used for the caretaker.

"Help us grow the Schwaben Athletic Club as we prepare for the next 100 years of incredible soccer, teamwork, and community spirit," the campaign reads. "Join us on this journey — together, we can build a new era for Schwaben."