Behind the Scenes @ the San Diego Sockers — A look at the People Behind the Players
The San Diego Sockers are gearing up for their best MASL campaign ever as the acclaimed arena soccer club prepares for the 2016/17 season.
Aiming for another championship ring to add to the already glittering accomplishments requires great support from the front office — the people who make the organization run. San Diego’s most winning sports team ever relies on the talent behind the curtain on game day and every day. As with all professional sports organizations, if the heart and soul belong to the players and the fans, the front office is the real guts and brains of the operation.
Just last month, local legend and former pro player Sean Bowers took over as the General Manager of the San Diego Sockers. Now, SoccerToday takes an exclusive peak behind the scenes as the new front office takes shape and takes on the less glamorous side of creating a winning season.
MASL Soccer News: When Sean Bowers agreed to become the General Manager of the San Diego Sockers, everyone was thrilled. To have a former player as the GM is music to most players’ ears — especially when that player played for the same coach Phil Salvagio, the man still calling the shots.
Related Article: Former Player Sean Bowers Takes Over San Diego Sockers
Former Captain of the US National Futsal Team, entrepreneurial businessman, and a players’ GM, Bowers has a great reputation for quality and a commitment to details.
“I am bringing my heart back to the Sockers — I want everyone to have their heart on the line too — I expect nothing less. We are a championship organization and this is what the Sockers deserve,” said Bowers.
As a former championship winning Sockers’ player, Bowers has familiarity with the team, the fans and being part of successful sports organizations. His first order of business? Getting his front office into fighting shape for the best season ever.
The front office is the engine of every professional sports team. Owners David Pike and Carl Savoia and Head Coach Phil Salvagio, GM Sean Bowers, Assistant Coach Ray Taila and all other front office staff collaborate to guide the vision and direction of the team on and off the field. The upcoming 2016/17 Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) season brings together a new team in the Sockers front office and represents an innovative shift for the San Diego Sockers.
Just as a reminder, the San Diego Sockers are the most successful indoor soccer teams in the sport’s history. The team has won a total of fourteen championships and holds the record for the longest winning streak in American professional soccer history.
The streak began on December 29, 2010, and lasted for 48 games — until the Sockers lost on January 27, 2013 by one point in overtime to the Dallas Sidekicks.
“The front office makes decisions and takes actions to maximize the exposure of the San Diego Sockers in our community,” said Ian Cook, San Diego Sockers Director of Marketing and Public Relations. “Our main goal is create an experience that fans can connect with at every level — from cheering on the team, wearing the team gear and even meeting the players.”
“The Sockers are San Diego’s only championship-winning franchise and its time that a new generation experiences the historical greatness of the Sockers,” said Cook.
“I want to walk into Starbucks and see fans wearing Sockers’ jerseys,” said Bowers. “I know we can make this happen.”
With the rise of digital and social media, sports organizations are well positioned to give fans even greater access and connect with players.
“Everyone wants to know what it means to be a pro player. At the Sockers, we are working hard behind the scenes right now to give our fans an experience that San Diego can be proud of,” said Cook. “We want our fans to feel a connection with our team.”
Connecting pro players with their fans as well as filling the arena falls on the shoulders of every member of the team. One way to harness communicating to fans and grow the club’s brand is through digital media outlets — and the Sockers have just launched a new website and are reaching out to fans regularly on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
“We — the front office staff — work behind the scenes mostly, but we are the individuals with the energy and passion to provide a compelling experience for our fans and our city. It’s a small team of only a handful of people that do everything to put the Sockers brand into the hands, hearts and minds of fans,” said Cook.
Meet the Rest of the Team Behind the Scenes:
Melissa Mahan — As the coach’s trusted right hand — she has been there since the relaunch of this famous franchise in 2009, Mahan is the engine and brains behind Sockers operations. The hub of the team and a fountain of knowledge, Mahan’s passion for the Sockers is second to none.
Chiky Luna — A Sockers former player with a great passion for the game, Luna is the Director of Player Personnel. In charge of interacting with players, coaching staff, coordinate logistics, Luna will make sure the soccer side runs like a perfect swiss clock.
Marybeth Hughes — With tons of experience in marketing and game day operations, Hughes will manage all club partnerships and coordinating Group Sales — as well as events, fundraising, and charity opportunities for the Sockers. If you want to work a deal for your youth soccer club, Hughes is the person to call.
Monica Spacciapolli — The job of ticketing falls on the shoulders of Spacciapolli and she looks forward to the responsibility of filling the arena being a team goal.
Shane Brown — With corporate sponsors everywhere in today’s world, Brown’s focus is on partnering with powerful, interested corporations and companies. With nearly 40,000 soccer loving fans watching the Sockers’ last season, this is a great professional team to sponsor.
Shellie Cluett — The creative force behind the championship team, Cluett will continue to be the creative director. Cluett has developed some of the most inspired creative in the league.
San Diego Sockers 2016/17 Front Office Staff:
| Sean Bowers | General Manager | |
| Ian Cook | Director of Marketing and Public Relations | |
| Melissa Mahan | Director of GameDay Operations/Admin | |
| Marybeth Hughes | Director of Merchandise & Club Partnerships | |
| Monica Spacciapolli | Ticketing Manager | |
| Chiky Luna | Director of Player Personnel | |
| Shane Brown | Corporate Sponsorships | |
| Shellie Cluett | Creative Director | |
| Tawny Strandberg | Accounting |
Sockers Trivia – who were the past MVPs?
- Former MASL MVP’s Kraig Chiles (3x 2010-2013), Brian Farber (2008-09) and Jeff Hughes (2009-2010).
- Chiles was selected to the Major Arena Soccer League All-League First Team for the 2015/16 season.
With the preparation for the upcoming season in the final stretch, the San Diego Sockers look forward to bringing the excitement of soccer to America’s Finest City.
The 2016/17 season will see the Sockers strive to emerge as the league’s best with every player — in the arena and behind the scenes — working together every step of the way.
