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Heat Makes Coaching Change

August 6, 2002 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Harrisburg Heat News Release


Harrisburg, PA - The Harrisburg Heat announced today that Head Coach Richard Chinapoo, a Heat Hall of Fame member and the 2000-01 NPSL Coach of the Year, will not have his contract renewed by the franchise for the 2002-03 Major Indoor Soccer League season. The club has named Erich Geyer (pronounced AIR-ick GUY-er) as the third Head Coach in Heat history, effective immediately. Geyer and the Heat have agreed on a two-year deal.

Geyer, currently in Mexico, is reachable today and tonight at 011 52 818 3449040, Room 326. He is tentatively expected to arrive in Harrisburg the week of August 19. Media inquiries will also be accomodated by the Heat front office at 717-233-8172.

"This announcement comes with mixed emotions," said Heat Vice President of Soccer Operations Jim Pollihan, whose professional relationship with Chinapoo dates back to their days with the Baltimore Blast of the original MISL. "Richard has been a true professional throughout his ten years with the Heat. He is a fierce competitor and a close friend. We wish him well in future endeavors."

Chinapoo completes a four-year stint as Heat Head Coach with a record of 71-94 (.430 winning percentage). Under Chinapoo, Harrisburg logged two winning seasons (21-19 in 1998-99, 24-16 in 2000-01) and two losing campaigns (16-28 in 1999-00 and 10-34 in 2001-02). The '00-01 Heat tied a franchise record with its 24-16 mark, earning Chinapoo NPSL Coach of the Year honors. Chinapoo took his team to the postseason in both '98-99 and '00-01, but failed to win a playoff game during his tenure.

With Chinapoo behind the bench, Harrisburg generated eight All-Stars, eight All-League selections, five All-Rookie selections, and one Most Valuable Player (Gino DiFlorio in 2000-01).

Chinapoo remains one of the finest players ever to wear a Heat uniform. After starring in the original MISL with the Baltimore Blast and Dallas Sidekicks, Chinapoo arrived in Harrisburg for the 1992-93 season. By the time he hung up the Purple and Black jersey, the native of Trinidad had become the Heat's all-time leader in blocks (337) and ranks among the team's all-time leaders in games played (3rd - 243), 3pgs (2nd - 29), 2pg (9th - 65), total goals (8th - 101), assists (7th - 130), and points (7th - 354). The 45-year old became the fifth member of the Heat Hall of Fame on November 3, 2001.

"I'd like to thank the Heat organization, [Heat owners] Mr. [Rod] Rumberger and Dr. [Rex] Herbert, and Jim Pollihan for this opportunity," said Chinapoo. "I'd also like to thank my players, past and present, and the office staff for their support. Most of all, I'd like to thank the fans, who were with us through the good times and the bad. I've had ten good years here, and it's become home. I wish the organization and my replacement all the best."

Geyer, 51, stands as one of the most notable figures in indoor soccer history. The native of Adelsdorf, Germany played 113 indoor games in a career that featured stops with the Hartford Hellions, Chicago Sting, and San Diego Sockers of the original MISL, scoring 25 goals and 48 points as a defender. Geyer won four indoor championships as a player (two in the NASL and two in the MISL, all with the Sockers) before ending his playing career in 1985.

In December of 1986, Geyer snagged his first head coaching job with the MISL's Chicago Sting, a role he held until the franchise folded in 1988. Geyer returned to the bench as Assistant Coach for the Sockers in 1989-90, beginning a remarkable stretch of coaching success. Geyer won three MISL/MSL championships as an assistant with the Sockers from '90-92 before being named the first (and only) head coach in the history of the Monterrey La Raza of the Continental Indoor Soccer League (later the World Indoor Soccer League).

Under Geyer, La Raza quickly rose to dominance, winning CISL titles in 1995 and 1996 and the WISL title in 2000. Geyer was named CISL Coach of the Year following the 1995 season.

Beginning in 1993, Geyer also served as the Head Coach of the Mexican Indoor National Team, and enjoyed equally extraordinary achievement in that capacity. With Geyer at the helm, the Mexican team notched International Tournament titles in 1993 and 1994 (consistently defeating soccer powers such as Argentina and Brazil), and won the first Indoor World Cup in 1997.

"Erich brings a wealth of experience to our organization," said Pollihan. "He has reveled in the joys of winning championships and understands the dedication and preparation involved in reaching the highest pinnacle in sports. The Heat is excited to have such an accomplished individual take over the coaching duties for the franchise."

"I'm very excited to be back coaching in the MISL," said Geyer from Mexico. "I appreciate the opportunity Heat ownership has given me here. I'm very anxious to get to Harrisburg, evaluate our options, and put together a competitive, exciting team for the coming season. I look forward to a very successful year."

After studying at the Hochschulinstitut fuer Leibesuebungen in Erlangen, Germany, Geyer became a teacher in the German school system. He did not begin his playing career until the age of 23 with FC Bamberg (German Third Division), and moved to the U.S. in 1980.

All told, Geyer has been involved in an amazing 13 indoor championships: four as a player, three as an Assistant Coach, three as Head Coach of the Mexican National Indoor Team, and three as Head Coach of La Raza. Geyer, who is fluent in English, German, and Spanish, also acted as the Sockers' Director of Community Relations in 1984, and served on the WISL's Competition Committee from 1999-00. "The Wolfman," as he is nicknamed, participated in the Legends Game as part of the 2002 MISL All-Star Weekend in Cleveland.

In related news, the Heat also announced today that the club will officially open preseason training camp on Monday, September 9 at Sports City on Linglestown Road.

The Heat will open its 2002-03 MISL season on Saturday, October 5 in Philadelphia against the defending champion KiXX. Harrisburg's '02-03 home opener against the Dallas Sidekicks is slated for Saturday, November 2 at 7:35 p.m.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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