A-League.com: Why bring pro soccer to Syracuse?
Tim Kuhl: We see the success of the Rochester franchise and feel we can bring the same excitement to Syracuse. We feel we can offer a great community outlet in the area. We do not plan to make this just a Syracuse team. We will market to Binghamton, Utica and Watertown. All are within a 60-min drive to Syracuse and our games.
A: What kind of prior background do you have in dealing with professional sports?
TK: I have worked for years with Syracuse University. However, in professional sports, I was the V.P. of marketing for the Syracuse Crunch. While there, I was awarded the marketing manager of the year award twice. We average 95% sell-outs and feel we can do the same in soccer. We know it is the event that draws fans in. Make it a fun time and people will come. All of our front office has experience in sports.
A: How long was the Syracuse franchise planning underway?
TK: We started last winter. Our office started in October.
A: Who or what group is behind the launch of this franchise?
TK: We are a group of mostly local business people who want to bring soccer to town. Some have soccer as an interest (while) some just want to be on the bandwagon. Our staff is a group of professionals from both soccer and business. Both our V.P. of Sales and Director of Sponsorship Services have worked with professional teams. Our V.P. of Soccer Operations owns an indoor club in Syracuse.
A: With the territorial rights owned by Rochester, how early did you talk to them about this possibility?
TK: Last winter.
A: What was their initial reaction?
TK: Like the good businessmen they are (they asked) how would Rochester benefit? It would not make sense if there were not a win in this for them.
A: How supportive have they been in this process?
TK: They are the reason we are able to have a team. Frank DuRoss is my role model as a business man and as a man. Steve, Chris and Pat have all helped with advice and support. Our organization will always owe any success we have to Frank, Steve and Chris.
A: How supportive has the community of Syracuse been in this whole process and what will their relationship be with the club?
TK: Syracuse is just like anywhere else; it is a show-me town. We have been well received and get more excited everyday from comments. However, we have to go out and do it! Our whole goal is to be a real community asset. We hope to be a grass roots team and we understand the key to our success is youth soccer.
A: How involved will the club be with youth leagues in the area?
TK: We have developed a program as a fundraiser to help sell season tickets. For each ticket, the youth team makes money. This helps them and us. We are not just asking them to come to games; we want to support the youth teams in the area.
A: How does it feel to have someone as experienced as Coach Calloway running the team and what does he bring to the table, so to speak, for the club in general?
TK: Please understand the structure of our team. The front office and I will take care of the marketing of the team. Laurie has total control of the soccer side. We really found the right guy, What a special person and he will fit in Syracuse well. Laurie brings to us the experience in soccer. He compliments the event side of our operation. We can do all the bells and whistles but if you are not competitive people will not come. What I have been most impressed with by Laurie is his respect in the soccer community.
A: How involved will you be in assisting with the on the field aspects of the team such as player evaluation and possibly team selection?
TK: The only time I will have say in what happens on the field is half time! Laurie has the responsibility of all of the on the field aspects of the team.
A: With Rochester so successful to this point, do you feel any pressure to really come out of the gate at a brisk pace, so to speak, since there is another fairly local team doing so well?
TK: Somewhat. I think they have set the bar very high. Frank, Steve and Chris have done a great job. We have set our goals very high as well. Our goal is a sell-out every night. That is the mindset you have to have. What do we need to do to sell more tickets, sponsorship or win another game? I know this drives Rochester and will drive us as well.
A: What types of things do you think you will try to emulate that the Rochester franchise does today?
TK: Everything! Why would we not?
A: What other A-League franchises are you looking at as examples of how to do things?
TK: We would love to build a facility like the one Charleston has. We look at what everyone does, in all the leagues of the USL as well as the MLS teams. We probably have studied European teams mostly, though.
A: With another franchise so close to you, what made you want to start your own at the same level instead of starting lower, say, in the PSL or PDL instead of the A-League?
TK: We thought about it but feel since we have a Div 1 college program, AHL and AAA Baseball team people would want a team at the same level.
A: Do you have aspirations of entering the women's side of the game?
TK: We never close our mind to anything. Whatever the community and shareholders want and will be successful are things we'll consider.
A: What about stadium plans? How have negotiations been coming along to find the team a home field?
TK: We have been confident that we would be playing at P&C from day one. Some days a little more confident than others though. We have great county government officials including our parks department that run the stadium. It does remind me of Rochester. It has not been easy for them both at Frontier Field or the new stadium. If it were not worth fighting for, we would have cut and run a long time ago.
A: What are your initial thoughts on the A-League overall?
TK: I have told people I think the league is ready for a large growth spurt. This is mainly because of Rochester. They have showed people the business model and people will follow. I hope that we will help in that area. I remember starting the AHL team in Syracuse in 1994; the growth since then has been incredible. I think Dave Askinas is a leader who has great vision and common sense. He will make this league a premier league in the US.
A: Based on your initial impressions, what are your thoughts on the overall Men's structure in the USL (i.e., A, PSL, PDL, # of teams, ideal size, etc.), and what changes would you suggest, if you had any?
TK: I am impressed. I am used to a one-entity system, the AHL. Everyone in the AHL is only worried about the AHL. They all share the same structure so with all the teams in the USL in the room was different. The common link is that we all need to progress the sport of soccer.
A: What kind of fan support do you expect in this area that seems to be more inclined towards the games more traditionally played in the Carrier Dome (i.e. football, basketball, and to a lesser extent lacrosse)?
TK: That depends on how well we do our job with youth and how fun we make the event. Again, our goal is a sell-out every night. We know that will not happen, but if you set the goal and work for it you have a better chance to accomplish it.
A: What do you want the fans to know about Syracuse Pro Soccer?
TK: Get ready for a fun time at a Syracuse game. We want to be a great partner in the league.
Send your comments to the author or
Join us to discuss this article at usldiscussions.com
