Former women’s college closer to becoming hub for new women’s soccer team

SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio (WOIO) - Notre Dame College closed its doors after more than 100 years last spring, leaving a 48-acre hole in South Euclid.

But, a new Cleveland women’s soccer team might kick new life into the historic campus.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for a community like South Euclid,” says Michael Love, Planning and Development Director for the city.

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The new Cleveland Women’s Soccer team will play in a $50-million stadium across from Progressive Field, under the Innerbelt Bridge, but South Euclid could be for women’s soccer what Berea is for the Browns.

“We’re seen for the last probably forty years, since the Browns built their complex in Berea, what’s that’s done for the City of Berea,” said Love. “It’s really put Berea on the map and the Browns continue to expand their facilities in Berea and they’re planning a mixed-use development there right now.”

Cleveland Soccer has a Request for Proposal out to several other communities, but Love says Notre Dame is their preferred site.

And, unlike Notre Dame, it will generate tax revenue.

“Notre Dame was always a non-profit so looking at it from a revenue perspective so Cleveland Soccer will be generating some significant revenue for the city having their presence on campus.”

Cleveland Soccer needs a facility by this fall to start play in 2026 and Love expects the new headquarters and training facility to generate other development on the campus as well.

“I don’t really think you could think of a better anchor to really bring activity to this site,” said Love. “And lead to future development as well.”

If everything goes according to plan, Love expects Notre Dame to sell to new owner in the next few weeks with a deal in place with Cleveland Soccer as early as the next few months.