The St. Joe Kickers Sports Club is preparing to celebrate its 70th anniversary.
The club was founded in 1953 when newly arrived German immigrants, lonely in their new country, met to play soccer at Kiwanis Park in St. Joseph. Over time, the group grew and moved to different venues.
Club Sports Director Chris Haack tells us there was a whole German community in Berrien County coming out of World War II.
“It’s amazing that this club was built by these people that life obviously couldn’t have handed worse cards to,” Haack said. “A lot of them escaped the Soviets after parts of Germany were parceled off to them, and we even had some prisoners of war that were brought over by the Americans. I think there was a camp in Bridgman, and they decided, ‘You know what? This is a pretty good place to live.'”
The St. Joe Kickers Sports Club adopted English as its language in 1968 as the focus shifted more to sports than culture. In the early 70s, it acquired its own indoor facility in Royalton Township, and today, it has 315 adult members and their children.
A 70th anniversary celebration is planned for November 4 with traditional German food and live music. Everyone’s welcome, and it’s $25 for non-members. RSVP information is below.
The public is invited to St. Joe Kickers Sports Club’s 70th anniversary celebration on November 4, 2023. Enjoy traditional German fayre and Tommy Schober and the Sorgenbrecher Band. Doors open at 6pm. The band plays from 7-11pm. Members are free while guests are $25. All attendees need reservations for the roulade dinner and champagne toast. Reservations are due November 1.
Please mail RSVP checks to:
PO Box 336 St. Joseph, MI 49085 and include the names of those for whom you are paying.
