OUR HISTORY
The Michigan Wolves Soccer Club is a 501c3 non-profit premier level soccer club based in Livonia, Michigan. Originally part of the Wolves-Hawks Soccer Club, it was conceived in 1974 with the support of the Livonia Family YMCA. Initiators of the soccer movement within the YMCA were Shirley Ritter, Executive Director of the YMCA, and Paul Scicluna, Head Soccer Coach. We are thankful for their courage, wisdom, and vision; it has allowed this soccer club to become one of the most successful soccer clubs in the country.
OUR MISSION
'Prepare players for the next steps in soccer and in life'
The Michigan Wolves has 50 years of experience in developing Michigan's best players and teams. We instill a love for the game in our young players and cultivate that passion as each athlete matures. We build a pride in our individuals, our teams and our club. We foster an environment that allows each player to experience the thrill of competition and participation, and the challenge of improvement. The Wolves take pride in the growth of club members as athletes, students and responsible young men.
OUR CORE VALUES
The Michigan Wolves Soccer Club is built around three core values: character, commitment, and courage. Above all, this club is about people. We take great pride in the way in which our members live out these principles.
CHARACTER
Club: Since 1974, the club has build a reputation of trust and stability. The Wolves’ club and its leaders have demonstrated character by cultivating relationships with professional clubs, with collegiate programs, and with the governing bodies in our sport, thereby continuing to earn respect from the soccer world.
Coaches: We place great importance on choosing individuals who lead by example and demonstrate qualities like honesty, reliability, and integrity on and off of the field of play. We expect our staff members to treat opponents, officials, parents, and players with class.
Parents: Wolves’ parents are expected to demonstrate appropriate sideline behavior, represent the club in an exemplary way, and set a positive example for the players.
Players: The club strives to build players whose character is revealed through good decisions on and off the field and who represent their families, their coaches, and their club with honor.
COMMITMENT
Club: We continue to improve our daily environment by maintaining elite facilities, competing in the top leagues, and offering the pathway that will enable us to fulfill our mission of preparing players for their next steps in soccer and in life.
Coaches: Staff members are highly invested and serve as leaders for our players. Wolves’ coaches demonstrate commitment with reflection and continuing education, with their time and reliability, and with their concern for the well-being of their players.
Parents: Our parents show commitment by trusting the Wolves’ mission, by supporting the players on their developmental pathway, and by collaborating with the club and our coaches to maximize each player’s potential.
Players: Players live out the core value of commitment by offering more than just good attendance. Wolves’ players are expected to own their development, train with the intent to improve, and make healthy decisions away from the field.
COURAGE
Club: The club vows to make decisions for the good of the game and with the best interests of players in mind. We strive to play the “Wolves Way” even in the most challenging conditions, and we are willing to stand for our principles.
Coaches: Our coaches show courage by following the club’s philosophy on soccer and teaching and through an unwavering player-centered approach.
Parents: Parents are encouraged to trust the club, its coaches, and its plan for player development. Our families know that players will experience peaks and valleys, exultation and disappointment, and they understand that the process will promote growth.
Players: The Michigan Wolves Soccer Club seeks to empower players who are bold on the field, brave in their daily lives, and willing to do the right thing even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable.
OUR PROGRAM
'Dedicated to excellence and player development'
Coupled with our history of being the most successful youth soccer club in Michigan, the Michigan Wolves are excited to be a part of the future of soccer in the United States and continue to provide unique programming to our players. Our teams play at the very highest level in United States, the Midwest Region and Michigan. We compete in MLS NEXT, U.S. Club Soccer’s Elite Clubs National League, U.S. Youth Soccer’s National League as well as Michigan State Youth Soccer Association leagues.
While the MLS NEXT, Elite Clubs National League and National League are currently designed for the U13 and above age groups, the Michigan Wolves Soccer Club continue to emphasize player development at all age groups. Our teams follow a purposefully designed curriculum that emphasizes age-specific technical skills combined with tactical decision-making to ensure the right information is received at the appropriate age level. We have strengthened our coaching staff to make certain our club leads the state in this essential area of player development. In addition to team practices, the club runs weekly technical training sessions, goalkeeping practices and unique clinics.
Products of our proven player development pathway include former Wolves are currently rostered in Major League Soccer: Ken Krolicki (Montreal Impact), Mitch Hildebrandt (Atlanta United), and Adam Grinwis (Orlando City). Over the years, we have had nine players compete in MLS. One of those individuals, Jacob Peterson, has played in the league for 12 years, has appeared in more than 250 regular season games, and has scored 25 career goals. Additionally, a number of players have gone on to play professionally in Europe, including Josh Gatt (Molde FK, Norway), Sean Cunningham (Molde FK), and Nermin Crnkic (FC RWE, Germany). Historically, Wolves players have made an impact on our National Team program at various age groups. In 2012-13, the club was greatly honored when Wolves alum Josh Gatt earned two caps with the full US Men's National team as he competed against Russia and Canada.
Finally, the club has always made a strong commitment to placing student-athletes at top universities around the country and in assisting their search for college scholarships. Over the past decade, we have witnessed an inordinate number of college scholarships being awarded to our players. Our older players have shown the ability to combine athletics with academics and character. College coaches, on the other hand, recognize our young men and women as people who can both perform at the highest level of competitive soccer and excel in the classroom. This is truly a winning combination: student-athletes who are skillful, disciplined, and balanced.
