Pontiac, MI (April 27, 2010)- After 28 successful seasons of coaching men’s soccer at Oakland University, Gary Parsons retired last year and was finally eligible to become the head coach of the Michigan Bucks. Parsons was a front runner for the job to lead the Bucks inaugural season in 1996, but was not allowed to accept the role due to a conflict with coaching PDL and NCAA players at the same time. Over the Bucks successful tenure in the (United Soccer League’s USL) Premier Development League (PDL), Parsons has served as an advisor and confidant to Bucks Chairman and CEO, Dan Duggan. The Massachusetts native officially accepted Duggan’s offer last year to become the Bucks Director of Coaching and also served as assistant coach to Dan Fitzgerald. After what seemed like an eternity, Parsons finally has the opportunity to put his own stamp on the PDL powerhouse club, based out of Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac. “I have watched this team over the past decade and a half play in some of the most exciting games you can imagine at this level. In 28 years of college soccer, we never had the opportunity to play against, much less host teams from Major League Soccer (a PDL record six games/ hosted four). I was in Boston in 2000 when the Bucks beat the Revolution and I was in Laredo in 2006 when they won their first PDL championship. Those were dream seasons for this great organization and I hope to add to that storied history beginning this season,” said Parsons.
The first order of business for the new field general was to assemble a top notch team of coaches that will be responsible for molding and guiding some of the top young soccer players from all over North America. Parsons first assistant coach will be a familiar face to all Bucks fans. Dan Fitzgerald spent 2002-2005 as Bucks assistant coach before taking over the reigns as manager for the 2006-2009 seasons. Under his guidance, the Bucks had arguably their best run in team history, making it to the PDL Championship game in back to back seasons in 2006-2007 (winning in ’06 before losing in PK’s in ’07) and following that up by winning the PDL Regular Season Title in 2008. Fitzgerald also led the Bucks to US Open Cup qualifying in all three of those seasons. Added to this season’s staff is another top local “A’ licensed coach and former professional player, Andy Wagstaff. Wagstaff is the President and DOC for the Bloomfield Force Football Club, which he founded fourteen years ago. Parsons didn’t stray far from the program to select this year’s goalkeeper coach when he hired former standout Jeff Weise, who played for the Bucks between 2002-2005. Weise, Wagstaff and Fitzgerald were all outstanding college players recruited by Parsons to play for him during his tenure at Oakland University. Lastly, Parsons has added Mark Zathey to pull double duty working with the team, as well as assisting with the goal keepers. Zathey is the Technical Director for the Michigan Rush soccer club based in Northville and also holds a USSF “A” coaching license.
The Bucks open training camp with their only open try out on Saturday, May 1. They will begin their fifteenth regular season on the road in Cleveland on May 19 before coming to Ultimate Soccer Arenas for this year’s home opener against the expansion Dayton Dutch Lions on Saturday, May 22 (7:30 kickoff). Tickets for this season’s home opener are $10 Adults and $7 Youth (15 and under). Children 5 and under are always free to Bucks games. The Bucks will be announcing signings for the 2010 season, as well as some very special season ticket and season family pass offers within the next week. Keep up with all the latest Michigan Bucks news by visiting our web site at www.buckssoccer.com and sign up for the Bucks Insider for free.
BUCKS TO HOLD ONLY OPEN TRY OUT TO MAKE THE 2010 SQUAD; GUARANTEE AT LEAST ONE SIGNEE
The Michigan Bucks will be holding their only open try out to make the 2010 PDL team. This year’s trail will be held at Ultimate Soccer Arenas on Saturday, May 1 from 1:30- 3:30. All participants should be at USA and signed in by 1:00 and come prepared to compete for the full two hours. This year’s registration fee is $75 and can be paid on line at www.buckssoccer.comor paid at the time of check in. First year head coach Gary Parsons has put a twist in this year’s trials. “The past couple of seasons we have had all kinds of characters come out to claim a spot on the Bucks. While I appreciate their courage and competitive spirit, we found it necessary to increase the registration fee to limit the attendees to only those who are serious talents. This year we are guaranteeing at least one person who attends the try out will be signed to the Bucks roster. Any player being signed to the roster will have their $75 registration fee refunded, so for the real players there is no risk,” concluded Parsons. All participants must bring soccer gear, outdoor shoes (field turf), shin guards and a photo ID. For further information on tryout registration, feel free to contact Dawn Fitzgerald at the Bucks office at 248-334-7463.
