by Summer 1995 NPSL News
---------------------
The NPSL is a USSF Professional Division Member whose 13 teams (for
1995-96, located primarily in the Midwest and East) play a 40-game schedule
from Novermber through March.
Contents: * Toronto Joins NPSL
* Tampa Bay Selects in Expansion Draft
* Around the NPSL, Summer 1995
*****
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Toronto Joins NPSL
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1996-97 Expansion Team to Play at Maple Leaf Gardens
27 Jun 1995 - The NPSL will go international by expanding into Canada as
the league awards a Toronto group a team to begin play in the 1996-97
season. NPSL Commissioner Steve M. Paxos made the announcement at the
Royal York Hotel in Toronto.
"This is a huge step in the NPSL's continued growth," noted Commissioner
Paxos. "Our move into Toronto brings our brand of indoor soccer
e***ment to another major North American city and opens the door for
future expansion into Canada."
The new Toronto team will be owned and operated by Toronto Indoor
Professional Soccer Group Ltd., which has paid its membership/team fees
and posted the NPSL-required financial security. The team signed a
five-year lease to play at the Maple Leaf Gardens (15,642 capacity). Team
colors and nickname will be announced this fall. Ticket prices will range
from $8.50 to $16.00.
"This is a tremendous soccer market," said Francois Glasman, who will
serve as President of the Toronto NPSL team. "We are looking forward to
providing this area with an exciting entertainment product. Our marketing
emphasis will be that this sports organization is For the Kids."
Among the attendees of the announcement were Toronto Mayor Barbara Hall,
Maple Leaf Gardens & Toronto Maple Leafs President Cliff Fletcher, and
Canadian Soccer Association President Terry Quinn.
Toronto Indoor Professional Soccer Group Limited
123 Edward Street, Suite 1508
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1E2
Phone: (416) 597-8277
FAX: (416) 597-8448
President: Francois Glasman
Head Coach: TBA
Media Relations: Randy Sageman
Home Arena: Maple Leaf Gardens (15,642)
Ticket Prices: $8.50 to $16.00
Expansion Team for 1996-97 Season
*****
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Tampa Bay Terror Makes Picks in NPSL Expansion Draft
----------------------------------------------------
5 Jun 1995 - The Tampa Bay Terror began the process of building its
expansion team by participating in the 1995-96 NPSL Expansion Draft. The
Terror selected one player form each of the NPSL's 12 returning teams.
Player Position Former Team
* Jon Parry F Baltimore Spirit
^ Mike Britton D Buffalo Blizzard
James Danaher MF Canton Invaders
Juan Carranza MF Chicago Power
Phil Wolf D Cincinnati Silverbacks
Bill Andracki GK Cleveland Crunch
Brian Thiel D/MF Detroit Rockers
Doug Petras GK Harrisburg Heat
* Jeff Rogers MF Kansas City Attack
Larry Julius D Milwaukee Wave
Scott McDoniel MF St. Louis Ambush
^ John Garvey F Wichita Wings
NOTES:
* Baltimore agreed to expose Jon Parry, a 132 point scorer for the Spirit
in 1994-95 in return for one of the players selected in the Expansion
Draft. Tampa Bay selected Jeff Rogers from KC, and trades him to
Baltimore, enabling the Terror to draft Parry from Baltimore.
^ Wichita agreed to expose John Garvey, the Wings' leading goal scorer in
1994-95 with 49 goals, in return for one of the players selected in the
Expansion Draft. Tampa Bay selected Mike Britton from Buffalo, and trades
him to Wichita, enabling the Terror to draft Garvey from Wichita.
*****
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Around the NPSL, Summer 1995
----------------------------
In news around the NPSL:
**Tampa Bay Terror**
Announced on 8 May the signings of rookie forwards Rivers Guthrie (Clemson
University, 1st Territorial Round pick in Dec 1994 NPSL Amateur Draft,
currently playing for A-League Colorado Foxes), Matt Borgard, and Andy
Zorovich.
Around the American Division
----------------------------
**Baltimore Spirit**
signed (6 Jun) free agent F Bobby Joe Esposito, member of the 1992-93
Champion KC Attack and former 100-point scorer; signed MF Barry Stitz,
Spirit's all-time leader in games played (118), to 3-year contract.
**Buffalo Blizzard**
club expects around 1000 youth summer soccer campers, who will receive
instruction from Rudy and Randy Pikuzinsky, Bobby and Mike Dinunzio, and
Andy Crawford; high-scoring F Gino DiFlorio, who ruptured his right
achilles tendon, continues rehabilitation and hopes to return for 1995-96
season.
**Canton Invaders**
head coach Denzil Antonio oversees Invaders' summer camp program; F
Marcelo Carrera, club's leading scorer in 1994-95, is playing for the
A-League NY Centaurs this summer.
**Cincinnati Silverbacks**
named (22 May) Gary Hindley Director of Player Personnel/Head Coach -
Hindley spent last 3 seasons as head coach of the Cleveland Crunch,
leading the Crunch to the 1993-94 title.
**Cleveland Crunch**
Team President/GM Al Miller continues search for vacant head coaching
position; Miller, inductee into National Soccer Hall of Fame, will take
part in induction ceremonies in Oneonta, NY on 2 Jul.
**Harrisburg Heat**
30% increase in youth summer soccer campers; announced (21 Jun) that owner
Rex Herbert has signed letter of intent to sell minority portion of
Harrisburg Soccer, Inc. to local businessmen Rod Rumberger and Rob
Bleacher, which includes the NPSL team and the operation of two indoor
soccer facilities and related business interests.
Around the National Division
----------------------------
**Chicago Power**
a number of Power players are playing outdoors this summer, including
First-Team All-Rookie F Tony Sanneh (Minnesota Thunder), D Albert Adade
(Chicago Stingers), F Dan Stebbins (Milwaukee Rampage), and GK Jim Adams
(Columbus Xoggz).
**Detroit Rockers**
GK Bryan Finnerty directs youth summer soccer camp program of 2000, with
appearances by Head Coach Pato Margetic and other Rockers players.
**Kansas City Attack**
signed F Goran Hunjak and F Brian Loftin to long-term contracts; named (21
Jun) Natalie Lutz Director of Media Relations, replacing Tyler Cundith.
**Milwaukee Wave**
Head Coach Keith Tozer directs largest youth summer soccer camp program in
NPSL with 2500 campers, with appearances by Victor Nogueira, Matt Knowles,
and Michael King; the Wave was named recipient of the 1995 John L. Van
*** Memorial Award for community service given by Milwaukee County Office
on Handicapped.
**St. Louis Ambush**
report 33% increase in season ticket sales, helped by 1994-95 title;
signed (8 Jun) All-NPSL First-Team F Mark Moser to long-term contract.
**Wichita Wings**
announced (8 Jun) extension of player contracts with GK Kris Peat,
LeBarron Holliman, Eddie Henderson, David Adams, and Jimmy McGeough.
*****
Information taken from NPSL News Release, dated 27 Jun 1995.
Find this and other NPSL Info on the NPSL WWW Pages:
http://SportToday.org/~krm1/npslmain.html
-kevin
Thu 6 Jul 07:55 EDT