US Club Soccer Board of Directors Adds New Officers
With youth soccer players returning to the pitch, a new group of individuals have been named to committee positions at US Club Soccer. The notable organization continues to provide the youth soccer landscape with a foundation based on experience in the industry. The Board of Directors currently consists of 12 members with extensive leadership, coaching and soccer experience.
YOUTH SOCCER NEWS: This week, US Club Soccer’s Board of Directors (BOD) announced the appointment of new Officer and Executive Committee members.
Gary Buete has been named Chairperson and member of the Executive Committee. Buete is the Chairperson and an Executive Committee member of the BOD. He is also the CEO of North Carolina FC Youth and former Executive Director of Baton Rouge Soccer Club. He joined the nation’s largest youth soccer organization in 2014 and oversaw the merger of Capital Area Soccer League and Triangle Futbol Club Alliance—now known as North Carolina FC Youth.
Buete earned a degree in exercise physiology from Lander University in 1994. He continued his education at East Tennessee State University, earning a master’s degree in sports management in 1996. He has more than 22 years of club leadership and coaching experience at various levels. Buete holds a U.S. Soccer National ‘A’ License.
“I would like to thank the board for their trust and confidence as the next Chairperson of the Board of Directors for US Club Soccer,” said Buete. “It is an honor to work alongside so many great soccer professionals from across the country and a talented staff that works tirelessly to grow and improve the game at all levels. I want to thank Mike Cullina for his exceptional leadership during his tenure and I am excited or the future.”
Eddie Henderson has been named Vice Chairperson and member of the Executive Committee. He is currently the Technical Director of ISC Gunners FC, a scout for the U.S. Soccer Federation and a staff coach for the US Club Soccer id2 Program. He played collegiately for the University of Washington and professionally in the NPSL, APSL and MSL from 1988-99. He appeared on the U17, U18 and U20 U.S. Soccer Youth National Teams, including the 1987 U20 World Cup team. Henderson has over 20 years of coaching experience at various levels and holds a U.S. Soccer National ‘A’ License.
“I am honored and privileged to serve as the Vice Chairperson for US Club Soccer,” said Henderson. “I accept the responsibility and will strive to exceed all expectations from US Club Soccer and I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve and help the organization in this expanded role.”
Tim Lesiak will continue as Secretary and member of the Executive Committee in addition to his role as a Regional Board Director–Midwest. He is currently Ohio Elite Soccer Academy Director of Coaching. Prior to this position at Ohio Elite, the U.S. Soccer A-licensed coach spent eight years as Director of Coaching for the Cardinal Soccer Club. He played collegiately for the University of Cincinnati where he earned All-Mid East Region honors twice. He also played professionally with the Cincinnati Cheetahs in the USISL.
“I am very excited to once again be elected as the US Club Soccer Board of Directors Executive Committee Secretary,” said Lesiak. “It is an honor to work alongside some of the best soccer minds in the business who truly put players first in all decisions.”
Shannon Cirovski will continue as a non-officer member of the Executive Committee. Cirovski, Director of Coaching for Bethesda SC (Md.), was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2002. She was a midfielder for the U.S. Women’s National Team, earning 51 caps from 1987-91. She assisted on both goals during the team’s 1991 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final victory. Cirovski had head coaching stints with George Washington University, University of Maryland and the U.S. U18 WNT.
“I am honored to continue in my role on the Board of Directors Executive Committee,” said Cirovski. “I believe in the mission and values of US Club Soccer and look forward to continuing to push for the betterment of the game.”
Hue Menzies will fill the remaining term of the Regional Board Director—Southern Region seat vacated by Buete. Menzies, Executive Director of Florida Kraze Krush, brings more than 35 years of coaching experience to the US Club Soccer BOD. As head coach, Menzies led the Jamaica Women’s National Team to its first-ever berth in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019. Before moving to Florida, Menzies was one of the founders of the Lonestar Soccer Association (Texas) and Director of Coaching for the Warrior Soccer Association (Texas).
“First, I would like to congratulate the other new appointments to the Board of Directors,” said Menzies. “I am privileged to be serving in one of the Southeast Regional seats for the next three years. I plan on continuing to serve this board for the betterment of the game and to assist in pushing the organization forward.”
As a result of the appointments, Mike Cullina will hold the Immediate Past Chairperson’s seat through June 30, 2021. Following the period, he will join US Club Soccer’s staff in advance of becoming the next CEO/Executive Director. Additionally, Phil Wright’s term as Immediate Past Chairperson has concluded. Wright has volunteered his time on the BOD since its inception in 2001, serving as Chairperson from 2003 to 2018.
Media Credit: US Club Soccer – Source: Release
