Building soccer skills and brighter futures – for all children

Gina Gallagher | Citizens Contributor

They come from different backgrounds, cultures, and socioeconomic circumstances, but all the children on the athletic field in Cleveland Heights, Ohio come with a common goal: to build their soccer skills.

Off the field, however, they'll gain much more – like self-confidence and the acceptance of others. That was the goal of 51-year-old Cleveland Heights resident, Sean Sullivan, when he started this summer camp, Heights United Soccer Academy, more than 20 years ago.

An award-winning coach and teacher, Sean wanted to ensure that children from all racial and economic backgrounds get the skills and inspiration they need to succeed on the field – and in life. It’s that commitment that has earned him and his academy recognition as a 2021 Citizens Small Business Community Champion.

Living the professional soccer dream

Adopted by a biracial family at the age of six months, Sean Sullivan lived in a lot of places in his youth. Eventually, his family settled in Cleveland Heights for its diversity and educational opportunities.

It was there, in a city camp program that 8-year-old Sean discovered a passion: soccer.

He went on to be a high school star and set his sights high for his future – a professional career in soccer.

“I realized pretty quickly that it simply wasn’t going to happen," laughs Sean.

Fortunately, he did uncover another passion growing up in the city camp system.

"My first job was a camp counselor,” he recounts. “I thought working with young kids was the coolest thing in the world.”

While in college, Sean continued to work as a counselor and assistant director at the community camp, until he suggested that they create a separate camp for soccer, which he was asked to run.

Upon graduation, he got a job teaching first grade in Cleveland Heights, at the same school he attended, and a job coaching high school soccer. He continued to run the soccer camp until 2000, when he received disappointing news of a budget cut that would put the soccer program at risk of being shut down.

Sean wasn't ready to let that happen.

“I took a huge leap of faith, got a business ID number, and decided to run the camp on my own.”

With that, his business, Heights United Soccer Academy, was born.

Teaching soccer skills – and the importance of giving back

Sean learned many things from his adoptive family, including acceptance and service.

“My parents were very community-focused,” he proudly recalls. “They taught me the importance of accepting and helping others."

Those values have been the basis of the Heights United program.

"The camp was like a home," says 20-year-old Judea Lowe, who attended Heights for much of her youth. "It was a place you could trust and be yourself. Everyone was different, but was accepting of each other."

One area of great difference was the economic circumstances among families in the community. To help level the playing field and ensure all children could benefit from the camp, Sean began offering scholarships.

“We have some very wealthy families and families who struggle to put food on the table,” Sean explains. “I try to do everything in my power to ensure all kids are taken care of.”

Sean also wanted kids who attended the program to take advantage of an opportunity that was available to him in his youth – to become counselors in training and eventually members of his staff.

Adam Graham-Mumma, who started the camp at age 11, has taken advantage of that opportunity and gained something that Sean did as a counselor – a future career path.

"The camp is why I'm in college studying to be a teacher," he shares. "I love getting to know and work with the kids."

Unexpected challenges – and a winning opportunity

Sean, who teaches students in grades K-5 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics

(STEM) feels very fortunate to have two careers that bring together his two passions.

But in 2020, when COVID-19 struck, he was at serious risk of losing the community soccer home he created.

"We had zero income for over a year," he admits. "Last year was the first time we didn't have summer camp in 25 years."

Eager to find a solution to his financial challenges, Sean entered the Citizens 2021 Small Business Community Champion Award contest.

It was one of the best moves he could have made.

“This award is really special to me," he shares. "The prize money will be used to help kids get soccer gear, but most of all to give them the opportunity to come to camp. We've already been able to provide financial help to 37 kids.”

He will also use a portion of the money to provide medals and trophies to all 75 campers in 2021, and pay for gifts for the camp's annual Carnival Day, when every child will receive a new toy.

"The prize money came at a perfect time and literally saved us," admits Sean. "I had a few parents in tears when I told them that we could help subsidize some or all of the tuition. I couldn't be more grateful."

A proud tradition of giving back

For his work in the classroom and in helping support all members of the community, Sean has much to be proud about. In 2012, he was recognized with Ohio’s highest coaching honor. He's also been recognized as educator of the year and been inducted into the Cleveland Heights High School Hall of Fame.

But of all his accomplishments, he is most proud of the impact he has had on the community that gave so much to him.

Sean said, “The city of Cleveland Heights and the school district have played a significant role in shaping who I am today. I'm so proud that I've been able to pay that forward."