Professionally run clubs

[Unregistered]

One sign of Oregon's problem developing a high quality soccer club is the absence of a professionally managed and run club. Though several clubs are "well run" none have a non-coaching executive director responsible for actual management of the club and development of funding sources.

I have several theories why LOSC, THUSC or FC have held back from moving in that direction but using money as an excuse misses what I think is the two big reasons, EGO's and control. Love to hear what the blogs has to say.

[Unregistered]

One sign of Oregon's problem developing a high quality soccer club is the absence of a professionally managed and run club. Though several clubs are "well run" none have a non-coaching executive director responsible for actual management of the club and development of funding sources.

I have several theories why LOSC, THUSC or FC have held back from moving in that direction but using money as an excuse misses what I think is the two big reasons, EGO's and control. Love to hear what the blogs has to say.

Are you sure that none of the clubs mentioned have this in place?

[Unregistered]

DOC's in control

Are you sure that none of the clubs mentioned have this in place?

LOSC is paying 2 DOC's six figures so there is no money left over to hire their BOSS. THUSC is run by Tom A and I doubt if anyone at FC really knows who is running the show. From the outside it looks like the Board of Directors.

[Unregistered]

FC

Been around FC for a couple of years now. Boys have a DOC and so do girls. FC also has a Executive director who is what i see as a business director.

The professional way the club is run from my perspective is FC's strongpoint. Just my humble opinion.

[Unregistered]

I can't say much about other clubs, But I was happy to see Washington Timbers go out and get a GM this last year to oversee the club and the DOC's.

[Unregistered]

I can't say much about other clubs, But I was happy to see Washington Timbers go out and get a GM this last year to oversee the club and the DOC's.

yes....this is in it's infancy but I think will prove beneficial in the long run....we all like to rip on Washington Timbers for their horrible field situation but they have made strides to better themselves with their new system of checks and balances....
Our DOC's run amuck and get to do whatever/whenever without anyone to call to....there is no accountability....

At ***C you have members that pay $1,091 for Premier, $650 for Second grade Premier and $350 for select.....it is my understanding that this pricing is tiered and is one of the cheapest around.....especially when you consider a full time paid GM and four DOC's.

They have set up a DOC for the rec side which I think is brilliant....this is where the future coaching and kids come from......too many clubs don't pay enough attention to their grassroots part of the club and that is REC. I've heard that ***C's Rec DOC is out at training sessions and games on the weekend identifying these items.

The other clubs should take note that you don't have to charge a whole hell of a lot to get some professionalism.....although at $1,091/year for premier I think that ***C should charge a bit more.

[Unregistered]

FC PDX comments

Been around FC for a couple of years now. Boys have a DOC and so do girls. FC also has a Executive director who is what i see as a business director.

The professional way the club is run from my perspective is FC's strongpoint. Just my humble opinion.

A professional club, if FC PDX were one, would not have the club president take a significant salary and do essentially nothing to earn it. The executive director is a nice guy, hired to be a fund raiser, not what he does. The bookkeeper is the executive director's wife; rather unusual is this small of an operation. There are two coaches that look after the boys and girls programs, (men's and women's titled is incorrect since that is for college, etc.). No one head coach is in place like other clubs because with the overhead and office it is not affordable. The folks in Hillsboro think that FC PDX owes $450,000 for Liberty field repairs. I'm not sure that the loan from Harry Merlo has been paid back yet. My player is now in college and was recruited through ODP, something FC PDX doesn't seem to like. I'm quite glad to be done with this organization and its "professional" approach.

[Unregistered]

A professional club, if FC PDX were one, would not have the club president take a significant salary and do essentially nothing to earn it. The executive director is a nice guy, hired to be a fund raiser, not what he does. The bookkeeper is the executive director's wife; rather unusual is this small of an operation. There are two coaches that look after the boys and girls programs, (men's and women's titled is incorrect since that is for college, etc.). No one head coach is in place like other clubs because with the overhead and office it is not affordable. The folks in Hillsboro think that FC PDX owes $450,000 for Liberty field repairs. I'm not sure that the loan from Harry Merlo has been paid back yet. My player is now in college and was recruited through ODP, something FC PDX doesn't seem to like. I'm quite glad to be done with this organization and its "professional" approach.

Sounds like you started this thread so you can point out that you think FC Portland is poorly run.

You seem to know quite a bit about the organization. I am thinking they are probably glad that you are done with the organization as well.

ODP although at one time was quite prestigeous has been diluted due to the Timbers desire to maximize revenues. If you don't believe me just take a look at the numbers of players that took for each RTC. I am not sure if any players were even cut. In the old days 75% of those players would have been cut.

[Unregistered]

Been around FC for a couple of years now. Boys have a DOC and so do girls. FC also has a Executive director who is what i see as a business director.

The professional way the club is run from my perspective is FC's strongpoint. Just my humble opinion.

FC Portland has the right infrastructure, but the wrong people running the club.

[Unregistered]

WUSC has a paid manager that is not a "professional" coach. He does coach teams from time to time, but is not the DOC

[Unregistered]

One sign of Oregon's problem developing a high quality soccer club is the absence of a professionally managed and run club. Though several clubs are "well run" none have a non-coaching executive director responsible for actual management of the club and development of funding sources.

I have several theories why LOSC, THUSC or FC have held back from moving in that direction but using money as an excuse misses what I think is the two big reasons, EGO's and control. Love to hear what the blogs has to say.

This is an odd post. Why do clubs need to pay a non-coaching person to develop funding sources and how does this make them more professionally run?

This is a silly post in general.

[Unregistered]

WUSC has a paid manager that is not a "professional" coach. He does coach teams from time to time, but is not the DOC

THUSC has had one for years as well. Most of these nutjobs have no idea and like to think it's just Tom running everything.

[Unregistered]

Been around FC for a couple of years now. Boys have a DOC and so do girls. FC also has a Executive director who is what i see as a business director.

The professional way the club is run from my perspective is FC's strongpoint. Just my humble opinion.

Is this a joke? ...and their names are? These stooges got warning signs from their now criminal coaches and did nothing about it! Weak organization!!

[Unregistered]

So, with all the clubs and DOC the real question is which club offers the most professional staffing and trainers for players> I really don't care who the DOC is I want a club that hires lots of professional coaches. Any ideas which club has the most qualified coaches? I woudl think clubs like BSC might? It's the coach especially at the younger age that makes the difference. Any idea which club has the top coaching staff?

[Unregistered]

Business director not an executive director

Been around FC for a couple of years now. Boys have a DOC and so do girls. FC also has a Executive director who is what i see as a business director.

The professional way the club is run from my perspective is FC's strongpoint. Just my humble opinion.

Unless the business director can hire and fire the DOC's that is not the level of professionalism I'm talking about. Your relationship with GS and his role is IMHO holding you back from expanding/merging and moving into the big leagues where your teams travel and compete out of state on a regular basis.