Don D'Ambra Announces Retirement
April 14, 2010 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Philadelphia KiXX News Release
Philadelphia (Wednesday, April 14, 2010) - Head Coach Don D'Ambra has announced his retirement as a player and head coach of the two-time Major Indoor Soccer League Champion Philadelphia KiXX, effective today. D'Ambra will remain with the team through the 2010 KiXX Summer Kamp campaign.
"I'd like, first and foremost, to thank Jeff Rotwitt for the opportunities he's extended to me as a KiXX player and coach," D'Ambra said. "Few people have the chance to play the sport they love for a living; even fewer for so many years and in their hometown. Jeff, Don Pasquale, Charlie Wright and Bill Begley have remained committed to the team and to me through many challenges, and I cannot fully express my gratitude for that. This organization has always done things with professionalism and class."
KiXX President Jeffrey Rotwitt shared similar feelings about D'Ambra.
"Don is arguably one of the best forwards of all-time to play professional indoor soccer," Rotwitt stated. "He has an amazing work ethic and a true passion for the game. Our fans, his wife, Leslie, and daughters have been a great support system over his career, and we look forward to officially retiring his number at a game next season."
The 37-year old D'Ambra retires after 16 seasons as a player, 14 with the KiXX and seven campaigns as the team's head coach. D'Ambra, who is the longest tenured athlete in the City of Philadelphia, is the KiXX all-time leader in points (905), goals (388), power play goals (44), game-winning goals (46), games played (445) and shots (1599).
With 119 wins, the Philadelphia native has led the club to two league championships - one as a player in 2002 and the other as player/coach in 2007, where he was named the 2007 MISL Championship Game MVP after scoring two goals in a win over the Detroit Ignition, 13-8.
A search for a successor to D'Ambra will begin immediately.
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