skip navigation

USASA Welcomes Its New Executive Committee Members!

By Admin, 03/17/10, 2:30PM CDT

Share

Back in February, USASA elections took place at the National Council Meeting held in conjunction with the U.S. Soccer Annual General Meeting in New Orleans. The US Adult Soccer Association is pleased to introduce the following five individuals who are now part of the USASA Executive Committee.  For more than a decade, these leaders have given their time and effort to the game. They also enjoy being part of the large world of adult soccer that is USASA.

We did a Q&A with each member to get the scoop on their experience with USASA.

 

Fritz T. Marth
Region I Director

Fritz has been involved with soccer his entire life.  He grew up in a soccer family in northern New Jersey, and while he was still in a stroller his parents would take him along on Sunday’s as they went to watch their club, Hoboken FC 1912.  Mr. Marth started playing soccer at age eight. During high school he became a referee and remained active throughout college.  In the fall of 1990, he became a Trustee of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League, a Director of Hoboken FC 1912, and the Manager/Coach of one of its Bergen Kickers Men’s Amateur teams. He was the team’s Manager for 13 years during which time they won three divisional championships. 

 

How many years have you been involved with USASA?
10 years in official positions, but I’ve actually been around longer than that.

How did you first hear about USASA?
When USASA was first formed as the Senior Division of the United States Soccer Federation, my father was hired as its first Administrator.

Why did you decide to join the Executive Committee?
I felt that my ideas and experience would be an asset to the Committee and USASA as a whole.

And your previous USASA title was?
I was the Deputy Director of Region I and before that Region I National Cups Commissioner.

What are your future plans for the new position you were elected?
My plans are: 1) continue to guide Region I in doing what we do well and improving on those things that we make even better; and 2) help guide USASA through this period of change and transition while making sure we don’t lose focus on our current and on-going programs.

What other soccer position(s) you currently hold with USASA?
Chairman of the Insurance Committee.

Which has been your favorite experience within the USASA? And so far as a member of the Executive Committee?
I’ve really enjoyed most all of my experiences as part of USASA.  I met my wife through USASA, so I’d have to say that has probably been the best experience.  Other than that, some of the best experiences that I’ve had were as Regional Cups Commissioner.  Most of the time in that position you’re listening to complaints and protests, sometimes people call you at home just to yell at you; but, every once in a while someone will come up to you after a game and say something like: "thanks, we really enjoyed the competition, you’ve really done a good job."  That’s a great experience and makes it all worthwhile. 

What do you like to do in your free time or when you aren’t doing soccer-related stuff?
I have a six year old daughter and a wife with a big family and they keep me pretty busy.  I’m also a member of the alumni advisory board of my college fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, at Drexel University.

Explain about your full-time career?
I am a civil engineer specializing in construction delay claims consulting.  I get hired to figure out why construction projects took longer, and cost more money, than originally planned.  I usually work for attorneys and spend a lot of time writing reports and some time helping negotiate settlements or testifying in court.

Anything else you would like to add?
Despite the politicking, headaches, and general nonsense that sometimes occur at almost all levels of the game, to me the soccer community, and especially USASA, has always felt like my extended family.  One of the greatest things about this game, and the organizations associated with it, is that it has a way of breaking down all sorts of barriers - languages, cultures, you name it - and that’s what makes it great.

 

Rob LaVielle
Region III Director

How many years have you been involved with USASA?
Over 10 years directly involved with USASA, I have played organized Adult Soccer for over 25 years.

How did you first hear about USASA?
As a director with the Florida State Soccer Association.

Why did you decide to join the Executive Committee?
After our USASA Summit it was clear that there was a need to move USASA in a new and better direction.  I want to be part of that Road Map to make us a stronger and more vibrant organization.

And your previous USASA title was?
I was the Florida State Soccer Association President for six years, and held regional committee positions for the Budget Committee & Select/Elite Player Program.

What are your future plans for the new position you were elected? 
To inform and assure a two-way communication with my Region III co-members.  To follow the Summit Road Map to insure USASA success and growth.  To contribute through leadership to USASA.

What other soccer position(s) you currently hold with USASA?
Over 40 player. 
Past President, Florida State Soccer Association.
Sponsorship Task Force Committee Liaison.

Which has been your favorite experience within the USASA? And so far as a member of the Executive Committee?
Camaraderie and friendship with passionate soccer fanatics like me from all over the United States. As a member of the Executive Committee, I enjoy idea sharing of best practices that can be brought back to my State and Region.

What do you like to do in your free time or when you aren’t doing soccer-related stuff?
What free time?  I am also a Vice President/Director of Competitive Programs of a local youth club in Tampa, RSL Florida, as well as a coach for U11 Boys and U14 Girls.

Explain about your full-time career?
I’m a Sales Director for Higher Education in Florida.  I work for AT&T and run a sales team of 9 that work with all the Colleges & Universities in Florida.  We grow and manage Core Wireline and Mobility service and products in partnership with our clients.

Shonna Schroedl
Secretary

How many years have you been involved with USASA?
I have been Vice President for Oregon Adult Soccer Association for 17 years.

How did you first hear about USASA?
I first heard about USASA when I participated in National Cups when I was 20 (1983).  We were required to get ID cards.  That was a completely new thing for us, as our state association did not require them at the time.

Why did you decide to join the Executive Committee?
I decided to run for USASA Secretary this year when I became aware that Valerie Blanchenay would not seek re-election.  After discussion with several key individuals, I decided to run.

And your previous USASA title was?
Region IV representative on the Budget Committee, Midyear Meeting Committee and Select Teams Committee

What are your future plans for the new position you were elected?
My plans in this position include working with the Executive Committee and other leaders to move USASA forward in meeting the goals outlined from the summit process.

Which has been your favorite experience within the USASA? And so far as a member of the Executive Committee?
My favorite experience within the USASA was working on the first Soccer Festival in San Antonio.  It was a huge learning experience, very hard work, long days, and great fun. I have only been on the Executive Committee for a few weeks, but I am looking forward to many interesting experiences in the next two years.

What do you like to do in your free time or when you aren’t doing soccer-related stuff?
In my free time outside of soccer, I enjoy spending time with my husband and children.  We like to ski and snowboard, go to the beach, and travel to fun places.

Explain about your full-time career?
In my current day job, I am Director of Meeting Planning for VeriLAN Event Services. We support large technical meetings around the world.  

 

Tony Flacone
Region I Deputy Director

Tony began his administrative career early while still in high school. During his senior year, he organized and won approval for an intramural indoor soccer league, followed by the arrangement of a summer team made up of his high school mates. Tony has served the Maryland State Soccer Association (MSSA) for more than twenty years as League Commissioner, Delegate-at-Large and President from 1988 to 1995 and from 1998 to date.

How many years have you been involved with USASA?
I Became involved with USASA in 1988 when I was elected president of the Maryland State Soccer Association.

How did you first hear about USASA?
As a player, finding out that my league was affiliated with MSSA and the then known name of US Senior Soccer.

Why did you decide to join the Executive Committee?
I’ve been involved with USASA at different levels: state president, committees, cups and as Region I Treasurer.  I felt that this next step would give me the opportunity to contribute more to the organization.

And your previous USASA title was?
Treasurer, Region I.

What are your future plans for the new position you were elected? 
To do my part in helping make our programs better and growing our national association. 

What other soccer position(s) you currently hold with USASA?
President of the Maryland State Soccer Association and Director of the U23 Tournament for Region I.

Which has been your favorite experience within the USASA? And so far as a member of the Executive Committee?
Meeting all of the people that I have become friends with over the years.  Give me some more time with the Executive Committee to answer the second part.

What do you like to do in your free time or when you aren’t doing soccer-related stuff?
Playing soccer is number one of course.  I enjoy cooking and there is always repair work to do around the house. 

Explain about your full-time career?
I have a small general law practice. I was a Judge Advocate with the US Army that took me to exciting locations like Brooklyn, NY and the Republic of Korea before allowing me to return to my home city of Washington, D.C.

 Anything else you would like to add?
Looking forward to continuing this journey I have had with USASA and the game of soccer.

Ian William “Bill” Davey
Region II Deputy Director

Born in Newcastle, England, Bill Davey has been passionate about soccer and served as a USSF Referee for more than three decades. Bill has refereed in various Indoor Professional Leagues such as MISL, NPSL, and MSL for over 20 years. He has been a USSF Licensed Instructor, Assessor and Assignor since 1988 to present. He founded the Air Capital Soccer Association in 1984 and its Scholarship Foundation in 1987.  Bill served as President of Kansas Soccer Association from 1988 to 1992.

How many years have you been involved with USASA?
It has been pretty close to 30 years or more. I have been involved as a player; league, State and Regional administrator.

How did you first hear about USASA?
Really didn’t know who they were as a player. I knew of them for the first time when I got involved in the State Association.

Why did you decide to join the Executive Committee?
I was a bit involved as the Regional Treasurer.  When the Summit came up, I decided I might be able to lend some of my business background to the success of the Summit proposals.

And your previous USASA title was?
Region 2 Treasurer

What are your future plans for the new position you were elected? 
Try to add as much value to the Program as I can.  It is a very exciting time for USASA and I am happy to be a part of that future.

What other soccer position(s) you currently hold with USASA?
With USASA I am also the State Registrar and on the IT Task Force Committee.

Which has been your favorite experience within the USASA? And so far as a member of the Executive Committee?
Difficult to put a finger on the Executive Committee part of the question, but working with the Summit Committees will be a great experience.  With USASA in general, I love attending the Regional and National Cup events. They are such great games, as good as most professional games.

What do you like to do in your free time or when you aren’t doing soccer-related stuff?
What free time? I am so involved with the game, I have very little.  When I have spare time, I love watching my 5 year-old granddaughter play in the small sided games, a future National Team Player, I am sure of that!  Golf is also one of my passions.

Explain about your full-time career?
I am a retired engineer from AT & T.  I now do full time soccer volunteer work.

Anything else you would like to add?
That about sums it up, however I am looking forward to my new role in USASA with great enthusiasm.