McCracken County Youth Soccer Association delays registration amid uncertainty over county partnership

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

PADUCAH, Ky. (KBSI) — The future of the McCracken County Youth Soccer Association is uncertain as league leaders wait for answers about whether the nonprofit can continue operating at the McCracken County Soccer Complex.

MCYSA has delayed registration for its fall 2026 season while seeking written clarification from McCracken County about its long-standing use and maintenance agreement at the complex.

In a letter dated July 15 and addressed to the McCracken County Fiscal Court, MCYSA said it wants to continue operating its recreational soccer league at the county-owned complex and asked officials to clarify whether that partnership will continue.

According to the letter, the nonprofit’s volunteer board has participated in meetings with McCracken County and Sports Facilities Companies, which manages the Paducah Sports Park by CFSB, about a potential recreational youth soccer program that could be offered through the sports park.

MCYSA said the program under discussion would attempt to match its registration fees during the first season, but games and practices would be limited to Monday through Thursday evenings. League leaders said that schedule would not provide the same accessible, community-based model the nonprofit has offered local families.

“As things stand now,” the board wrote in a Facebook post Monday, “most of the McCracken County Soccer Complex will be closed by the County, the MCYSA will likely cease to exist, and we believe the Sports Park will instead be offering a similar recreational youth soccer program, starting this fall.”

The board said it has not received a written response from the county. MCYSA said it was expecting approximately 700 children to participate this fall and warned that continued delays could make it difficult to hold a successful season.

Under the existing arrangement, MCYSA volunteers mow and maintain the soccer complex in exchange for priority use of the fields.

“That partnership with the county is what allows us to achieve affordable, community-based soccer in McCracken County,” the board wrote. “If that partnership ends, our league will end and our nonprofit will end too.”

Hanna Seyb contacted FOX23 by email after learning about the uncertainty surrounding the league. Seyb, a family nurse practitioner, said she was reaching out primarily as the mother of an MCYSA player.

“It was kind of shocking. It was heartbreaking because these kids love it,” Seyb said. “My daughter’s already been talking about getting a new set of cleats. It means so much for these kids.”

Seyb said her daughter was preparing for what would have been her third season with MCYSA. She said the league has helped children develop confidence, friendships and sportsmanship while giving families an affordable way to participate in recreational sports.

“When we started, my daughter didn’t know anything about soccer,” Seyb said. “Now she’s meeting friends, she’s getting confidence and learning sportsmanship. Those are all so important — not just now at eight years old — but for the rest of our lives.”

Seyb also pointed to the issue through her experience in health care. She said recreational leagues help children stay physically active while supporting their confidence, mental well-being and social development. She said affordable programs are especially important for families that cannot pay for travel teams, club fees or frequent tournaments.

“I understand there are many perspectives surrounding the future of the soccer complex, and I respect that,” Seyb wrote in her email to KBSI. “However, I hope our community also considers that not every positive outcome can be measured by revenue or economic impact. Some of the greatest returns on investment are children who are healthier, more confident, physically active, and connected to their community.”

MCYSA has scheduled a community meeting for 6 p.m. Friday, July 24, at the concession stand pavilion at the McCracken County Soccer Complex. Board members plan to discuss their understanding of the meetings held over the past several months, outline the organization’s options and answer questions from parents, coaches and volunteers.

FOX23 reached out to McCracken County officials for comment but had not received a response as of publication. This story will be updated if the county responds.