Champion Of The Beautiful Game Clent Alexander Passes Away
Soccer unites our planet with joy and passion for the beautiful game – this game which brings people together from all walks of life and is the great equalizer from civilizations’ conflict over race, religion, wealth and politics. Recently, soccer lost a great advocate – Clent Alexander. Here is our tribute to him.
Clent Alexander passed away on Saturday, February 14th 2014 surrounded by his family. The American soccer community and in particular, the San Diego soccer world, mourns the loss of Clent Alexander, a great man who dedicated his life to promoting the growth of the beautiful game. Alexander suffered quietly and let few people know how sick he had become, remaining optimistic, as always, about the future — sharing his passion for soccer until the very end.
For information on the funeral service celebrating Clenton’s life and memory – please scroll down.
Clent Alexander’s legacy will be remembered for a long time. Chief Executive Officer of NPSL’s San Diego Flash Soccer Club, Clent Alexander worked tireless to popularize our favorite sport. Alexander touched the lives of so many people and his efforts to push soccer to new heights impacted soccer in America’s finest city and beyond. His warmth and smile, his desire to connect people along with his professional approach to growing the game will be always be remembered. Always willing to pick up the phone and ask for what he wanted, Alexander gave his San Diego Flash team the ability to thrive. With the genius to assemble an all star cast of coaches and the best players available, the San Diego Flash will continue to succeed and will make him proud.
Alexander’s involvement with soccer dates back to the 1990s and will be remembered for many decades to come. When I first launched soccer news on SoccerNation.com, I met Clent for lunch in Rancho Santa Fe and over sandwiches he filled me on his life’s work and his NPSL team. Ever since that sunny day in the Spring in 2011, I have been a fan. I remember him quoting Vince Lombardi, “Winning isn’t everything, but the will to win is everything.” Clent has a will of iron.
Always looking to promote his amateur soccer players to the next level, Clent was proud to be working with Warren Barton; often telling me that when you have a world famous head coach, you can attract the best soccer talent in San Diego.
Clent inspired a community in many different ways, Stephen Prendergast, the journalist who covered the San Diego Flash with me wrote, “I’m so sad to hear that we have lost a wonderful man like Clent Alexander. More than soccer, I will remember Clent for what he did to help promote organ donation. I remember him saying he had a second chance at life because someone donated and he received.”
Always thankful for life’s blessings, Clent was charming, witty and sincere. Clent shared his love of family and soccer with the world and his absence will be felt by many people.
I would like to share these memories with you:
“Rest in peace my friend, a sad day.” –Warren Barton, FOX Soccer, Former English Pro Soccer Player and San Diego Flash Head Coach
“We were deeply saddened to hear about Clent’s passing. He was a visionary who cared deeply about the game. It is a huge loss for the NPSL, San Diego, and the sport as a whole. He was a beloved member of the soccer community, someone who leaves behind a tremendous legacy.” – Joe Barone, NPSL Chairman
“Clent was an inspiration and a local visionary. He laid a foundation in the NPSL, creating a team that become one of the longest tenured in the league. He gave many players the opportunity to play at a higher level. He also gave me a chance to coach at the professional level.”- Jerome Watson, San Diego Flash Assistant Coach
“Clent was a true gentleman, a friend I wish I had more time with. I am the Owner of the Houston Hurricanes and met Clent years ago at a NPSL AGM. I learned so much from Clent and he just recently sent me an email on his new idea. He was a great, great man.” -Bren Keyes, Houston Hurricanes FC
“I considered Clent to be a close and personal friend. He had a great passion for the beautiful game and life itself. This is a massive loss for anyone involved with the sport. He will be sorely missed by all of us here in the NPSL.” – Terry Lawriw, AFC Cleveland
“Both Clent and I worked to make soccer a more popular sport in San Diego and trying to develop players. Clent was a guy trying to get outdoor soccer thriving in San Diego and gave a lot of players a chance to develop their skills with the San Diego Flash.” – John Kentera, San Diego Sockers
“It’s still a shock and a incredible loss to the SD Flash and our soccer community. Clent was a great leader, visionary and friend. We’ll keep Clent in our prayers and continue to keep the SD Flash name alive.” – David Banks, Assistant Coach of San Diego Flash and Director of Nott’s Forest FC.
“Clent dreamed big and that is what I admired most. Clent had a keen eye for marketing opportunities that others didn’t see and was a crafty businessman – something he learned from his younger days as a stockbroker from Long Beach, CA. I was fortunate to sit on the NPSL Board of Directors with him as the two West Representatives for two full seasons. During that time we became good friends and would often share ideas and stories on long phone calls. I will always cherish the advice and guidance he gave to me. Clent, I will follow your lead and continue to #GrowTheGame.” – Billy Forte, Owner/GM of the SF Stompers FC
“Clents vision for bringing professional soccer to San Diego will forever go unmatched. As an owner he not only cared passionately about his dream for the club, but about everyones dream for themselves as well. Any man who gives selflessly to help someones dream when they can is the type of man you need as a leader. That man was Clent, not only an owner, but a friend. R.I.P. Clent” – Justin Picou, Player for San Diego Flash
“The passing of Clent Alexander is a real loss to the soccer community in Southern California. Anytime you lose someone who is willing to support soccer at the NPSL level, it is a real loss to the game as a whole.” – Brandon Jantz, Temecula FC
“Clent was a class individual. Worked with him on bringing his NPSL group into the league long ago. Truly a sad day in the football world.” – Chris Keem, Rosedale-Moore Park Association
“Clent’s passion to grow the game of soccer in San Diego was admirable and well respected throughout California. RIP my friend.” – Steve Schell, Experient
“Clent was the consummate American Soccer man. He didn’t grow up around the game, but once he found it he was hooked and in for life. Clent went on to invest his heart, soul, time, and money in to the sport and is a true example of why soccer will continue to grow in the US. He will be sadly missed but never forgotten.” – Ryan Guy, Former San Diego Flash Player and now Assistant Director of San Diego Surf SC Development Academy
“Clent reinforced within me that it’s people that turn ideas into reality’s. I always appreciated Clent’s ability to be passionate about what he believed in but never to the point of sacrificing a relationship.” – Eric Warner, Football Club Hasental
Clent said recently, “Francisco, every single day I wake up and commit myself to becoming a better father, a better friend, but most of all a better man.”
“I bust my ass everyday to create what I was told could not and would not happen. But I would rather die than quit.” Today, these words keep replaying in my head …. A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him… Clent, my brother, you have done this.” Francisco Rivera
“Clent was truly an impressive individual, a man with great passion and vision. He was truly one of a kind, a leader who brought so much to the sport. His loss will be felt for many years to come.” – Gary Moody, NPSL Media/PR Consultant
“Sometimes you receive news that your imagination has no capacity to process – that one of San Diego’s finest human beings and my former neighbor, Clent Alexander, passed away. Clent was the visionary owner and CEO of my former ball club, San Diego Flash Pro Soccer Club. Every time I had a talk with Clent, I was transported into space where all things were possible. He was the kind of person that was consistently and to great effect “pulling the future into the present” for others so that you couldn’t think about a future without him. My deep condolences to his son, my friend Jordan, his family, and the entire San Diego Flash organization. Rest in peace, my friend.” – Noel Musicha, Player San Diego Flash
“As a businessman first and soccer enthusiast second, Clent worked every day to create an environment to promote and support the soccer community in San Diego. As CEO of the San Diego Flash, he dedicated his time and resources to ensuring the youth, players and the fans were always first.” – Oscar Urteaga, Southwest Strategies
“I had the privilege of meeting and talking to Clent over the last few years. He had a huge passion and love for the game and was always focused on the future growth of soccer in San Diego. He leaves a gap that not only San Diego but the game needs, he will be missed.” – Jesus Acevedo, Soccer Coach
“Clent will be remembered for his willingness to lead by example. He stepped up to take on difficult challenges because it was the ‘right thing to do.’ My thoughts are with Clent, his loved ones, and the San Diego Flash community.” – Nick Arellano, Real San Jose
“You didn’t have to know Clent well to be touched by his is kindness and generosity. We met him at a fundraiser he did with San Diego Flash in support of my daughter’s ‘Goals for Gold’ campaign. His enthusiasm and willingness to help were as infectious as his great big smile. He was a class act and a true humanitarian.” – Erika Soares, SD Surf SC GU13 EGSL
“Clent was a Do-er. I hear lots of people talk about stuff, Clent kept busy doing stuff to further the game. We didn’t always agree, but he was always happy to discuss things, and always greeted me with a smile. The defining moment for me was at Balboa stadium in the San Diego Derby when the Flash had tied San Diego Boca in injury time only to have Boca run down the field to grab the win 3:2. He took the time to go to the press box and congratulate Boca’s ownership. Despite losing a heartbreaker, particularly to a team where there was no love lost, Clent took the time to take the high road. I read a quote that said the true character of a man can be revealed not in victory, but in defeat. That night, Clent revealed himself to be a true gentleman. The game has lost a great supporter and advocate. The San Diego soccer community will miss you.” –Gareth Maden, Former San Diego Flash Marketing Consultant.
“Clent’s passion for growing the game and for San Diego Flash was well known. He worked very hard to bring quality soccer to America’s 8th largest city. Even though we competed, we shared a great love of the game.” –Yan Skwara, Commissioner UPSL
The only thing that comes to mind to add is how sad it is that Clent did not live long enough to see a proper soccer stadium built in San Diego, but as the minutes pass and turn into hours and days, thoughts flood my mind with how sad it is that he is gone — and how sad it is that he did not get the chance to see his son older.
Family’s Announcement on Celebration of Clent’s Life
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Clenton Anthony Alexander, our beloved brother, son, father, and friend. Clenton passed away on the afternoon of Saturday, February 14th, surrounded by his family. He was dearly loved by all who knew him, and he will be greatly missed.A funeral service celebrating Clenton’s life and memory will be held on Friday, February 27th, at 1:00 pm at the Holy Cross Mortuary at 5835 West Slauson Avenue, Culver City, CA 90230, (310) 836-5500. A viewing will take place before the service from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. Following the funeral service, all family and friends are invited to an informal reception at the home of Clenton’s cousin, Kay Patricia Johnson, at 1801 Buckingham Road, Los Angeles, CA 90019.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Jordan Alexander Scholarship Fund. Donations to the fund will be held in a trust by Clenton’s brother, Christopher, to be used for the college education of Clenton’s son, Jordan. Donations may be made by check addressed to “Christopher Alexander” and mailed to 26441 Chambers Avenue, Sun City, CA 92586
