CA News

Hilltop Tigers Soccer Club Shutdown: What It Means for Youth and Community Safety

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by

Lucy
in

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Key Takeaways

  • The Hilltop Tigers Soccer Club serves over 150 youth in Columbus’s west side but has suspended operations due to funding shortages.
  • Funding needs approximately $230,000 annually to sustain coaching, transportation, meals, and facilities, but only a fraction of requested grants was awarded.
  • The program provides athletic, leadership, mentorship, and safety benefits, preventing youth involvement in drugs, gangs, and street crime.
  • Loss of the Tigers impacts community safety and youth development; experts highlight its cost-effectiveness compared to juvenile incarceration.
  • Organizers are seeking new funding and support to potentially revive the program, emphasizing the need for increased investment in youth initiatives in underserved communities.

Table of Contents

Why the Hilltop Tigers Matter

The Funding Shortfall

The Community Impact

What’s Next for Hilltop Tigers?

The Bigger Picture

FAQ

Sources

Why the Hilltop Tigers Matter

Since its creation eight years ago under the nonprofit MY Project USA, the Hilltop Tigers have provided more than just soccer training. This program offers:

  • Athletic development and leadership training
  • Mentorship and educational support
  • Protection and constructive activities that divert youth from drugs, gangs, and street crime

The program has also seen some players progress to the Columbus Crew Academy, demonstrating its role as a youth development pipeline[2].

The Funding Shortfall

MY Project USA reports needing approximately $230,000 annually to support coaches’ salaries, transportation, meals, and facility rentals. Despite community interest and over 200 organizations applying for grants totaling more than $33 million, only 112 organizations received funding—totaling $8.6 million—with MY Project USA missing out this year[1][2].

This funding shortfall has forced the nonprofit to prioritize essential programs like food distribution and healthcare, leaving sports and youth programming on hold, frustrating leaders and children alike[1][2].

The Community Impact

The loss of the Hilltop Tigers is heartbreaking and alarming for families and community leaders. 12-year-old Amina Haji shares sadness over the abrupt end of a program seen as a family and a personal growth pathway[1].

Experts emphasize that preventing youth incarceration and violence through engagement initiatives like the Tigers is cost-effective. Franklin County spends nearly $185,000 annually to incarcerate a single youth—roughly the same as supporting all participants in the soccer program[2].

What’s Next for Hilltop Tigers?

MY Project USA and the program’s leadership remain dedicated to securing new financial support to revive the soccer club. The community’s strong call for youth programming could energize renewed funding efforts, but as of July 2025, the future remains uncertain[1][2].

The Bigger Picture

This funding cut underscores a broader challenge in supporting youth initiatives in under-resourced areas. As competition for funds increases, critical programs for marginalized children’s well-being and development face existential threats.

For policymakers and community stakeholders, the Hilltop Tigers’ situation emphasizes the urgent need to:

  • Increase investment in youth sports and mentorship programs
  • Recognize the social and economic benefits of youth engagement in crime prevention
  • Support fair and accessible funding mechanisms for community-based organizations

FAQ

What caused the shutdown of the Hilltop Tigers?

The program suspended operations due to a funding crisis stemming from lack of city and state support.

What is the community’s response?

Families and community leaders are saddened and alarmed by the program’s suspension, emphasizing the need for renewed support to protect youth development and community safety.

Are there plans to revive the Tigers?

Organizers are actively seeking new funding sources and community backing to potentially restore the soccer club, but the future remains uncertain as of July 2025.

Sources