GM blog: Divisional alignment, scheduling

INDIANAPOLIS — We left off at the end of 2018 wrapping up the first full year of the Old Bhoys. January has not been slow at HQ, and as the second half of the month comes into focus things are starting to crystallize. With the first player evaluations completed, the club has secured a venue for an invite-only session in February. This, along with our ongoing conversations with local collegiate coaches will help round out our roster as we pursue the second season of the UPSL in the Midwest. Summary offers have been made, and roster build out is underway. The goal at HQ is to have outlined everyone the club wants to have in place agreed to terms by early March. And by terms, these are player agreements that allow every player at our club to retain their amateur status. In providing a platform for local players — including current collegiate athletes — maintaining compliance with the NCAA and NAIA is a must. As we confirm player signings, stay tuned to Twitter and our website (as well as Soc Takes’). I’m excited to bring this club a positive result in 2019, as well as our first club victory in league play.

Speaking of league play, the Old Bhoys have confirmed their commitment to compete in the UPSL for 2019 spring season. Dues have been paid, and planning (i.e. scheduling) is ongoing.  As part of the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Chicago, the UPSL held their Midwest Conference summit. Old Bhoys Soccer Club was represented by its head coach, who in addition to almost 25 other clubs (!), listened to league sponsorship updates and general league happenings before getting down to Midwest Conference-specific concerns. For 2019, the teams in the Midwest will compete in a single-tier format, with intra-conference promotion and relegation to be implemented for the 2020 spring season. Divisions also took shape within the conference, and it’s a new cast of characters for the Old Bhoys’ opponents this year.

In 2019, the Old Bhoys’ UPSL slate will include the following squads, starting with the returning UPSL clubs:

• RWB Adria – Founded in 1959, Adria is a former national amateur champion and finished 2018 as the Central Division champion with 22 points in 10 matches.
• Joliet United – Hailing from the suburbs of Chicago, Joliet United returns to the UPSL after their inaugural season in 2018. Finishing a rough first season in the Central Division, Joliet is looking to build long term and will pose a steady and able competitor for your Old Bhoys.
• St. Louis Maritsa – Missouri’s only UPSL side has proven their mettle, with an ongoing run to qualify for the U.S. Open Cup continuing in April traveling to Texas for their fourth-round qualifying match. Finishing second — with some controversy — in the former West Division, Maritsa is legit and will challenge for the Midwest Conference playoff spot from our division.
• FC Diablos (Illinois) – A new club to the UPSL for 2019, the FC Diablos will compete in the South Division. Based in Bloomington-Normal, Ill., this should create a potential I-74 derby with your Bhoys from the Circle City.
• Springfield FC – The second new club for the UPSL’s spring season, Springfield FC hails from their club namesake town in Illinois. Formed in 2011, this will be Springfield FC’s first season in this competition.

What a difference a year makes. The longest away match will be St. Louis, with every other club within 3.5 hours.

Scheduling is underway among clubs and should be finalized by the first bit of February. Season ticket pricing will be announced soon, as well as single-game pricing. Our aim is to build a special atmosphere at our home venue. While we haven’t come to terms with any specific venue, this is an ongoing process. Regardless of where we call home for 2019, we (the club) want to connect with any and every supporter possible. Again, this club is a reflection of the community and is built by its soccer infrastructure. From local colleges, youth clubs or local men’s leagues, the Old Bhoys continued aim is to create a platform for local players and supporters to connect. Can’t wait to do that with everyone this season!

In addition to the work that goes into the on-the-pitch product, Old Bhoys HQ is continuing to work on its sponsorship base and is looking for ways to actively engage with local organizations to help grow community through sport. As mentioned in my last post on this page, the primary — and most immediate — need currently is to secure primary and secondary sponsors to fully incorporate on our kit and to support the operational forecast for the club. It continues to be the least glamorous part of lower-league soccer, but it’s extremely crucial and is more directly tied to the ability of the club to function as we aim to strengthen the local businesses and organizations that support Indianapolis and Indiana. If you want your company logo on our gear, or believe in what we’re trying to accomplish at Old Bhoys, drop us a line. We’d love to be able to give back in a relevant and meaningful way that raises interest in your organization as it does ours. The benefit of working at this level is that we can frankly customize any approach. If you have an idea for getting your organization’s name out in the community, let’s talk! I bet we can collaboratively find a way.

Like what you’re reading? Let the good folks at Soc Takes know, or drop me a line: andyhayes1980@gmail.com. Look forward to hearing from you! As always, COYOB!

Follow Andy on Twitter: @Andy_H_1980.

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