Karns Returns to Lead Bucks Front Office
Two Bucks Lead OSU to NCAA Final Four
Pontiac, MI (December 14, 2007) – When the Michigan Bucks return for pre-season camp in May, few will recognize the new face now working in the front office. Kyle Karns has been hired by the Michigan Bucks as the new President of Business Operations. Karns interned with the minor league soccer team during their 2003 and 2004 seasons as Director of Operations. During those seasons Kyle also took an active role in MLS Detroit, a local grass roots campaign organized to help bring a Major League Soccer franchise to Detroit.
Karns has spent the past two seasons as Manager of Community Relations for the Detroit Ignition, a member of the Major Indoor Soccer League. He will continue to use the same expertise for the Bucks that he honed with the Ignition; designing an extensive community outreach program that takes itself far beyond the soccer specific community.
“I am very excited to return to the Michigan Bucks soccer organization and fortunate to come into a great situation with the most successful Premier Development League (PDL) franchise in history. Dan Duggan has always had a great business plan, and I am happy to be a part of that once again,” stated the Redford resident.
As the new President of Business Operations, Karns will manage many of the upcoming projects that the Michigan Bucks have had in the works since the season ended in August following the Bucks second consecutive trip to the North American finals. “It is nice to have someone that is familiar with the organization return and take on such an important role. The Bucks will be making several major announcements after the holidays, so the timing of having Kyle take control of the team is ideal. I have a great deal of confidence that Kyle can take this organization an even higher level than we are at today,” said Dan Duggan, owner of the Michigan Bucks.
To follow the Bucks off season press releases, please visit the Michigan Bucks website at buckssoccer.com. The Bucks will be releasing the 2008 schedule, as well as player signings and information on their new home for the upcoming season within the next several weeks.
TWO BUCKS LEAD OHIO STATE TO FINAL FOUR THIS WEEKEND
The Ohio State Buckeyes have landed a place in the Men’s College Cup Final Four this weekend on the strength of two of this past summer’s Bucks players. Solid defender Eric Brunner helped anchor a Bucks back line that carried the Michigan team to the title game in Laredo, Texas last August. He has continued his stellar play with the Buckeyes this fall in Columbus. While most Major League Soccer (MLS) scouts are in awe of his defensive skills, it was Brunner’s free kick taking that helped push his team into the Final Four in Cary, NC tonight. The 6’6” Brunner scored on two free kicks in the 4-0 defeat of Bradley, eliminating the Braves and Bucks teammates Joe Donoho and Steve Brust in the process. Big Ten Player of the Year Xavier Balc is no surprise when he stands over the ball, as he has been noted as one of the best free kick specialists in the country this year. Balc’s lethal left foot has led to an incredible amount of goals from corner kicks and restarts all year long. The Buckeyes will have to get past Massachusetts on Friday night in order to make their first ever appearance in the NCAA championship match on Sunday. Balc would like nothing more than to finish his college career with a title, after having his controversial PK disallowed in the Bucks championship match that would have given Michigan back to back consecutive titles in the PDL. Both college seniors are slated to be drafted in Major League Soccer’s SuperDraft on January 18, with many experts predicting they will both go in the first round.
