Hello, Families!

     Indoor playoffs for the second session are about to begin for my 2 teams.  This means third session is just a week away.  Didn’t we just start these a few weeks ago?  Where most people follow the standard format of Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter as ways to break up the year, for me it seems to be Indoor, Spring, Tournament, Fall and Indoor again!  Are you like me?   Not that bad you say.  It’s been this way for me for the past 12 years or so, or since I’ve been involved with FUSC in one capacity or another.  Well this time it’s in the role of President of Framingham United Soccer Club.  Time to try something different!

     I told you its playoff time for me and my teams, but it’s also time to start thinking soccer for the rest of you.  The new Board of Directors has been appointed, and is already hard at work to make the upcoming spring season get off to a great start.  I would like to welcome Ross Werblin (Boys), Bill Sell (Referee), Maureen Dutile (Boosters President) and Dan Dunbrack (Equipment) to the Board, as well as thank Alex Braverman (Treasurer), Peggy Groppo (Secretary), John Camuso (Girls), DJ Szymanski (Registrar), Brian Taylor (Fields), Chuck Greenslit (Education), Geary Stacey (Tournament) and Lester Schindel (Trustee Rep) for returning to help me out.  I am excited about working with these people to provide the players of FUSC a great experience.

     I would also like to extend sincere thanks to those who are finishing their service on the board:  John Lomot as Field Director, Carlos Piaz as Boys Director, Nancy George as Boosters President, Greg Rotatori as Equipment Director,  and Frank Bagnardi as our President.  They have worked long and hard to move this club forward, and it has been a pleasure to have worked with them.  Frank, expect a call or two in the future, you’re not done yet!

     By now, I am sure you all know that Spring Registration is well under way, with rosters and teams are being worked on and finalized.  But work is also under way for our 27th annual Memorial Day Sportsmanship Tournament, coach’s selection and tryout dates, as well as multiple education clinics for both players and coaches.  All this and it’s only the beginning of February! 

     A couple of changes that will be in store for our families on “08” will be the addition of an “open” Board meeting for people with questions or concerns to ask of our members, as well as additional volumes of our popular newsletter.  We are going to be making a conscious effort to increase the lines of communication between the powers that be and our families, to better serve notice of what’s happening now, as well as in the future.  To notify every one of cancellations and schedule changes.  To just do things better.  There are a lot of things out there for our children to be involved in. We want you to choose FUSC because we do youth sports right.

    There is a tremendous amount of talent in the volunteer pool we have.  So much hard work goes on behind the scenes to make everything happen; it often is taken for granted.  It is never in my eyes.  Heartfelt thanks go out to all the team managers, assistant and head coaches, referees and car pool organizers.  You are what make this club tick.  It will be our Board's mission to find more of this talent.  To secure the future success of our club.  To find our successors who will bring new and exciting ideas for the future.   This is my plan, and I look forward to making it happen.

     Welcome to Framingham United Soccer 2008!  Have a great year, and if you see me around and the need arises, let’s chat. That’s what I’m here for.

                                                                       Sincerely,

                                                                       John Slason, President