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NASL Tampa Bay Rowdies

Rowdies Hire USL Founder Francisco Marcos to Lead International Development Effort

May 1, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release


Francisco Marcos with Bill Edwards
Francisco Marcos with Bill Edwards
(Tampa Bay Rowdies)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (May 1, 2015) - The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced today that they have retained Francisco Marcos to lead the club's new international development effort. Marcos comes to the Rowdies with more than 40 years of experience in developing soccer in the United States.

As a result of that experience, he was awarded U.S. Soccer's prestigious Werner Fricker Builder Award, the highest single honor bestowed by the national governing body upon an individual for life-time achievement and contributions to the growth of the sport. He was also elected to the U.S.A.S.A. Hall of Fame in 2013 and last year was elected a Life Member of U.S. Soccer.

This is a homecoming of sorts for the Portuguese soccer legend. Marcos' first stint with the Rowdies began in 1974, when he was the club's Director of Public Relations and Director of Soccer Development. During his eight years with the team, he recruited both Farrukh Quraishi and Perry Van Der Beck. Quraishi was the team's first-ever draft pick and now serves as the Rowdies' President and General Manager. Van Der Beck was the first high school player drafted, and is now Assistant General Manager and Vice President for Community Relations.

In 1986, Marcos founded the United Soccer Leagues (then called the Southwest Indoor Soccer League), the largest collection of professional and amateur soccer leagues in the United States. He served as its president for 26 years, growing the organization to more than 100 clubs across North America. He also served on the Board of Directors for U.S. Soccer for 14 years and the U.S. Soccer Foundation for nine years.

As the Rowdies international development consultant, Marcos will focus on creating cultural, economic development and tourism opportunities for both the Rowdies and the region. Player exchanges and development opportunities like the Rowdies' pre-season training tour to Portugal are high on the to-do list.

"The St. Pete-Clearwater area is not as well-known as Orlando and Miami," said Marcos. "My hope is to use soccer to tell the world about everything this destination has to offer, while giving the Rowdies and international players a unique opportunity to learn from one another. I have studied the history of sports in America and am excited to be a part of this outstanding chapter in U.S. soccer and Rowdies history."

"We are building more than a soccer team here," added Rowdies Principal Owner Bill Edwards. "We're building a part of the fabric of St. Pete and Tampa Bay. Adding Francisco Marcos to the team will strengthen our ties to the international soccer world and ultimately make us a more valuable member of the local community."

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Images from this story

Francisco Marcos with Sunil Gulati
Francisco Marcos with Sunil Gulati
 Francisco Marcos with Bill Edwards
Francisco Marcos with Bill Edwards
  



North American Soccer League Stories from May 1, 2015


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