Builders
Vincent Baldino
New Jersey Wildcats, 1996-present
One of the original owners of the Wildcats, Baldino has overseen his clubÆs turnaround over the past few years that culminated in two straight finals appearances and the 2005 W-League championship.
Jim DeDeus
New Hampshire Phantoms, 1996-present
DeDeus is one of the founding owners of the Phantoms, who have been a staple in the USL Second Division since the clubÆs inception. DeDeus has also served on the leagueÆs Executive Committee. Under his guidance, the team has finished .500 or better eight times in 10 years.
Steve Donner, Frank DuRoss & Chris Economides
Rochester Raging Rhinos, 1996-present
The Rhinos ownership trio founded the team in the then independent A-League and quickly turned the franchise into a juggernaut in the minor league sports industry. The club was a league-leader in attendance from 1996-2004 and was named one of the Top Five Minor League Sports Franchises by Street & SmithÆs Sports Business Journal. Their success at the gate is matched by the teamsÆ three league titles and the 1999 US Open Cup title in which they defeated three MLS teams en route to the historic championship.
Jim & Dan Duggan
Michigan Bucks, 1996-present
The Duggan brothers have been a mainstay in the Michigan soccer world, beginning with their involvement in the 1994 FIFA World Cup in Detroit. The pair founded the Bucks, then known as Mid Michigan, in 1996 and have gone on to build one of the most storied amateur franchises in the nation by virtue of their success in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, which included the first ever amateur win over an MLS side in 2000. Jim Duggan has also been a long-time member of the PDL Executive Committee.
Chris & Stephanie Keenan
Kalamazoo Kingdom, 1996-present
The Keenans helped found the team and have gone on to make the Kingdom more than just the local soccer team, opening an indoor center for the community as well. They have also had a heavy hand in the development of the youth program in the area. The club hosted the 1998 PDL championship tournament.
Cookie Ketcham & Bobby Lennon
Richmond Kickers, 1993-96 û Palm Beach Pumas, 2000-present
Ketcham and Lennon founded the Kickers in 1993 and helped lead the team to the æDouble,Æ winning the PDL and US Open Cup titles in 1995. The pair sold the franchise after the 1996 season but returned in 2000 in Palm Beach, where they started the Pumas.
Jill McCabe
Rochester Ravens, 1996-present
One of the founding owners of the team, McCabeÆs Ravens were one of the top teams in the early years, playing host to the W-League championship in 1997. McCabe also served on the leagueÆs Executive Committee.
Shawn McDonald
Virginia Beach Mariners, 1994-96, 98-00, 02-present
McDonald began with the Hampton Roads Hurricanes in 1994 as assistant coach, and was named general manager of the newly-named Mariners the following year. McDonald has been a mainstay of the franchise since that point despite several ownership changes.