From humble, maybe even desperate beginnings, spawned one of the premier college prep soccer camps in the country.

The year was 2001, and Tim Lenahan had just been named men’s head coach at Northwestern, taking over a team that had gone 0-17-1 the year before. The program had not had a winning season since 1988, and recruiting wasn’t exactly booming.

But in spite of dire circumstances, Lenahan decided to hold the first ever College Soccer Training Center on campus, an intimate gathering of just 23 players that simulated the collegiate atmosphere and prepared players for the transition.

“I remember that first year because the camp size was so personal.  We only needed our staff, Erik Ronning (now head coach at Colgate) and I to run it.,” Lenahan said. We split the camp into two groups and I coached both groups.  We played each other once and brought in some outside teams to provide a little competition.  I sat down with each and every player and gave them a personal 10 minute evaluation.  It was a great start even if the camp was very small.”

Maintaining the small-feel while growing in capability and legend, the CSTC is set for another highly anticipated year of soccer instruction held July 22-25. Because of the boon in camp participation, this year Lenahan has decided to cut the camp’s size by 30 percent in order to sustain the quality and personal attention that have become staples at the Northwestern summer sessions.   

And as the participation has grown, so too has the program. The Wildcats have enjoyed NCAA Tournament appearances in five of the last six seasons while becoming a major force in the nationally recognized Big Ten Conference.

For a player attending the CSTC, the multiple benefits can be quantified by looking at past attendees.

Two-time All-Big Ten athlete and former MLS player Brad North; two of the top goal scorers from last year, Andrew Bulls (UMBC) and Matt Eliason (Northwestern); All-ACC player Jason Herrick and Real Salt Lake footballer Rashauwn McKenzie are among the many who have graced the Northwestern campus to take part in the program.

“It was a life-changing event for me,” said Alex Morawiecki, a former participant at the CSTC. All the things that were shared about being successful in college just blew me away and I applied those things and went on to have a successful career.”

Now an assistant men’s coach at Xavier, Morawiecki is evidence of the kind of impact that this event can have on everyone involved.

The CSTC has stood the test of time, adding to its rich history with each passing year.

“We have come a long way since the 23 kid camp days,” Lenahan said. “But I think the quality of the camp, personal nature, and the idea of helping kids to a better college experience has maintained from day one.”

Click here for more information on the CSTC or to register.