The history of organized soccer in Columbus starts in the early 1970's when John McLachlan, a former professional soccer player in Britain, formed some 5th and 6th grade intramural teams at Parkside and Kent Elementary Schools. The kids loved the game and John's delightful Scottish accent, and soon games were being played on some marked off pitches behind Parkside School. In 1974 a committee began working with the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department to form a citywide league. In 1974, 90 players took part in Saturday morning games on two fields at Parkside. From then on soccer grew rapidly. In 1977 the Columbus Express Soccer Club formed and traveling teams were organized for better competition for continued development of the more skillful players. Then the following year, 1978, Express hosted the Leicester Beavers, a youth team from Leicester, England. This English inspiration followed U-12 and U-14 teams to win the State Championship in 1979. By 1981 Columbus teams became competitive at nearly all age levels. Later in 1981 Columbus Express sent its first team to play a series of games in England. Today Columbus Express has won numerous State Championships and is recognized as one of the top clubs in the state. Throughout the 80's, Columbus Soccer programs continued growing and outgrowing the Parkside facility. A plan for a new facility to the north of the Parkside field was formed by then president, Dick Wigh. Thanks to a generous lease from the Airport Authority and donations from local corporations, businesses, private individuals, parents and players, Express built the finest soccer complex in Indiana. With Dick's monumental personal effort it was appropriate that the facility be named the Wigh Soccer Center when it was turned over to the City of Columbus. Through the '90's soccer in Columbus continues to grow. Columbus Express is a well established club with a 24 year history of good youth soccer. Express will field more then 20 travel teams this spring (Boys and Girls U10-U19) and have 1200 boys and girls in the Columbus Parks and Recreation leagues playing every spring and fall. Soccer is the number one youth sport in Columbus, and has been for many years. In 1996 an interest in hosting a tournament emerged. Steve Audretch and Vicki Fonte, were instrumental in starting in 1997, the First Annual Columbus Express Playoffs. With Vicki Fonte's leadership the Playoffs have grown and secured community support. Today our club is faced with several challenges, our board of directors and tournament committee are struggling with turnover, improvements at the Richard Wigh Soccer Center and Chapman Blakwell III Park. Our Express board has committed $100,000 to the Parks and Recreation $500,000 improvements planned. Express is working close with the Parks and Recreation department to coordinate the improvements in irrigation, lighting, grading, bathrooms, parking and buildings. We have progressed and addressed some of the club's growth issues. Now the club will be focusing on the politics of getting some of the promised improvements from the city and Parks and Recreation. Adding concessions for Express games is one of the items that has been kicked around. We have been close in the last few seasons, but issues came up. These changes will give Columbus, Indiana one of the best sites for soccer and a very bright future.