Lou Fusz Soccer Club Patrons,
Today I am filled with a special appreciation for our past, and great excitement for our future.
Firstly, I want to extend a heartfelt Thank You for your continued support, understanding, and patience as we continue to grow and evolve as one of the best youth soccer clubs in the country. There are no words that accurately reflect my feelings seeing the park full of kids playing soccer on a Saturday, with the LFSC badge on their chest, just as I did almost 24 years ago. Sorry to date that!
We couldn’t have completed the recent numerous projects, both large and small, without the loyalty that you have shown our club, and my family. Some of those projects are in front of you, such as expanding our park from 4 turf fields to 8. The construction of walking paths and fencing around the fields, so all visitors can move about easily and safely from one field to the next. Increasing the size of the parking available to accommodate our growing numbers of soccer and lacrosse teams to the athletic complex. Some have been hidden from view, like the corrected drainage issues throughout our park. The tireless effort that Phil Fusz has dedicated towards the construction of the pavilion, which should be breaking ground soon and ready for use by the beginning of 2017!
My father taught me something about business and life that has stuck with me over the years; surround yourself with the best people you can find. People that challenge you and make you stand up straight. Luckily, he provided me with a house full of siblings that continue to do that every day. He also began this club, 24 years ago, with the best person for the job in Don Popovic. Pops has spent countless hours growing this club. Starting with 1 team, and nurturing it into the club we know and love today. Pops played a huge part in my development as a soccer player, and a young man, just as he has with thousands of kids over the years. His direction has given us an incredible foundation to continue to build on. As we look to progress in to the next stages of our development and our 25th anniversary, I sought out to find the best person for the job, just as my father had. That search led me to Dan Gargan.
I am beyond excited to introduce Dan as the first General Manager of Lou Fusz Athletic. Dan will oversee and facilitate the direction and growth of both the soccer and lacrosse clubs; who will continue to be led by Don Popovic and Todd Dillon. Dan joins us with a wealth of experience and knowledge at the youth, collegiate, and professional sports levels. A graduate of Georgetown University’s McDonogh School of Business in 2005, he was drafted to play professionally in Major League Soccer and has been a star performer for the past 12 years, with a highlight year in 2014 winning the MLS championship. A quick Google search will provide all you need to know on past accolades and credentials that can’t fit here!
I am confident that with the inclusion of Dan Gargan, to Pops and Todd, we are poised for great things. We are putting the pieces in place to be able to grow and achieve my goal of positively affecting every family in St. Louis by the year 2020! Certainly you all can feel my excitement, and I am thrilled to finally be able to share this first piece of great news with you. More to come!
See you at the Park!
Pete Fusz