ERIE, Pa.–TOPS Soccer is a community based program that gives special needs children from North Western, Pennsylvania an opportunity to participate with the Penn State Behrend student-athletes to build life-long friendships while developing soccer skills children may carry with them throughout the summer.

Starting March 16, on every Wednesday for the next seven weeks from 6-7:30 p.m., the men's and women's soccer team will work to promote good health, awareness and basic soccer skills to the community's youth. TOPS Soccer program is in partnership with the Behrend athletics and student-body. For the past 10 years, the program's goal has been to pair a child with at least one student-athlete while working to develop soccer talent in the Junker Center gymnasium.

"This is a great opportunity for our student body to make a positive impact on the community," said head men's soccer coach Dan Perritano. "It gives them a chance to broaden their collegiate experience."

TOPS Soccer would also like to give special thanks to East Erie Kiwanis Club and the Sertoma Club for their shared support over the previous years.