I honestly don't know where to begin to say good-bye - so I will start at the top. The ownership of Sky Blue FC is hands down the best in the league. They have withstood some very direct hits and continue to push forward. Phil Murphy is the one owner I have not got to know very well, as he is serving our country in Germany as the US Ambassador to Germany. The interactions I've had with Phil have been fantastic - always positive and supportive - he let's his people do their jobs. Phil gave a very motivational talk to us this summer when he was in the country, and I know we all appreciated it.
Thomas Hofstetter is now my friend - and I am very proud to say that. Thomas is a leader, a visionary who is one of the most positive thinking people I have met in my career. And he's a german with a great sense of humor! The thing that stands out to me the most is his loyalty - which has made this departure so difficult for me. At some level I feel like I am being dis-loyal. But I know we will work together again in the future, and I will always be tied to Sky Blue FC - for as long as they will allow me to be.
I have also been fortunate enough to get to know Steve Temares. Steve is hands down one of the smartest, fastest thinking people I have ever known. He will ask you more questions in a short period of time than anyone - and they are all good questions. There is no wasted thought from Steve - it's like there is some big master plan in his head for everything and he's steering you towards where he wants you to go. I guess that's how you build an $8 billion dollar a year company and keep it running. The funny thing is when you talk to Steve you would never know what his "real job" is - because his passion for this team is unwavering. I look forward to every opportunity I have to talk with him - because I know I will learn something - either about the business or myself.
Working with the players was absolutely the best part of the job. Except when you had to release a player. These women are all amazing athletes and amazing people. They accept the responsibility to be leaders and role models with open arms - in fact they look for additional opportunities to get out to speak to girls and spread the word. There is no way I could talk about every player here - so this is not meant to short anyone. There are a few I would like to mention:
- Christie Rampone - in 2009 with our backs up against the wall she stepped up and did the job. Later when we find out she was also pregnant just made it even better. Christie is one of those unique people who seems to get better under pressure - and she bears a lot of it. The players flock to Christie for advice, guidance, mothering - you name it - and she can't say no. Christie was always to consummate professional and I will always admire her for that.
- Heather O'Reilly (HAO) - I can not think of a single time when Heather was asked for something that she said no - not one. Her unbelievable work rate on the field is matched by her fantastic attitude off the field. No one is harder on themselves or accepts more responsibility than Heather - she is a walking role model every day for young girls, and she personifies NJ - tough, hard working, never say die and with a smile. I love watching her play.
- Kacey White - I hope my daughter - who is 20 turns out to be like Kacey! Kacey had a rough start in 2009. She rode out the tough part, worked incredibly hard every day and became a leader for this team in 2010. She is quite simply just a great person.
- Karen Bardsley - WOW - has any player burst on to the WPS scene more than Karen did last year. Everyone was talking about her, and I heard a comparison to Hope Solo made at one point. I was absolutely devastated for her when she got injured. I was in ATL at the All-Star game and spoke with her the day it happened. She was upset, but in control - even smiled a few times. She handled the injury with grace and stayed completely determined to come back better than when she left - and I believe she will. I got to know her a little better and saw her artistic side - she can really do some great stuff with a sketch pad. I also got to know her personality a bit - and she has a great sense of humor. But mostly she is a Man United supporter - enough said!
There are several other people that were instrumental over the past two years. My replacement - Gioia DiFlumeri is the best operations person in the league, hands down. She NEVER gets rattled, handles everything calmly and with a plan, and is simply nice. I hate to use that word - but it fits. She is just nice to everyone - and she gets done what she needs to get done. I have complete faith that Gioia will have a seamless transition and no one will remember who came before her. Next is Mike Milich - the ticketing guy. Mike is another calm, cool and collected character on the outside. Inside there is a fire to succeed - which is exactly what we need. But mostly he has a great sense of humor - I look forward to our continued friendship and email exchanges that often find me laughing out loud to myself. And finally there is Mr. Resolution Sports - John Archibald. John has taken our new media and communications to a new level. Huge increases in twitter followers, Facebook fans and simply a professional detail to everything we do. And this guy never sleeps....ever.
Rick Stainton is one of my favorite people. Rick personifies the word team. He never puts himself first - perhaps to a fault. Rick handled anything and everything that was thrown at him with grace, professionalism and dignity. Every team should have someone like Rick - simply because he makes all of us better people for knowing him.
When Jim Gabarra became available - aside from being surprised I felt he was someone we had to speak to immediately. When I spoke with Thomas about it he agreed. I called Jim on his cell on a Monday - he happened to be in the car and driving to NJ for a soccer camp for his son. He came into the office that afternoon. By Tuesday he was our coach and Technical Director and has been reshaping the team ever since. The past two months have been absolutely fantastic working side-by-side with Jim. Aside from being a pretty funny guy he is a true pro. He has a plan, works his plan and makes it happen. This team could not have a better leader at the helm, and I feel so confident that the coaching issues we have suffered from in the past are over. I can not wait for the season to start to see the impact the changes will have on the field - I fully expect to see Sky Blue FC on the field August 28th in the final.
There are two other women that I will miss terribly. Chris Hofstetter and Gloria Averbuch. Chris is Thomas' wife and was someone I would seek out for a reality check. She knows soccer - really knows soccer. She also knows business and I loved talking to her about everything that was going on. I see a quarterly lunch meeting in the future to make sure we stay in touch. Finally, there is Gloria - mama G, and many other names. When I first came on board Gloria was like a flash of lightning in the office - moving constantly. She knows everyone in the NJ soccer community and has a heart of pure gold. Gloria and I shared many hours of conversation, commiseration, strategizing, and laughing. I know I was probably the hardest on Gloria because she was a grown-up and could handle it - but sometimes I was wrong. I love Gloria - she was the heart and soul of Sky Blue and I hope to continue to be considered one of her friends.
I know this is too long - but you just can't capture two years very easily. There were many other people that were part of this journey and I thank all of them for their hard work and support of Sky Blue FC. I will always bleed Sky Blue and look forward to a great future for the owners, club and players. Thank you for giving me the honor to hold this job.
