Incumbents re-elected to US Club Soccer Board of Directors

(Via US Club Soccer) – Shannon Cirovski (Eastern Region), K.C. Crabb (Southern Region), Eddie Henderson (Western Region) and Mike Sweeney (Midwest Region) have all been re-elected to the US Club Soccer Board of Directors. The four Regional Board Directors continue their service with new three-year terms through February 28, 2022.

In addition, four experienced coaches have been appointed to At-Large Director positions: Simon Davey, Shannon Mac Millan, Hue Menzies and Colette Montgomery. Davey is a new appointee, while the other three remain on the board in this role. These are one-year terms voted on by the Board of Directors, which carry through Feb. 28, 2020.

US Club Soccer bylaws stipulate that only individuals with significant, competitive soccer experience can qualify for a board seat. Members must have at least five years of coaching experience at a competitive level and at least a U.S. Soccer “B” coaching license or its international equivalent.

This year’s election was a clean sweep for incumbents. Cirovski had been an At-Large Director before being elevated to Regional Board Director in January 2018, when Mike Cullina vacated his Regional Board Director position to become Chairman.

Crabb and Henderson were also elected to serve a second term on the board. Sweeney is the most experienced member of the US Club Soccer Board of Directors, having served for more than 15 years in the volunteer role.

The Board of Directors is currently comprised of 14 members, as follows (with term expirations in parentheses):

• Chairman: Mike Cullina (2021)
• Immediate Past Chairman: Phil Wright
• Regional Board Directors – Eastern Region: Shannon Cirovski (2022), Jason Dewhurst (2021)
• Regional Board Directors – Midwest Region: Mike Sweeney (2022), Tim Lesiak (2021)
• Regional Board Directors – Southern Region: K.C. Crabb (2022), Gary Buete (2021)
• Regional Board Directors – Western Region: Eddie Henderson (2022), Shawn Blakeman (2021)
• At-Large Directors: Simon Davey, Hue Menzies, Shannon Mac Millan, Colette Montgomery (annual terms)

John Rennie, a long-time US Club Soccer Board of Directors member who most recently served a consecutive term as an At-Large Director, has concurrently announced his retirement from the board. Rennie achieved astounding success as a 29-year head men’s soccer coach at Duke University. He led the Blue Devils to five College Cups and the 1986 NCAA Division I national championship. Rennie co-founded the Triangle Soccer Academy in 1998, which later became Triangle FC. He is a former member of the U.S. Soccer Federation national coaching staff, and he also organized and served as the first chairman of the NCAA Division I Soccer Coaches Committee.

Eastern Region – Shannon Cirovski:

Cirovski, the Director of Coaching for Bethesda SC (Md.), was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2002. She was a midfielder for the U.S. Women’s National Team, earning 51 caps from 1987-91, and she assisted on both goals of the team’s 1991 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final triumph. Cirovski had head coaching stints with George Washington University, University of Maryland and the U.S. U-18 WNT.

“I am honored to continue serving US Club Soccer and advancing its mission of creating the best environment for the growth of soccer in the United States,” Cirovski said. “I am proud of US Club Soccer and its commitment to Players First programming and the quality soccer people we have involved at the Board level.”

Southern Region – K.C. Crabb:

Crabb is the Girls Director of Coaching for Lonestar SC in Austin, Texas. He has more than 20 years of club coaching experience and 10 years of collegiate coaching experience. Crabb has also served as a coaching course instructor in Texas. He holds a U.S. Soccer Federation “A” license.

“I am very excited to serve a second term on the US Club Soccer Board of Directors. I believe we are doing some very important work to help US Club continue to thrive as the top youth soccer organization in the country,” Crabb said. “I was running against some very highly qualified candidates, and I am thankful to both of them for running to make our organization the best it can be. I would like to express my appreciation to Lonestar Soccer Club for supporting me during the election, and giving me the time it takes to represent the region in such an important position. I would also like to personally thank all the clubs that voted for my appointment, and I will continue to represent your interests to the best of my ability. Finally, I ran for this position two years ago to represent every club in the region, and I will continue to do so for the remainder of my term.”

Midwest Region – Mike Sweeney:

Sweeney, the founder and director of Cleveland Whitecaps SC (Ohio), retains his long-time position on the US Club Soccer Board of Directors. During his 15-year professional playing career, he earned more than 100 caps with the Canadian National Team, including appearances during the 1984 Olympics and 1986 World Cup Finals.

“It is a genuine pleasure and an honor to be able to continue to represent clubs, directors and coaches looking to improve the environment for their young athletes,” Sweeney said. “I appreciate the support as confirmation we are making a positive impact for premier clubs. Soccer decisions made by soccer people has truly been our motto since day one, and through the hard work of many dedicated people, we have become the place for elite clubs and players to aspire to. Thank you for the opportunity to stay involved.”

Western Region – Eddie Henderson:

Henderson, the Technical Director of ISC Gunners (Wash.), has about 20 years of coaching experience, including roles as director of coaching, head coach and scout. He frequents id2 Training Camps as a staff coach, including the 2019 id2 National Selection International Tour as Head of Delegation. He played professionally in the NPSL, APSL and MSL from 1988 to 1999. Prior to that, he appeared on the U-17, U-18 and U-20 U.S. Soccer youth national teams, including the 1987 U-20 World Cup.

“I am honored and excited to be a part of the Board of Directors for another term,” Henderson said. “I look forward to continuing the work on many of the new projects that we have started, and I am looking forward to the new projects we will take on in the future to keep the organization growing.”

At-Large Director – Simon Davey:

Davey, the Executive Director of Southern Soccer Academy (Ga.), has 25 years of experience in professional soccer. He formerly played for Swansea City, Preston North End and Carlisle United. As a UEFA Pro License holder, Davey was the head coach at Barnsley FC, Darlington FC and Hereford United FC. With Barnsley FC, he led the team to the FA Cup semifinal, defeating Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC on the way.

“It is an honor to be appointed to the US Club Soccer Board of Directors as an At-Large Director,” Davey said. “I look forward to supporting the organization in helping to further cultivate the development and growth of soccer clubs throughout the United States.”

At-Large Director – Shannon Mac Millan:

Mac Millan is the Executive Director of DMCV Sharks (Calif.) and FIFA Women’s World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist. In 2002, she was named U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year. Mac Millan, now serving her second term as At-Large Director on the US Club Soccer Board of Directors, is a Hall of Fame inductee at U.S. Soccer, University of Portland and West Coast Conference.

“I am excited and honored to be re-appointed to the board,” said Mac Millan. “I am grateful for the continued opportunity to work alongside the rest of these great board members to help keep the development of players of all ages and levels at the forefront.”

At-Large Director – Colette Montgomery:

Montgomery is serving her second term as At-Large Director. She is a licensed U.S. Soccer Grassroots Instructor and the Director of Coaching for Edina SC and Edina Soccer Association (Minn.). A student of the game, Montgomery has obtained 10 certificates and diplomas with the United Soccer Coaches. She played and studied at the National Women’s Football Academy in her native country of England.

“I am honored for the re-appointment to the US Club Board of Directors,” said Montgomery. “I am looking forward to a great year ahead for the staff, board and membership of US Club Soccer, as we continue to fulfill the goals of the organization.”

At-Large Director – Hue Menzies:

Menzies, the Executive Director of Florida Kraze Krush, brings more than 30 years of coaching experience to the US Club Soccer Board of Directors. He is the Technical Director of the Jamaica WNT and a member of the CONCACAF Study group. Menzies has led the Jamaica WNT to its first-ever berth in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, of which the 2019 tournament is taking place this summer in France. Before moving to Florida, Menzies was one of the founders of the Lonestar Soccer Association (Texas) and Director of Coaching for the Warrior Soccer Association (Texas).

“I would like to thank Mike Cullina and members of the board in reinstating me to serve for another year,” Menzies said. “I do feel that US Club Soccer is one of the major driving forces in the next phase of youth development. Being on a board with people that are currently in the trenches of youth development produces efficient decisions and directive for the growth of the game. I look forward for a more impactful year.”