David Bascome Becomes the First City Islander
December 16, 2003 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
Harrisburg, PA â The Harrisburg City Islanders announced on Tuesday that midfielder David Bascome, a star indoors for more than a decade and member of the Bermuda National Team, has signed with the club. Bascome becomes the first player signed by the Islanders since their inception in September.
Bascome is well known to Harrisburg soccer fans, having played for the Harrisburg Heat from 1991 until the club dismantled in the summer of 2003 (he also played 10 games for the Denver Thunder in 1992-93). His name is emblazoned in the record books as the Heat's all-time leader in nearly every major statistical category, including games played (350), goals (374), points (912), and blocks (343).
"At our introductory press conference in September, we described the ideal City Islanders player as a hard-working, two-way player who displays a commitment to the team and the community," said City Islanders President Eric Pettis. "David Bascome is exactly that type of player. He is world-class on the field and a class act off the field."
Widely regarded as one of the finest two-way players in the history of indoor soccer, Bascome has been named to four NPSL/MISL All-Star Teams. He has scored 100 or more points four times, and has recorded three "40-40" seasons (40 goals and 40 blocks). His finest campaign came in 2000-01, when he scored 53 goals and 128 points and blocked 61 shots. Following that season, he finished as the runner-up in NPSL Most Valuable Player balloting.
The native of Smiths, Bermuda, has also made numerous appearances for the Bermuda National Team, for whom he has played since he was 19.
Bascome, 33, finished sixth in the MISL in scoring in 2002-03 with 90 points, was second in total goals with 40, and led the circuit with 15 power play goals. He is currently in his first season with the Baltimore Blast, and has scored nine goals and 15 points through his first 11 games.
"David is the perfect type of player to build our team around," said City Islanders Head Coach Bill Becher, who played with Bascome for the Heat from 1991-99. "He makes players around him better, and his work ethic and professionalism are contagious. Fans in Harrisburg have seen David play indoors for many years â now they'll be able to see that he is just as good an outdoor player."
"The biggest reason I've signed with the City Islanders is to keep the game in Harrisburg," said Bascome, who commutes to Baltimore for practice and games while running his acclaimed Bascome Pro Soccer School (www.bascomesoccer.com), located on North Progress Avenue in Harrisburg. "It was hard to leave after I'd played here for so long, and now I want to give something back and enjoy myself. There is a strong base of support for soccer here in Harrisburg, and it's good to expose the youth players in the area to professional players."
The City Islanders have also gone on sale with season tickets for the 2004 Pro Soccer League campaign. Islanders season tickets will be divided into three categories: General Admission, Reserved, and exclusive "Club Paradise" membership. Season ticket prices start at just $50 for the club's 10-game PSL regular season. Season ticket holders will hold the first rights to purchase tickets for U.S. Open Cup, exhibition, and playoff games.
For all season ticket packages, the Islanders are offering an impressive number of benefits, ranging from an official team newsletter and merchandise discounts to autographed game balls and "Stadium Seats."
"We have put a lot of effort into developing ticket packages that will give fans the best possible value," said City Islanders General Manager Joe Sierko. "From the start, we've wanted to make every City Islander game an event, a mini vacation with premier entertainment value. With these ticket plans, the related benefits, and a perfect venue in Skyline Sports Complex, we'll accomplish that goal."
Additionally, holiday gift certificates, which may be redeemed for tickets and/or merchandise, are now on sale.
The Harrisburg City Islanders will enter their first season of play in the outdoor Professional Soccer League, a division of the United Soccer Leagues, in April of 2004, with home games at the Skyline Sports Complex on City Island. For current information on the City Islanders, contact the team's offices at 717-441-GOAL, or visit www.cityislanders.com. For more information on the PSL or the USL, visit www.uslsoccer.com.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from December 16, 2003
- David Bascome Becomes the First City Islander - Penn FC
- Dynamo Offer Ticket Packages - Carolina Dynamo
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