FeedsWe have take off: Detroit Ignition gets things started
The key was inserted, turned at full force and ‘ignition’ was achieved when the Hantz Group in Southfield and the Major Indoor Soccer League officially introduced the launch of the Detroit Ignition.
The Ignition, which is to kick off its inaugural season in early November at its home at the Compuware Sports Arena in Plymouth Township, unveiled its logo, revealed its number-one college draft pick and introduced the head coach at a press extravaganza last Wednesday at the Westin Southfield-Detroit in Southfield.
The indoor soccer team will land in the backyards of some of the biggest soccer communities in southeast Michigan, including Canton, Plymouth and Northville.
“We’re excited to get this going,” said Greg Bibb, President of Hantz Group subsidiary Hantz Sports and Entertainment.
After an exhaustive search, Bibb decided that long-time player and coach Mark Pulisic would be named the first head coach of the organization. He was hired months ago but introduced at the conference.
“One, he has a lot of experience as a player,” Bibb said of Pulisic. “Two, he coached start-up programs and was an assistant coach in the United Soccer Leagues second division. He separated himself from the group by successfully communicating his strategy on how to translate a Major Indoor Soccer League expansion club into a winning soccer team.”
Pulisic’s playing career spanned eight seasons (1991-99), all of which he spent with the now-defunct Harrisburg Heat. He reached the 100-point mark three times in his career. With 296 goals and 689 points, he retired as the franchise’s all-time leading scorer and earned a spot in the team’s Hall of Fame. He was also an All-Rookie selection in 1991-92 and an All-Star pick in 1997.
His coaching record is just as impressive.
Pulisic, 37, was named head coach of the inaugural men’s soccer program at Lebanon Valley College (Lebanon, PA) in 1993, and assumed the same role for the school’s first women’s team in 1996. Both squads, built by Pulisic from the ground up, were ranked nationally during his 12-year tenure. He was named the Commonwealth Conference Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year in 2000, and earned Women’s Coach of the Year Honors in 2001 and 2003.
In 2003 and 2004, Pulisic served as an assistant coach for the Harrisburg City Islanders of the outdoor United Soccer Leagues’ Second Division.
Since the end of last August, Pulisic has been continuing his coaching education in England, and will return to the U.S. with the prestigious UEFA “A,” USSF “A,” and European “A” coaching licenses.
“I’m excited to be here in Detroit and start a team from scratch,” Pulisic said. “The Hantz Group has been wonderful, they’re sending a great message for indoor soccer. I’m excited to get to work with Greg (Bibb). He’s putting a lot of trust in me. We’re going to work together and win.”
The first joint decision the two made together was selecting University of Michigan grad Ryan Alexander as the team’s first pick in the college draft.
Alexander led the Wolverines in scoring in his senior campaign in 2005, posting four goals and 11 points in 17 games. The 6-1, 185-pound forward played his freshman and sophomore years at Wake Forest, where he totaled nine goals and 29 points in 38 contests.
Alexander is a native of Southfield and a product of the University of Detroit Jesuit High School, where in 2001 he was named a Parade All-American and dubbed “Mr. Soccer” for the State of Michigan.
“He’s big and athletic and plays well with his back to goal, which will translate well in indoor soccer,” Bibb said. “The fact that he was a local kid was icing on the cake. But it was his athleticism and ability to play that made him worthy of the number-one pick.”
“He was a good college player,” Pulisic added. “He should adapt well to the indoor game if he comes in with the right attitude.”
Detroit used their first numerical pick on midfielder Yohann Mauger from the University of Akron. With its second-round pick, the Ignition selected forward Chris Edwards out of Oakland University. Defender John Mariscalco, from Butler University, was Detroit’s third-round pick.
Although excitement ran wild through the organization and those involved, Pulisic expects some rough waters when starting a team from scratch.
“There will definitely be bumps in the road,” he said. “You just have to take your team, which won’t be the best talent, but will be a group that will work hard.
“I’m excited,” he added. “What I think I bring to the table is hard work and an organized team that will play hard.”
The Ignition will kick off their season on a undisclosed date in early November and play against teams like the Chicago Storm, Milwaukee Wave, Philadelphia Kixx, Baltimore Blast, St. Lois Streamers, Kansas City Comet and California Cougars.
Ticket prices at Compuware will range from $22-$40 per game or from $340-$1,360 for season tickets for 15 home games and two playoff games.
For more information on the Detroit Ignition go to www.detroitignition.com.
