Monday, April 7

TAMPA, FL – United Soccer Leagues announced today, the first three of several staffing changes brought on to bolster the league’s front office for the 2008 season. Effective immediately, Melanie Fitzgerald takes over the role of Director, W-League Operations, Amanda Duffy will assume the role of League Operations Administrator and Alysha Lathrop becomes the USL Registrar.

These changes, coupled with the enrollment of a full-time USL/UMBRO Services Manager, a USL Marketing & Communications Manager and a USL SYL & Super-20 League Operations position in the immediate future, will ensure the continued success of USL.

“USL has made extraordinary strides over the past four years, growing the business in every definable way,” said USL Executive Vice President and COO, Tim Holt. “Each and every member of the staff, past and present, has played a role in this progress.”

"The continued success of USL will be a direct function of the ability of our front office to execute and implement our business objectives in a manner that best serves our members,” added Holt.

Following a two-year stint as the Director of SYL and Super-20 League Operations, Fitzgerald takes over the position of Director, W-League Operations.

“Melanie’s strong leadership and communication skills, as well as her thorough knowledge and understanding of the competitive youth soccer landscape, make her the right choice to manage the W-League at this exciting time for women’s soccer in North America,” said Holt.

Fitzgerald first joined USL as an intern for the Super Y-League Operations during the summer of 2004. She re-joined USL in the spring of 2006 to work as an Operations Assistant for the Super Y-League and Super-20 League. In the summer of 2006 she became the Interim Director for both youth leagues, which led to her assuming the position of official Director of Operations in November of 2006.

Fitzgerald graduated from Clearwater Christian College in 2006 with a BS in Physical Education. Her Sports Management track included a minor in Business. During her four-year career with the Cougars, she helped the women’s soccer team capture two South Region Division titles. Fitzgerald’s Clearwater Christian basketball team also won the 2002 South Region Division crown.  She worked four years as an administrative assistant at a local Fitness Club and UBS Financial Services, where she worked as a branch marketing assistant and special events coordinator.

Officially named full-time League Operations Administrator last month, Duffy first joined the USL Staff for a six month period in 2005, working with the Super Y-League on a part-time basis. She returned in March of 2007 as the League Operations Assistant, concluding her seasonal tenure following USL’s SoccerFest in November.

As League Operations Administrator, Duffy is in charge of referee coordination with USSF and all senior league franchises, and supporting with amateur registration, amateur league operations and USL’s Annual General Meeting. She is also responsible for the coordination and execution of the USL Men’s Player Showcase as well as launching, coordinating and executing the first USL Women’s Player Showcase.

“The addition of Amanda Duffy as our League Operations Administrator will enhance an already strong team that will manage the operations of our senior-level leagues,” said Holt. "Her knowledge of the game and the versatility she possesses, make her an ideal fit for our staff."

Duffy graduated from East Carolina University with a BS in Exercise Science in 2003. There, she broke the Pirates’ career goal record with 33, as well as the career points mark with 83. She continues to hold ECU’s single-season record for goals and points.

Duffy joined the ECU coaching staff as a Graduate Assistant Coach while obtaining her MA in Sport Management. During this time, she played for the USL W-League’s Hampton Roads Piranhas, winning the W-League Championship in 2003 and back-to-back Conference Championships in 2003-2004. Duffy finished her playing career with Danmarks IF of the Swedish First Division in 2006.

The third of USL’s initial front office maneuvers will shift Alysha Lathrop from her role within the SYL Operations Department with immediate effect to succeed Nicole Raymond as the USL Registrar.

“Alysha has done an exemplary job during the SYL ODP camp phase and pre-season preparatory stage in the youth realm,” said Holt “I am convinced that her strong organization and communication skills, combined with her work ethic, will allow her to very capably assume the senior-level league player registration process at a high volume time of the calendar year.”

Lathrop joined United Soccer Leagues in the spring of 2008 as the Super Y-League Operations intern with responsibilities including ODP Camp coordination and league administration. She will be responsible for player registration for all senior leagues.

Lathrop will graduate from Flagler College in Northeast Florida in late April with a BA in Sport Management. There, she also minored in Business Administration and Advertising. She has prior professional experience with the Jacksonville Jaguars and SporTive Marketing and also ran large-scale events on Flagler’s campus.