The men's and women's soccer programs at Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne, recently launched a free youth league with the goal of introducing children to the game.

Open to kindergarten through third graders, the Mini'Dons instructional league ran for eight consecutive weeks this fall.

Indiana/Purdue-Fort Wayne head men's and women's soccer coach Terry Stefankiewicz, who came up with the idea and who also was able to secure a $15,000 grant from the Wilson Foundation to fund the venture, said the league's purpose was simple: to introduce kids to soccer and to have fun.

"We wanted our players to be able to give back to the game," he said. "This was something we wanted to do for a long time, but we just couldn't get everything to 'click' until this year."

With the help of an ad in the local newspaper, the league registered 250 kids within a week. The grant allowed the school to provide free of charge to each participant a soccer ball and a uniform consisting of a shirt, shorts and socks. The university also purchased 24 mini-goals.

The league convened every Monday and offered 30 minutes of instruction and 30 minutes of game time. Indiana/Purdue-Ft. Wayne student-athletes coached 24 teams of 10 to 12 players each.

Mini'Dons participants also were invited to attend Indiana/Purdue-Fort Wayne men's and women's home soccer contests, and at halftime they were invited to play on the field, a move that Stefankiewicz said drew 60 to 70 kids per game.

Although initially he had to sell his players on the idea, by the end of the eight weeks the student-athletes had become like big brothers and sisters to the younger kids.

"It was wildly successful," Stefankiewicz said. "We even got to the point where we opened up concessions. It was just a fun family-type atmosphere."

Trent Miller, a sophomore on the men's squad who had a chance to coach a team of third graders, said he enjoyed the experience.

"It was just a lot of fun seeing the smiles on all the kids' faces, watching them playing games, having a good time and learning at the same time," he said. "It made me feel good seeing that and I know they enjoyed every bit of it."

Graduate assistant coach Ian Luya, who assisted in planning the activities for each week of the league, agreed that the experience was positive for the participants and the school.

"I've coached teams like this before and you can see that the kids actually get a lot out of it," he said. "I think it reflects well on the university as a whole."

Women's soccer player Korin Maciulski, who worked the concession stand and filled in when coaches couldn't stay for an entire session, said she enjoyed serving as a role model for the girls.

"I told them they can get dirty and play tough, too," she said.

Overall, Maciulski said, the league helped kids and provided a bonding experience for the student-athletes.

"I think it helped us as a team. We didn't just help the kids," she said. "I think it helped us bond as a team and as a program. It was just good to get out in the community and help a little bit."

Stefankiewicz, who hopes the league will return next year with the same level of funding, if not more, said initially he was concerned about the time the league would take away from the players' schedules, but it turned out to be worthwhile.

"We got kids coming to our games and the players like to see the stands full. They liked playing with the kids. The kids really looked up to our players. It turned out to be a great. It was something I was proud to be a part of," he said.