Columbus Crew 2011 media guide

2011·7.9 MB·English

by  Columbus Crew

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2011 COLUMBUS CREW MEDIA GUIDE
COLUMBUS CREW CREW HISTORY
One Black & Gold Blvd. All-Time Records vs. MLS Opponents ........................................................88
Columbus, OH 43211 All-Time Results .......................................................................................89
Phone: [phone] (CREW) All-Time MLS Crew Coaching Records ......................................................94
Fax: [phone] All-Time Regular Season Statistics ............................................................95
TheCrew.com All-Time Regular Season Statistics at a Glance ..........................................98
Blog: BlackandGoldStandard.com All-Time Playoff Statistics .........................................................................99
Twitter: twitter.com/Columbus_Crew All-Time Playoff Statistics at a Glance .....................................................100
Facebook: facebook.com/columbuscrew Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup ....................................................................101
All-Time Crew U.S. Open Cup Statistics ..................................................102
All-Time Crew Open Cup Results ............................................................104
All-Time Lineups ....................................................................................106
All-Time Award Winners ........................................................................128
All-Time Attendance ..............................................................................129
THE CREW Crew Firsts ...........................................................................................130
Crew Draft History .................................................................................131
Crew Directory and Staff ...........................................................................2 All-Time Player Register .........................................................................133
Remembering Our Founder Lamar Hunt ......................................................5 Condensed Player Register ....................................................................157
Investor-Operator Clark K. Hunt .................................................................6
Ron Pizzuti and Local Investors ..................................................................7
HSG President John Wagner .....................................................................7 CREW RECORDS
General Manager Mark McCullers ............................................................8 Regular Season Team Records ...............................................................162
Technical Director Brian Bliss .....................................................................9 Regular Season Individual Records.........................................................167
Head Coach Robert Warzycha ...............................................................10 Playoff Team Records ............................................................................173
Assistant Coaches ...................................................................................11 Playoff Individual Records .....................................................................177
Team Staff .............................................................................................12 Crew Yearly Leaders ..............................................................................181
Crew Youth Development ........................................................................13 Big Game Performances........................................................................188
Crew History ..........................................................................................14
Important Dates in Crew History ..............................................................20 MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Crew Broadcast Information ....................................................................28
Crew Name, Logos and Mascot ...............................................................29 MLS Directory ......................................................................................192
Crew in the Community, Crew Foundation ................................................30 2011 Player Rules and Regulations .........................................................193
The Birth of Columbus Crew Stadium ........................................................31 MLS League Schedule & National TV .....................................................196
Crew Stadium Highlights .........................................................................32 2010 MLS Standings, Playoffs, Statistical Leaders ....................................199
Crew Training Center at Obetz ................................................................33 Chicago Fire ........................................................................................200
Columbus, Ohio .....................................................................................34 D.C. United ..........................................................................................202
Houston Dynamo ..................................................................................204
New England Revolution .......................................................................206
CREW PLAYERS New York Red Bulls ..............................................................................208
Crew Head Shots ...................................................................................36 Philadelphia Union ................................................................................210
Crew Roster ...........................................................................................38 Sporting Kansas City .............................................................................211
How the Crew was Built ..........................................................................39 Toronto FC ............................................................................................213
Pronunciation Guide ...............................................................................39 Chivas USA ..........................................................................................214
Crew Player Bios ....................................................................................40 Colorado Rapids ...................................................................................215
FC Dallas ..............................................................................................217
Los Angeles Galaxy ...............................................................................218
2010 SEASON IN REVIEW Portland Timbers...................................................................................220
2010 Crew Results ...................................................................................74 Real Salt Lake. ......................................................................................221
2010 Regular Season Statistics ................................................................75 San Jose Earthquakes ...........................................................................222
2010 Stats-at-a-Glance ...........................................................................76 Seattle Sounders FC .............................................................................224
2010 Game-by-Game .............................................................................77 Vancouver Whitecaps ...........................................................................225
2010 Crew Playoff Statistics ....................................................................79
2010 Crew Playoff Statistics at a Glance ..................................................80 CREW MEDIA INFORMATION
2010 CONCACAF Champions League Statistics .......................................81 Crew on the Road.................................................................................229
2010 U.S. Open Cup Statistics ................................................................82 Key Media List ......................................................................................230
2010 Crew Lineups .................................................................................83 2011 Crew Schedule ............................................................................232
2010 Crew Box Scores ...........................................................................85
CREDITS
Editors .................................................................................Dave Stephany
................................................................................................Marco Rosa
Editorial Assistance...............................................................Anne Anderson
Page Design & Layout ..............................................................Diana Sabau
Cover Design .....................................................................Ryan Partnership
Photography .....................................................Jamie Sabau, Getty Images,
......................................................Greg Bartram, Better Image Photography
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COLUMBUS CREW DIRECTORY
CREW ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF ..........................................................Leeana Russell, Melanie Seiser,
President & General Manager ....................................Mark McCullers .................................................John Sperry, Nick Volsko, Nick White
Sr. VP, Sales and Marketing ...............................................Mike Malo Ticket Services Manager ...............................................Jason Decker
VP, Soccer Business Development/Executive Director Ticket Services Coordinator ............................................Michelle Silm
Crew Juniors ............................................................Andrew Arthurs Database Manager .....................................................Jonathan Elson
VP, Operations ................................................................Scott DeBolt Sodexho General Manager ..............................................Scott Bolster
VP, Finance & Administration ..............................................Tom Patton
VP, Corporate Partnerships ...............................................Chris Previte TEAM OFFICIALS
Sr. Director, Corporate Partnerships .................................Paul Howard Investor-Operator .......................................................The Hunt Family
Sr. Director, Ticket Sales ....................................................David Melfi Columbus Investors ................................Ron Pizzuti and local investors
Sr. Director, Stadium Business Development .........................Ryan Smith President, Hunt Sports Group ..........................................John Wagner
Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations/
Executive Director, CSF ..............................................Dave Stephany TEAM STAFF
Director, Ticket Services ..................................................Carrie Harris
Director, Marketing & Promotions .......................................Arica Kress Technical Director ...............................................................Brian Bliss
Director, Event Services ...................................................Amber Louck Head Coach ...........................................................Robert Warzycha
Director, Soccer Business Development ..........................Jeremy Parkins Assistant Coaches ...................................................Ricardo Iribarren,
Director, Partnership Relations ........................................Marc Schmidt ................................................................Mike Lapper, Vadim Kirillov
Director, Stadium Grounds ...............................................Brett Tanner Strength and Fitness Coach: ...........................................Mike Tremble
Director, Hispanic Business Development ..................Francisco Terreros Director, Team Operations ...........................................Tucker Walther
Director of Coaching, Crew Juniors ...............................Billy Thompson Head Athletic Trainer .....................................................David Lagow
Director of Coaching, Phoenix Crew Juniors ........................James Field Assistant Athletic Trainer .............................................Skylar Richards
Assistant to the Technical Director ..............................Duncan Oughton Equipment Manager ....................................................Rusty Wummel
Digital Content Editor ...........................................................TJ Ansley Massage Therapist ........................................................Janet Diebley
Merchandise Manager ......................................................Jenn Davis Team Doctors .........................Pete Edwards M.D., Scott Johnson M.D.,
Communications Manager ...............................................Marco Rosa ...............................................Scott Van Steyn M.D., Roger Wilt M.D.
Community Relations Manager/Development & Program Team Chiropractor .................................................Dr. Thomas Corbin
Specialist, CSF .....................................................Robin Ungerleider Team Dentist .........................................................Herb Postle, D.D.S.
Advertising & Promotions Manager ...............................Leah Matthews
Hispanic Business Development Coordinator ...........Olga Christina Kooi SUPPORT STAFF
Partnership Activation Coordinator.........................................Dan Lolli Public Address Announcer ....................................................Todd Bell
Fan Development Coordinator ....................................Trisha McCarthy Crew Radio ...............................................English: 610 WTVN (AM);
Staff Accountant ...................................................Michelle Weingarth ..............................................................Spanish: La Mega 103.1 FM
Maintenance Supervisor .........................................................Ted Hilt Radio Announcers .................................English: Neil Sika, John Bluem
Facility/Event Services Coordinator ..................................Jordan Enke .......................................Spanish: Carlos Cordova, Benny Pietrangelo
Assistant Director of Stadium Grounds .................................Ray White Crew TV ................................................Ohio News Network (ONN)
Groundskeeper ...............................................................Ben Jackson TV Announcers ................................Dwight Burgess, Duncan Oughton
Assistant to the President/GM......................................Breanne Richey Press Box Staff .............................Steve Haller, Joe Merth, Dan Nelson
Assistant to the Vice Presidents ........................................Anne Barber
First Impressions Coordinator .......................................Anne Anderson
Senior Account Executive .........................................Konstantin Haerle CREW TRAINING CENTER AT OBETZ
Soccer Ticket Sales Manager ........................................Avin Assomull 4153 Alum Creek Dr.
Corporate Ticket Sales Manager ...................................Adam Carney Obetz, OH 43207
Sales Coordinator ....................................................Stacy McGranor Phone: [phone]
Account Executives .................................. Phil Goldfarb, Brandie Pifer, Fax: [phone]
THE CREW
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COLUMBUS CREW STAFF
Anne Anderson TJ Ansley Andrew Arthurs Avin Assomull Anne Barber
Adam Carney Jennifer Davis Scott DeBolt Jason Decker Jonathan Elson
Jordan Enke James Field Phil Goldfarb Konstantin Haerle Carrie Harris
Ted Hilt Paul Howard Ben Jackson Olga Kooi Arica Kress
Dan Lolli Amber Louck Mike Malo Leah Matthews
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Trisha McCarthy Stacy McGranor David Melfi Duncan Oughton Jeremy Parkins
Tom Patton Brandie Pifer Chris Previte Breanne Richey Marco Rosa
Leeana Russell Marc Schmidt Melanie Seiser Michelle Silm Ryan Smith
John Sperry David Stephany Brett Tanner Francisco Terreros Billy Thompson
Robin Ungerleider Nick Volsko Michelle Weingarth Nick White Raymond White
THE CREW
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REMEMBERING OUR FOUNDER
LAMAR HUNT
The Columbus Crew, Major League Soccer and the American States. The stadium broke ground on
sports community at large lost a true treasure on Dec. 13, 2006 when Aug. 14, 1998 and was built in just
Crew Founder Lamar Hunt passed away peacefully at the age of 74, nine months and one day, opening
following a long, valiant battle with prostate cancer. on May 15, 1999 to a sold-out,
He is survived by his wife, Norma, their four children, Lamar, Jr., overflow crowd of 24,741.
Sharron Munson, Clark and Daniel, and 14 grandchildren. In recognition, Hunt was
To honor his memory, in conjunction with the Hunt family, the Crew awarded the National Soccer Hall
developed Founder’s Park, which was dedicated on July 7, 2007. of Fame Medal of Honor that year,
The memorial tribute replaced Monument Park just south of the Crew becoming just the second person
Kicker Plaza. It incorporated the existing plaque-on-rock monuments to receive the medal reserved for
conceived by Hunt and now features a new layout and landscape extraordinary individuals whose
design, which was one of his interests. positive contributions to soccer at
Recognized as one of the the national level affected the course of soccer history in the United
greatest sports visionaries in States.
American history, Hunt helped He also saw the U.S. Open Cup tournament renamed in his
pioneer pro soccer in this country honor in 1999. The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, recognized as U.S.
and his contributions to the sport Soccer’s National Championship, is an annual competition open to
have had a major impact on the all amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer.
sports landscape in the U.S. Bitten Dating back to 1914, the single-elimination tournament is the oldest
by the soccer bug during the 1966 annual team tournament in U.S. sports history.
FIFA World Cup, he attended Hunt’s MLS teams won three championships in his lifetime – the
every ensuing World Cup, with the Crew’s 2002 U.S. Open Cup title and Kansas City’s MLS Cup 2000
exception of 1978 and 2006. In and 2004 U.S. Open Cup crowns.
2002, he witnessed at least part After taking over the operations of Dallas in 2003, Hunt’s
of a tournament match in each of youngest son, Dan, joined Hunt Sports Group. HSG made soccer
the 20 venues spread across the history again with the construction of Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas,
co-hosting countries of South Korea in 2004-05. It has the distinction of being the first soccer stadium
and Japan. He served as the co- built through a coordination of both private and public funds and has
chairman of the Dallas World Cup become the model for soccer-specific stadiums in the United States.
Host Committee in 1994. Following the 2004 season, Hunt was presented the
In 1967, Hunt became an original investor in the Dallas Tornado Commissioner’s Award by MLS Commissioner Don Garber for
Soccer Club, in what was known as the United Soccer Association for being one of the league’s founding fathers, as well as a man who
one season and then the North American Soccer League starting in championed soccer in the United States for nearly 40 years. In 2005,
1968. In 1971, Hunt won his first professional soccer championship the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the major charitable arm of soccer
when the Tornado defeated the Atlanta Chiefs. A model franchise in the United States, presented Hunt with the Foundation’s Lifetime
during its 14 years, the organization and its legacy was an early Achievement Award.
catalyst in the development of the game, placing North Texas at the As far back as 1982, Hunt was honored for his efforts to help
forefront of the American youth soccer explosion. establish pro soccer in America by being inducted into the National
The Hunt family once again stepped to the forefront of U.S. soccer Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, N.Y. Hunt has also been inducted
in 1996 by becoming a charter investor in Major League Soccer. into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the International Tennis
Lamar was joined by his son, Clark, in the Hunt Sports Group as MLS Hall of Fame, as well as the sports halls of fame of both Missouri and
was created with a unique single-entity operating structure, in which Texas.
investors own an interest in the league in addition to individual teams. Hunt is perhaps best known for helping make pro football history
The Hunts were the original investor-operators of both the Crew and in 1960 by founding and organizing the American Football League
the Kansas City Wizards. and with innumerable subsequent contributions. The Founder of the
Hunt made his greatest contribution to soccer in this country in Kansas City Chiefs, he has been credited with coining the term “Super
1998-99, when he funded the construction of Crew Stadium, the Bowl” – a game his Chiefs won in 1970. He was the AFL’s principal
first major-league stadium built specifically for soccer in the United negotiator in the merger talks with the NFL and the AFC championship
trophy bears his name.
Appropriately nicknamed “Games” during his childhood, his
love of sports was his true passion, an enthusiasm which led to his
involvement in six different professional sports leagues and seven
sports franchises.
Hunt was born on Aug. 2, 1932 in El Dorado, Ark., and
graduated from SMU with a B.S. in Geology in 1956. While at
SMU, he was a reserve end on the varsity football team. Hunt was
an avid supporter of his alma mater and was an annual fixture at
the Cotton Bowl. He and his wife, Norma, were also involved in
numerous philanthropic and civic efforts.
Clark, Norma and Dan Hunt (l-r) at the ceremonial unveiling of
the statue of their late husband and father, Crew Founder Lamar
Hunt, in Crew Stadium’s Founder’s Park on Aug. 28, 2010.
5
CLARK K. HUNT
INVESTOR-OPERATOR
A founding investor-operator of Major League Soccer, Clark Hunt long-term viability of soccer in the United States. Six years later, in
remains one of the most innovative and influential members of the MLS 2005, Hunt Sports Group unveiled Pizza Hut Park, a 145-acre soccer
Board of Governors. As chairman of the Hunt Sports Group, Hunt complex in Frisco, Texas, and the home of FC Dallas.
oversees the operations of the Hunt family’s two MLS interests – the With its 17 tournament-grade fields, permanent event stage and
Columbus Crew and FC Dallas. fifirst-class design, Pizza Hut Park became the model for soccer-specific
Son of the late American sstadiums in North America. By the 2007 season, less than a decade
sports pioneer Lamar Hunt, aafter the inaugural match in Crew Stadium, more than half of all MLS
Clark Hunt shares his father’s tteams had a soccer-specific stadium to call home – a credit to the
passion for soccer and the vvision of Lamar Hunt and leadership of the Hunt Sports Group.
family’s vision for the sport’s As stadium construction, new investment, player development and
success in the United States. At aa broadening fan base continue to shape the soccer marketplace in
Lamar’s request, Clark engaged NNorth America, Clark Hunt is intimately involved in the development
in the formative discussions aand direction of MLS. Hunt currently serves as one of four members
for MLS lending his proven oof the MLS Board of Governors appointed to Commissioner
business acumen to the league’s DDon Garber’s Executive Committee. He is also a member of
financial structure. Now in its tthe Competition Committee as well as the league’s Labor and
16th season, MLS has earned PPhilanthropy Committees.
a stake in the landscape of In addition to his roles in MLS, Hunt is also a respected voice in
professional sports and is well- tthe National Football League. Now is in his sixth year as Chairman of
positioned for future growth. tthe Board of the Kansas City Chiefs, the storied franchise founded by
In 1999, Clark Hunt hhis father, he is currently directing the expansion and renovation of the
worked closely his with iiconic Arrowhead Stadium – an extensive modernization project to
father to construct the first “soccer-sppeeeccccciiiiiifififififificccc sssstttttaaaaddddddiiiiiuuuummmm””” iiiiinnnn ttttthhhhhheeee UUUUUUnnnniiiiittttteeeedddddd kkeep Kansas City the “home of the Chiefs” for decades to come.
States in Columbus. Realizing the vision of Lamar Hunt, the debut of In 2006, Hunt was one of eight NFL owners to serve on the
professional soccer at Columbus Crew Stadium on May 15, 1999, Commissioner Search Committee which recommended Commissioner
represented a pivotal moment in the history of MLS and solidified the Roger Goodell as the successor to then-Commissioner Paul Tagliabue.
In 2007, Goodell appointed Hunt to the NFL’s Digital Media and
International Committees, as well as the Executive Committee of the
NFL Management Council.
Hunt graduated first in his class at Southern Methodist
University in 1987, earning a degree in business administration
with a concentration in finance. He was a two-time recipient of
the university’s highest academic honor, the Provost Award for
Outstanding Scholar. While at SMU, he was also a four-year
letterman on the Mustangs nationally ranked soccer team, earning
first-team Academic All-America honors as a junior and senior and
serving as a tri-captain his final season. He was recognized as one of
the SMU Cox School of Business Outstanding Young Alumni in 2004
and, in 2005, he was appointed to the Cox School Executive Board
of Trustees. Hunt currently serves on the SMU Board of Trustees.
Hunt and his wife, the former Tavia Shackles of Kansas City, are
involved in numerous philanthropic efforts. In 2004, the Hunts were
part of the grassroots effort behind the formation of Lift Up America
– an organization that facilitates widespread compassion and giving
through strategic partnerships with corporations and sports teams.
Since that time, more than 30 teams have partnered with Lift Up
America, and corporations like Cinemark Theaters, Interstate Batteries
and Tyson Foods have helped the organization distribute millions
of pounds of food and countless other services to people in need
worldwide.
Clark Knobel Hunt was born on February 19, 1965 and
graduated from the St. Mark’s School of Dallas in 1983. The Hunts
have three children – Gracelyn, Knobel and Ava.
THE CREW
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RON PIZZUTI JOHN WAGNER
INVESTOR-OPERATOR PRESIDENT, HSG
Ronald A. Pizzuti and Pizzuti Sports Limited head a roster of local John Wagner serves as
investors that includes Benlucas Limited, John G. Hondros, George President of Hunt Sports Group,
Jenkins, Diane Keeler, Elizabeth Krumm, John P. McConnell, Joseph which is the management
Milano Jr., Mark R. Mitchell, Michael T. Radcliffe, Riverside Sports company responsible for
Medicine Inc., TCS Limited Partnership, William White and Wolfe overseeing certain Hunt family
Enterprises Inc. sports investments, including the
Pizzuti is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Pizzuti Columbus Crew and Columbus
Companies, one of the nation’s leading real estate development Crew Stadium.
firms. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Pizzuti has offices in A member of the Major
CChicago and Orlando. Piz- League Soccer and Soccer
zzzzuuti’s leadership has guided United Marketing Board of
TTTTThhe Pizzuti Companies to Governors, Wagner also
ppppllanned, steady growth serves on the league’s Audit
dddduuring the past 35 years. He and Finance Committee
oooovversees the company’s daily and Business Development
oooopperations and focuses on
Committee.
bbbbuuilding and maintaining one
Prior to joining Hunt Sports
ooooff the industry’s top teams of
Group in 1996, Wagner spent
rrreeeal estate professionals.
13 years as a CPA in public accouunntttiiinnnggg,, tttthhhhheee lllllaaassstttt nnniiiinnneee yyyeeeaaarrrsss wwwiiiitttthhhhh
Pizzuti founded the firm in
Coopers and Lybrand in Kansas City, Missouri. He specialized in
1119976 after a successful career
iinnn retailing, which included entrepreneurial business and family-owned business consulting, with a
eeeexxecutive positions at Feder- concentration on federal and state tax related issues.
aaaatted Department Stores and During his years in public accounting, he managed a joint venture
TTTThhe Limited, Inc. Today, The between Hunt Sports Group and Coopers and Lybrand, wherein
PPPPiizzuti Companies develops the joint venture provided consultation on matters of state income tax
iinnnstitutional-grade office, indus- jurisdictions for the NFL, NBA, NHL and applicable players unions to
ttttrrriial and mixed-use projects develop uniformity and efficiency in the complex area of professional
thhrroouugghhhhoouuutttt tttthhhhee MMMMiiiddddwweessstttt aaanndddd SSSSoouuttthhhheeeaaasssttt aannd provides portfolio devel- athletes’ non-resident income tax filings.
opment, asset and property management, and investment services, Wagner earned his Bachelor of Science Degree at the University
which stress quality leadership, innovation and attention to aesthetics. of South Dakota and completed his MBA degree at the University of
One notable example is SouthPark, a master-planned industrial park Missouri-Kansas City in 1986. He resides in Southlake, Texas, a Dalls-
located in Grove City, Ohio, known for its beautiful park-like campus Fort Worth suburb, with his wife, Nancy, and their three children,
with more than 4 million square feet of industrial buildings. Taylor, Amanda and Parker.
Pizzuti has expanded its portfolio to include well over 40 million
square feet of development valued at more than $1 billion nation-
wide, and its clients include Fortune 500 companies, as well as
numerous national and international businesses.
In recent years, Pizzuti is best known locally for his work on
Miranova, a $150 million project designed by Arquitectonica along
the Scioto River. Miranova is a mixed-use development featuring a
luxury high-rise condominium tower with more than 100 residences, a
242,000-square-foot Class A office building, a signature restaurant,
service retail and a 750-car parking garage. Miranova has served as
a catalyst for future downtown development.
A native of Kent, Ohio, Pizzuti is a 1962 graduate of Kent State
University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Admin-
istration. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Columbus
College of Art and Design in 2000.
An industry leader, Pizzuti is a licensed real estate broker in Ohio
and active member of numerous national and local real estate industry
associations, including the National Association of Industrial and Of-
fice Properties (NAIOP) and the Columbus Board of Realtors.
In the community, Pizzuti has served as President of the Board of
Trustees for the Columbus Museum of Art and presently serves on the
Board of the Wexner Center Foundation. In addition, he served as
chairman for both the Board of Trustees of Kent State University and
the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.
In 1993, at the request of then-Columbus Mayor Lashutka, Pizzuti
led an effort to attract major-league sports to Columbus and was
successful in securing Major League Soccer (Crew) and National
Hockey League (Blue Jackets) franchises. Pizzuti is a past Chairman of
the Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission.
In February of 2000, the Greater Columbus Chamber of Com-
merce awarded Pizzuti its top honor, the Columbus Award, for his
many years of service to the community. Pizzuti and his wife, Ann,
received the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus’ 2007
Humanitarian of the Year Award for their leadership and active roles
in the positive development of the community.
Ron and Ann Pizzuti have three children and four grandchildren.
7
MARK MCCULLERS
PRESIDENT & GENERAL MANAGER
In the midst of the most successful period in club history, Mark McCullers has driven numerous stadium development projects dur-
McCullers is in his seventh full season as General Manager of the Co- ing his tenure and the permanent amphitheatre-style stage completed
lumbus Crew and fourth as its President. Over 12 years of dedicated in 2008 makes Crew Stadium one of the region’s top summer outdoor
service to the organization began in December 1998 when he came concert venues.
to Columbus to oversee the development of Crew Stadium, the first McCullers’ leadership and vision has quickly transformed the
major-league stadium built specifically for soccer in the U.S. In January Crew into a sports and entertainment property with greater depth and
2001, he was promoted to Executive Vice President, before becoming capacity, with compelling new ideas and projects still on the horizon.
tthhe Crew’s third General Throughout his 20-year career, McCullers has maintained a taste
MManager in July 2004 and for high-impact projects, and facility improvements remain a priority.
PPPrrresident in May 2008. On that agenda is working with local officials to prioritize upgrades
Under McCullers’ vision, to the Crew Stadium site to positively reflect on the multitude of visitors
ttthhhe Crew’s mandate has been to the OEC campus and functionally service the entire complex of
ttoo establish and sustain a facilities. A diligent and lengthy quest to secure state funding for
llleeeague leadership role in ev- parking lot upgrades has borne fruit, with a $5 million improvement
eeerry aspect of club operations. project completed in 2010.
IIIttt has reached the pinnacle McCullers’ appointment as General Manager in July 2004
ooonnn the competition side, win- coincided with the beginning of the club’s 18-game unbeaten streak
nniing three MLS Supporters’ to end that season, in which it won the Supporter’s Shield for the
SSShhield titles in the last seven first time. The league-record unbeaten streak, which still stands, was
sseeasons and storming to its ultimately extended to 19 games (9-0-10).
fifirrst MLS Cup championship As General Manager of Crew Stadium, opened on May 15,
iinn 2008, with a 17-7-6 record 1999, McCullers was a key contributor in the historic venue’s
aaand club-record 57 points. development and construction and he has been instrumental in luring
TTThhhe back-to-back Shields in a succession of marquee events to the facility. Among them are six
22200008 and 2009 marked just World Cup Qualifiers, including the coveted USA-Mexico final-round
ttthhhe second time in league qualifier in each of the last three cycles (2001, 2005 and 2009), the
hhistory thhat ffeat hhas bbeen achhievedd. Thhhe Crew also became just the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the 2000 and 2005 MLS All-Star
second MLS club to advance to the CONCACAF Champions League Games, MLS Cup 2001 and the 2001 and 2003 NCAA Men’s
championship round in the 2009/10 tournament and did so again in College Cups.
the 2010/11 edition. Prior to joining the Crew, McCullers served nine years at the D.C.
The dream 2008 season, in which the Crew became the first Sports and Entertainment Commission, first as Event Manager for RFK
club in six years to claim the Shield-Cup double, capped a three-year Stadium and the D.C. Armory and then as Assistant Stadium Manager
rebuilding plan that was sparked by the audacious signing of Argen- at RFK. During his career at RFK, he helped produce some of the most
tine superstar Guillermo Barros Schelotto in 2007, a move that has significant soccer events held in the U.S., including the 1994 World
brought the club increased international attention and raised its profile Cup, 1996 Olympic Soccer and MLS Cup 1997.
on the global soccer stage. McCullers oversees the efforts of the club’s charitable arm, the
McCullers initiated the launch of the organization’s youth Crew Soccer Foundation, as President of its Board of Directors. He
development program, which includes the Crew Soccer Academy, also serves on the Boards of the Buckeye Ranch Foundation, Nation-
Crew Juniors and Crew Juniors affiliates. It was ranked No. 8 in the wide Children’s Hospital Foundation, Recreation Unlimited Foundation
country by Soccer America in 2010, on the strength of U-20 and and Experience Columbus, as well as the Greater Columbus Sports
U-19 national championships. In fulfilling Major League Soccer’s youth Commission Advisory Board.
development mandate, the Crew has established a youth player expe-
rience unparalleled in its region, punctuated by the elite Crew Soccer
Academy, the professional club’s no-fee player development arm that
implements a curriculum developed by the Crew technical staff.
One of McCullers’ first strategic initiatives was a comprehensive
and innovative promotional, marketing and player development
agreement with the Ohio South Youth Soccer Association that contin-
ues to provide the Crew with a multifaceted platform to consistently
communicate with the region’s considerable youth soccer programs.
That model is being expanded into the development of a network of
regional youth soccer partnerships, which supports the club’s overall
regional brand vision.
McCullers’ commitment to soccer’s tremendous grassroots strength
is paying dividends across the club’s various business interests. ONN
retains local TV rights and will broadcast 32 Crew regular-season
matches in 2011, ensuring that all 34 games are again available
either statewide or nationally, and its weekly show CrewXtra returns
for a third season. Resulting from the club’s partnership with dominant
radio property Clear Channel Entertainment, the Crew is in its fourth
season on flagship radio station News/Talk 610 WTVN, which is Mark McCullers with first-round selection Justin Meram and Crew
one of the area’s top-rated stations. head coach Robert Warzycha at the 2011 MLS SuperDraft.
THE CREW
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