The Warlick Family has officially opened its new non-profit indoor soccer facility called “The 11.”
The center provides an inclusive athletic space for athletes of all abilities in honor of their late son, Joseph. Foundation Co-Founder Elizabeth Warlick said the organization operates with a specific mission to serve the special needs community and individuals of all socioeconomic backgrounds.
“I think the hardest part is maybe seeing when I do see his team, his original team and his twin brother and his sister and he’s not on the field, I miss him, I miss him a lot,” Warlick said.
Warlick said the “All In Forever 11” concept was inspired by Joseph’s jersey number, No. 11, and his driven personality. Warlick placed for the All In FC Tennessee soccer club. Warlick said her son faced his own challenges, which helped shape the facility’s focus on overcoming obstacles.
“Joseph was born premature and he had sensory processing and ADD and so he had some battles to overcome and he overcame them and had such a zeal and a zest for life and I feel like that’s reflected in the facility,” Warlick said.
Warlick said her professional background as a physical therapist and her experience starting a local TOP Soccer program for children with special needs highlighted a lack of accessible resources in the area. Warlick said the facility aims to remove limitations for different groups by offering turf fields to children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to use them.
“I like to tell people that there’s nothing in this world that will ever replace Joseph and there’s nothing that will ever fill the void of Joseph,” Warlick said. “But the happiest and most joyful I am is when I’m with the special needs community playing soccer.”
Warlick said she leaned heavily on religion during her time grieving, and she hopes others feel the power of her faith when they enter the space.
“I think it’s like starts with our family and our family is just passionate about loving others and serving other people and just being accepted and we just try to live that out,” Warlick said. “If you ask me like my biggest heart and purpose is that when they walk in they feel the love of Jesus.”
Warlick said the facility was made possible through the support of multiple communities across the Upper Cumberland, including the Cookeville-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. Warlick said the organization plans to offer affordable programs, open gym sessions and private rentals to ensure the space remains accessible to everyone.
“I think that soccer reaches multiple groups and ages and through the influence of soccer in our communities and our churches and our friendships we’ve been able to reach a lot of different people,” Warlick said.
Warlick said the inclusive indoor soccer fields offer a community for children and parents who often struggle to find those type of opportunities. The dual-field facility is currently beginning operations with a schedule of age-specific open gyms and weekend rentals.
Joseph Warlick passed away following a ATV accident in 2020 on the family’s farm.