The Aurora University men's soccer program was honored by the Wackerlin Center for Faith and Action with the Volunteer Project of the Year award.

The project the Spartan men's lsoccer team received the award for was the service with Chicago TOPSoccer, a community based organization that brings the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to children with severe mental and physical disabilities.

"Service has been an intergral part of our men's soccer program, and we are extremely fortunate to have a relationship with TOPSoccer Chicago. Our players and staff members have always been positively impacted by the service this organization provides and the children we get to work with," said Head Coach Amir St. Clair. "To be recognized for an award off-the-field is a credit to our players commitment to be complete student-athletes and honors their desire to make a difference outside of athletics. We are very grateful and proud to represent AU in this way."

AU men's soccer has been working with Chicago TOPSoccer for three years and usually volunteer a few times a year with their program at Addison Trail High School. Men's soccer student-athletes become "buddies" with children in the program and help them learn as well as have fun with the game of soccer.  While playing soccer is the focal point of the program, one of the main goals is to provide a forum for the children to be in a social, fun setting with other children.