DAVID GRIMALDI NAMED MISL DIRECTOR OF SOCCER OPERATIONS

Cleveland Force legend and former captain joins League front office

(Westport, Conn., September 11, 2002) – The Major Indoor Soccer League has named former Cleveland Force defender and captain David Grimaldi as Director of Soccer Operations. Grimaldi will report to Commissioner Steve Ryan and will be responsible for all soccer operations, including player contracts, discipline, scheduling, and League drafts. He will also supervise MISL referees in conjunction with Director of Officials Herb Silva and will serve on the League’s Competition Committee. The Virginia native replaces former MISL Vice President of Soccer Operations Brian Fleming who has made a family decision to return to his hometown of San Diego.

“David brings a strong management background as well as a sound understanding of the game of soccer to the MISL,” Commissioner Steve Ryan stated. “He has been viewed as a consummate leader from his playing days with the Cleveland Force to his work experience with blue-chip corporations such as American Express, Continental Airlines and Federal Express. We are going to miss Brian’s soccer expertise and dedication to the MISL, but feel David possesses the skills set to continue to build upon the foundation Brian has established in the soccer operations department.”

Grimaldi comes to the MISL from American Express Company where he served as the Multinational Account Development Manager. In that role, the father of two oversaw the company’s Global Purchasing Card relationship with IBM. Prior to his involvement with American Express, Grimaldi spent 10 years with Federal Express Corporation. At Fedex, he rose to Senior Manager where he was responsible for a wide variety of areas including customer service, sales and operations.

The 47-year old Grimaldi has also held management positions with Harbor Commuter Service, Inc. and Continental Airlines. While at Harbor Commuter Service, Inc., Grimaldi served as the General Manager of metropolitan New York’s largest ferry service. At Continental, he managed the daily administration of the nation’s 10^th largest airport hub operation. Prior to entering the corporate world, Grimaldi enjoyed a standout professional soccer career.

A fourth-round selection by the Dallas Tornadoes in the 1977 North American Soccer League (NASL) Draft, Grimaldi followed a standout collegiate career at Rutgers University with a six-year professional career in both the NASL and the original Major Indoor Soccer League.

A 1978 graduate of Rutgers, Grimaldi was awarded with the school’s 1977 Alfred B. Sasser Award for his leadership, spirit and loyalty to the Scarlet Knights and had his jersey retired by the University in 1993. In 1976, Grimaldi represented the United States on the U.S. Olympic Soccer Team.

The Major Indoor Soccer League is a single-entity organization featuring a coast-to-coast presence with eight teams located across the United States. The MISL is the single major league of indoor soccer and will open its 2002-03 season on Saturday, September 28. For more information on the MISL, visit the League’s website at www.MISL.net.

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