RICHMOND, Va. – (Thursday, January 3, 2018) – The Richmond Kickers are excited to announce Charlie Slagle as the Vice President for Community Engagement and Gameday Experience of the Richmond Kickers Pro Soccer Team. 

“I am excited to join the new group that will enhance the Richmond Kickers franchise,” said Slagle. “From the ownership group led by some of my former players at Davidson College, including Rob Ukrop, to Matt Spear, to Scott Sutton and the current staff, I look forward to the new Richmond Kickers and improved City Stadium.”

Most recently, Slagle served as the Tampa Bay United Soccer Club CEO starting in March 2016. He was previously the Executive Director of the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club in Denver, Co. Prior to that, Slagle was the CEO of the Capital Area Soccer League (CASL) in Raleigh, N.C. for more than 12 years. 

“Charlie's energy, infectious personality, and decades of experience are a vital step forward for our Kickers Pro organization,” commented Kickers President Matt Spear. “Charlie has directed several big, high profile clubs - most recently Tampa Bay United which also converged with a USL team, the Rowdies. His earlier club executive positions overlapped Colorado Rapids (MLS) and NCFC (USL Championship). Charlie will be an integral face of our organization and will be massive in deepening our community relations. He's a remarkable bridge builder, an ardent advocate for the civc impact of soccer and a ‘people person’ - Charlie is an encyclopedia of names and relationships. Plus, game day promotions are one of Charlie's true gifts and passions so the fan experience at City Stadium will be further ignited.”

A former Head Coach of the Davidson Wildcats for 21 years, Slagle coached the team from 1980-2000, with players who are the principals in our 22 Holdings ownership group and Team President Matt Spear. He led the team to a Final Four finish in 1992, and was named the NCAA Division I Coach of the Year that same year. He was also named the Southern Conference Coach of the Year seven times and the United Soccer Coaches Regional Coach of the Year on two occasions. In his roles at Davidson and CASL, he hosted 14 NCAA Division I College Cups and hosted the last training camp for the for the US men’s national team prior to the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups.

Slagle is a member of the North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame and the Davidson College Athletics Hall of Fame. He has served as the President of the United Soccer Coaches from January 2017 through January 2018. The United Soccer Coaches is the largest coaching association in the world with over 30,000 members. 

“The current fans and the new fans of the Kickers will see changes from now to the March 30th home opener and continuously thereafter.,” Slagle added. “It is a fun project that I am looking forward to being a part of!”

Don’t miss a moment of the inaugural 2019 USL League One season at City Stadium! Place your deposit now for 2019 Richmond Kickers Season Tickets and receive perks throughout the season including VIP Express Lane at the Craft Beer trucks and merchandise discounts. Plus, orders received by January 15, 2019 will receive a limited edition scarf! More details on 2019 Season Tickets can be found at RichmondKickers.com.