DEARBORN HEIGHTS – Ali Cheaib, 17, a senior at Crestwood High School (CHS) here earned a full-ride soccer scholarship to Michigan State University where he’s starting college this fall. 

Cheaib has a 3.8 GPA, is on the CHS soccer team, and will soon join MSU’s soccer team when he begins his freshman year there.  He also received full-ride scholarship offers to Boston University and the University of Detroit-Mercy among other schools. 

Ali Cheaib accepting his scholarship at Crestwood High School in Dearborn Heights surrounded by his family and friends. PHOTO: Cheaib family

He plans on going into the medical field and becoming a physician. He’s also aiming to someday play professional soccer. 

Ali was first trained to play soccer by his father Hussein, who was a professional soccer player in Lebanon.  Hussein is also one of the co-founders of Dearborn Stars which was started in 1983. 

“Ali has been playing soccer since he was five years old, and used to watch a lot of soccer on television. This is something he loves to do,” he said. 

Ali’s father is a professional coach at the Michigan Wolves-Hawks Soccer Club in Livonia where Ali has sought additional training to enhance his performance in the sport.  Hussein says the club is the number one training center in the state and fifth-best in the entire country. 

Ali says he’s looking forward to starting college at MSU, although he admits he’ll miss being away from home. He thankd his father for all his support throughout the years, noting that he was a major influence in getting him to reach all his achievements.