USL News Release
Monday, November 3, 2008
TAMPA, FL -- United Soccer Leagues announced the addition of Chris Economides to its management team as the Senior Director, USL First Division. A member of the USL Hall of Fame as a Builder, the former co-owner and co-founder of both the Rochester Rhinos and Carolina RailHawks USL First Division franchises joins United Soccer Leagues to oversee all league operations of USL-1.
“Over the past decade, Chris has indisputably and consistently been one of the most accomplished professional soccer executives around and is highly respected in all circles,” said USL Executive Vice President and COO Tim Holt. “His wealth of experience at the team level will be a major asset in improving the manner in which we serve our teams, not to mention his grasp of league-level issues will allow for a smooth and immediate transition. Adding Chris to our management team is just one more indication of our commitment to the continued growth and future success of USL-1.”
Economides brings over a decade of senior executive and USL franchise ownership experience to the newly created position that is a product of a year-long internal evaluation of the business, operation and management of USL that was coordinated by the independent firm of Soccer Solutions in 2007 with the cooperation of member teams.
“We are thrilled to welcome Chris on board here in Tampa,” said USL President Francisco Marcos. “I cannot think of anyone within the USL-1 circle who has more knowledge and experience from a club management standpoint that can help us continue our efforts to elevate the quality of the USL First Division on and off the field. He is one of the rare individuals who understands the needs of both the club and the league, and can help steer the movement of the league and its teams in a common direction to a new world for soccer in North America.”
“It is both a thrill and an honor to be working with Francisco, Tim and the entire USL staff,” said Economides. “USL has been a staple for soccer in this country, and our goal will be to take not only the USL First Division, but the entire USL structure to greater heights.”
Economides, who has served on the USL-1 Executive Committee the past three years while with the RailHawks, helped guide the Rochester Rhinos to four championships during his tenure, capturing three league titles and the 1999 US Open Cup title. His success helped earn recognition on Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 list of sports executives in 1999 and the USL-1 Executive of the Year honor in 2001. Prior to helping found the Rhinos, Economides was the owner and general manager of the NPSL indoor Kansas City Attack from 1991-94, winning the league title in 1993.
In another staff addition, USL announced Kate Thibault as the new Super Y-League and Super-20 League staff as Associate Director of Super Y-League Operations and ODP Coordinator. She joins USL from IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida, where she has been a member of the organization’s staff since August of 2007, coordinating the administration and operation of numerous sports programs and events.
Among the programs Thibault helped manage while at IMG Academies, in addition to the organization’s USL PDL game day operations, were the baseball training academy, the Eddie Herr Tennis tournament and the Nike Friendlies soccer tournament. Prior to joining IMG Academies, Thibault coached boys and girls soccer for the Massachusetts District Soccer Association. Thibault is a graduate of Boston College (2007) and holds a Masters in Science in Education with emphasis on Sport Management/Administration from the University of Miami (2008).
“We are pleased to welcome Kate to the USL family,” said Jeff McRaney, the Senior Director of Youth League Development. “She brings unique experience with a background of managing youth development programs at the IMG Academies that will be a natural fit for her role in managing not only league operations, but the Super Y-League Olympic Development Program operations.”
