Indy Eleven Defender Greg Janicki Announces Retirement
Published on December 9, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Indy Eleven News Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Indy Eleven will have some big shoes to fill on its backline after today's announcement that veteran center back Greg Janicki is retiring from the ranks of professional soccer.
"The travel, the schedule, the injuries, it all gets harder to manage every year, so going into the season I talked with my family about this maybe being the last season," said Janicki, who was instrumental in helping Indy Eleven claim the NASL's 2016 Spring Season championship.
"I always thought it would be harder to walk away after a bad season, but I think it might have been even harder after a good year like we had because there are so many good people in place here in Indy," continued Janicki. "I had so much fun this year that it was hard to walk away and start something new, but it was the right time for us. My family and I are happy to be back in Michigan and to start the next chapter."
The native of New Holland, Mich., finished his playing days as a member of Indy Eleven in 2015 and 2016, his final season including a career-high four goals in 23 regular season appearances (22 starts) and another two starts in Indy's first postseason appearance in The Championship. Janicki made at least 20 regular season appearances in all five of his seasons in the NASL with the San Antonio Scorpions (2012-14) and Indy Eleven, totaling 107 regular season appearances and four additional postseason contests.
"Greg is just an outstanding professional, and it was an honor to work with him both in San Antonio and to see him finish out his career here in Indy," said Indy Eleven head coach Tim Hankinson. "He has always been instrumental as a leader in the locker room and was the best center back I've seen in the NASL. I wish Greg and his family all the best and look forward to seeing him continue to succeed in his next endeavor."
Prior to his Spring Season title success with Indy Eleven this past season, highlights of the Michigan State University standout's nine-year professional career included lifting the NASL's Soccer Bowl Trophy as a member of San Antonio in 2014, three seasons of play with Major League Soccer's D.C. United (2008-09) and Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2011), taking part in five CONCACAF Champions League matches as a member of D.C. United and winning the 2010 USSF D2 Defender of the Year award while with Vancouver. www.IndyEleven.com (http://www.indyeleven.com/) / Follow @IndyEleven on https://twitter.com/IndyElevenTwitter (https://twitter.com/IndyEleven), https://www.facebook.com/IndyElevenFacebook (https://www.facebook.com/IndyEleven) & Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/indyeleven/)
About Indy Eleven Professional Soccer Indy Eleven recently finished its third season of play in the North American Soccer League (NASL), a professional soccer league based in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. After leading the league in attendance each of its first two seasons with more than 10,000 per game at IUPUI's Michael A. Carroll Stadium in downtown Indianapolis, Indy Eleven's historic 2016 campaign included winning the first trophy in club history, the Spring Season championship, and earning its first postseason appearance that ended in The Championship Final.
Born Indy Pro Soccer after launching as the 11^th member of the North American Soccer League on January 16, 2013, Indy Eleven established its identity 99 days later on the 152^nd anniversary of the establishment of the 11^th Indiana Regiment during the Civil War on April 25, 1861. The mission of Indy Eleven - "To win championships with and for the community" - stays true to its aim of fielding a team that will represent Indiana proudly on and off the field. Get the latest news on "Indiana's Team" at www.IndyEleven.com (http://www.indyeleven.com/) and via the club's @IndyEleven channels on social media (http://www.indyeleven.com/social-media), including Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/indyeleven), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/indyeleven), Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/indyeleven) & Snapchat (http://www.indyeleven.com/social-media) .
North American Soccer League Stories from December 9, 2016
- Indy Eleven Defender Greg Janicki Announces Retirement - Indy Eleven
- Head Coach Tim Hankinson Returning to Indy Eleven for 2017 Season - Indy Eleven
- Fury and Impact Announce Partnership - Ottawa Fury FC
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