SERVE // ENTERTAIN // SUCCEED

Every now again I think to myself when did this happen? When did I become so engulfed in something that had already been such a big part of me? I guess you could say it was organic of sorts. From day one in this life of mine to the present there has always been one constant in my life, one frame of mind, frame of reference, and framed photo that provides me with joy, frustration, exhaustion, and elation like it always has. It even managed to lead me to a school in a small village in Lincolnshire England, where I met my wife, on a field, kicking a ball….

There have been very few days in my life where Soccer has not played a vital role in my day. As a youth, club, high school, and collegiate player it was a fundamental part of my existence. Yet until recently, something was missing from the equation. While many of my college teammates spent countless afternoons watching the UEFA Champions league matches back when Leeds actually played soccer in Europe, I never really paid attention to what was going on. Yes I casually watched when my hometown Kansas City Wizards won the 2000 MLS Cup, but it was no where near the joy I felt on this day.

But somewhere during my time as member of the front office of the Chicago Fire, things changed. Before, I was always involved but I was never engulfed. But I am in now, and I am in deep. I am a soccer fan. Honestly, I am a certified soccer junkie. I am a fan of WPS, MLS, the USA, the USL, and everything in between. I am inspired by true soccer fans, true soccer leaders, and true soccer pioneers that have taken the game to a level here in the United States that should make everyone who has ever played the sport proud. I think it is a very important piece to what I do every day and trust me there is plenty more to come.

Each day I like to pawn off a bit of my morning “Research” and “Advanced Product Knowledge” to true journalists folks like Luis Arroyave from the Chicago Tribune and Stephen Goff of the Washington Post, Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated as well as my favorite Designated Players, The Offside Rules, The Original Winger, Soccer By Ives, Du Nord, and the always brilliant This is American Soccer. There are many others to mention (Peter Wilt, Pitch Invasion) as the amount of soccer writing on the internet continues to grow in both quantity, and quality. The sport of soccer lives on the internet, and it will thrive on the internet.

This leads me to now, my newest endeavor…..On Monday August 18th I was offered the privilege to join the Chicago Red Stars front office with some of the most talented people I will ever have the opportunity to share an “annex” with. A staff that President Peter Wilt and Marcia McDermott must take a look at with ultimate pride every morning when they arrive. I am surrounding by talented individuals who will challenge me daily, inspire me daily, and many people who remind me how much fun it was to be a part of a team of individuals who are collectively working towards the same goal, day in and day out.

We are all presented with the special opportunity to launch a team, franchise, community, and legion of Red Stars that will hopefully be about much more than a round ball, a perfectly groomed field, and the 90 minutes from whistle to whistle. Because in soccer in America, the 90 minutes is never enough. We will work long hours, we will tailgate relentlessly, and like my man Dickie V always says, we will take on every challenge with Passion, Purpose and Pride. We will serve, we will entertain, and we will succeed.

It has taken me much longer than I ever anticipated to really get a hold of this interweb thing called a web log. I hope to use this vehicle to present some perspective of someone on the front lines of the launch, growth, and success of Women’s Professional Soccer. As Corporate Partnerships are now my thing I will be providing some updates as we begin to connect with companies and products that will become intrinsically intertwined with the launch of the Red Stars. Things will definitely get interesting, things will definitely be fun, and I will be back to chat about it. I am just excited to be able to contribute just a little bit everyday to a sport that has and will continue to give me so much in return….