Doug Saves The Lancers
August 24, 2014 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Rochester Lancers News Release
Rochester Lancers fans: I'm pleased to announce we will return for the 2014/15 season. I was ready to retire from the game, but after the "Living Legend" Doug Miller went public about keeping the Lancers going, so much has changed. Doug convinced my family to get involved with the ownership of the team. My amazing staff will handle the business side, and Doug will handle team operations.
Rich Randall, the new President of Business Operations and Doug Miller, the new President of Team Operations, met with the MASL and BCA officials to secure our return this season. My family, who has been working behind the scenes helping with soccer since the mid 90's, will take ownership of the team and I will enjoy being a fan again.
My wife Linda and my 3 kids Salvatore, Roxanna and Silvio were part of the original SoccerSam TV show covering local soccer, the Buffalo Blizzard, and the original Rhinos. They were my camera team and on-air personalities for years. When the Rhinos started in 1996, my kids with their teammates and friends were the painted face kids running around the Stadium getting national attention. I forgot how long they had been involved helping me with the growth of Pro Soccer in this great community and now they will help behind the scenes with the ownership of the Lancers.
It was a challenging off season with a new league, lease and personal issues. I was ready to hang up my Black and White jacket. I love the game but not the business. I notified the staff that the Lancers would not return. On August 2, 2014, I released the news.
Hours later Doug Miller called and said the media was calling him. I told him my feelings and he shared how upset his family was. I told Doug to meet with the staff, BCA, the City and the League, and if anything changes I would support him.
We soon met with my staff and they all wanted to stay on board. They met with my wife, Linda, with a plan on how they could run the Lancers without me involved at the office. My wife and kids agreed on the staff plan and the rest was up to new President of Soccer Operations, Doug Miller, new President of Business Operations, Rich Randall, and with help from team CFO Steve Stokes.
Lancers Sponsor, DJ Vella called. His dad Vince, has been a lifelong friend of mine, team dentist, and sponsor from day one. He called and wanted to support the Lancers and other sponsors soon followed. Season ticket holders called to renew and add more seats. Game day staff, owners, players and dancers called to help in any way possible. It made me realize how many people love this team as much as I do.
Rich and Doug have met with the League and BCA to secure agreements for a successful 2014/15 season. On September 3, the Chairman of the MASL, Ed Hale will be in town and we will announce opener, teams in league, Board of Directors, team staff, players, dancers, uniform sponsor, radio/TV deals, and all the title sponsors for Rochester's only 100% locally owned team.
So it's pretty simple. My family will own the team, Doug will manage the team with his staff, Rich will manage the business side with our current staff: Patty Powers, Mike Moran, Lyndsay Houghton, Donna Waasdorp, Kayla Kent and Ashley King. I will go back to being a fan, help game day, do my Saturday radio show, and be on every road trip enjoying my popcorn.
Special thanks to Josh Rife for all his hard work with camps and appearances this past summer, Aloha Brudda and the best of luck in your next adventure.
Thanks again to everyone involved, Feel The Kick For Life! - Salvatore "SoccerSam" Fantauzzo
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from August 24, 2014
- Doug Saves The Lancers - Rochester Lancers
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