Author: Scott Adamson

The right man is on the job for Greenville FC

By Scott Adamson
Adamsonmedia.com

When it comes to soccer, Greenville FC head coach Lee Squires was a quick study right from the start.

A native of Sheffield, England, Squires decided to come stateside to play the game collegiately. By the time he was done at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina, he was the leading scorer (67 goals) in school history.

He was also a three-time All-American and twice named Conference Carolinas Player of the Year.

After competing in the Premier Development League, he returned to LMC as a 23-year-old coach, and in four seasons guided the Bobcats to a 40-29-7 record.

But it was after he moved on to Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina, when he hit his stride as a mentor.

Just three seasons into his career there, Squires has compiled a 41-11-6 worksheet. Aside from the impressive record, his resume includes three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, two Peach Belt Conference championships and he has been named the PBC Coach of the Year for two seasons in a row.

After the Bearcats’ 2017 campaign, which also included a title in the PBC tourney, Squires could’ve spent this summer taking a break.

He didn’t.

Instead, he’s breaking in new players comprising a new team, as Greenville FC preps for its inaugural season in the National Premier Soccer League.

The expansion club opens at the Georgia (Hampton) Revolution on Friday, May 4, and plays its first home match at Stone Stadium on May 12 when Inter Nashville FC comes in for a 7 p.m. contest.

So how challenging is it to go from coaching an established college team to leading one that represents the Fourth Division of United States soccer?

“The biggest difference coaching college and NPSL, especially a team starting from scratch, is blending the team together in such a short space of time,” Squires said. “In college, you often get a number of returners but since this is our first year with GVLFC, everyone is new.  We start training May 1st, with the first game May 4th, so not much time for us to come together.  Also, we have looked to recruit the best of the college players and some high level older age players, to the standard across the board is expected to be higher.”

Squires got the first look at Greenville FC hopefuls when they played Anderson University last month in a trialist exhibition.

“I was very impressed with the number and quality of trialists,” Squires said. “The tryout sold out quickly, showing the buzz for the team in the city.  We narrowed it down from 70 to 10, to join some players currently signed with us, to compete against Anderson University the next day and it was a very close game in which we led for most of it. There’s a small handful from those 10 that have been offered a spot on the team.”

Once the team is put together, Squires will have little time to find out its personality considering the small window between training camp and opening day.

“For me, the players dictate the formation,” Squires explains. “We have to assess quickly what we have and how best to fit the pieces together.  But hopefully my preferred style of play will be evident.  I like technical players who can play with intensity and quality.  I like my teams to play attacking football and be entertaining to watch.  But again, all will be dictated by the players we have.

“There’s many ways to win a game and we have to find the way the works for us, as quickly as possible.”

As Squires mentioned, the club has already created positive buzz around town and when they start playing in front of fans they’ll already have a supporters group in the form of the Mill Town Operatives.

“It is vital to have a strong supporters group and the Mill Town Operatives have been fantastic so far,” Squires said.  “They are the heart and soul of the club and what provides the club with its identity.  They can and will play a huge role, not only at games, but in helping the club grow and spreading the word.”

The goal for the inaugural season, of course, is to put a competitive squad on the pitch and make some noise in the NPSL Southeast Conference. Greenville FC’s opponents include Asheville City FC, Atlanta Silverbacks FC, Chattanooga FC, Emerald Force (Knoxville) FC, and the New Orleans Jesters, as well as Georgia and Nashville.

Beyond that, Squires hopes to see the club grow into the best it can be while maintaining its community soccer identity.

“Promotion/relegation is a hot topic here in the U.S.” Squires said.  “It seems to work in the rest of the world, so why not here?! I think it would be great to see a city like Greenville have a pro team and earn promotion.  It’s just whether it is sustainable long term.”

Squires then laughed.

“I’m not paid to make those decisions!”

For more information about the club, including ticket information, visit www.gvlfc.com.

Blake Schultz photo/courtesy of Greenville FC
Lee Squires leads his team in a recent workout. A winning college coach, Squires is now an NPSL boss.

 

 

 

After all these years, Batman is still my hero

I’m 57, and even though I look like a much younger, less attractive man, there is no denying that I am considered by some to be “old.”

Brain Farce is an alleged humor column written by Scott Adamson. It comes out basically whenever he feels like writing it. Follow him on Twitter @adamsonsl

Those people will tell you there are certain expectations that come with my age, and that I’m too long in the tooth to be enthusiastic about things such as comic books or superheroes.

Those people can kiss my ass.

I’m still fully immersed in the world that includes web-slinging and shield-wielding. Most importantly, I’m an even bigger Batman fan today than I was as a kid, and I make no apologies for it.

It’s not just a passing admiration for the Dark Knight – though I certainly do deeply respect his quest to mete out justice in a world that has lost its way – it’s really more of a lifestyle.

I have an entire room dedicated to Batman, one that includes action figures, wall art (my favorite is a Spanish-language poster for the 1966 movie) and even a Batman soap dispenser and toothbrush.

If you ever come to my house, I’ll let you see it for a quarter. And since it’s technically a bathroom, you can use it for $10 (plus a $5 non-refundable deposit).

I also have a Batman onesie that I wear from time to time.

If you come to my Batroom, you’ll see exactly what you’d expect.

It’s very stylish, with an old style logo on the front surrounded by a bright yellow oval.

People think I’m joking when I say I’ve actually worn it to the supermarket – but when it comes to Batman, I don’t kid; it’ not just fashionable, it’s functional.

And by the looks of both patrons and the deli staff, they like it, too.

I also have a wide variety of Batman tee shirts.

One sports the logo from the recent “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and “Justice League” movies. Another is from the 2002 comic “Batman: Hush.”

I save the latter for special occasions, such as weddings and commitment ceremonies, (although I’ve been told that my obsession with The World’s Greatest Detective could lead to an entirely different commitment ceremony in the not-too-distant future).

I have a miniature Batman bust that speaks nine different lines, all more inspirational and motivational than the last.

My favorite is, “The joke’s on you, Joker.”

Damn right.

So where does this fascination come from?

My first memories of Bats date back to the campy TV series from the mid-1960s, although it wasn’t corny to me at all.

It was glorious to see Bruce Wayne and his alter ego fight colorful evildoers through the lens of a tilted camera, complete with picture words such as Boff! Splatt! and Zowie!

The show inspired me to sneak out on the porch after dark in a homemade cape and cowl, keeping my house safe from the forces of evil.

And it worked. We never got robbed once while I donned the suit, and I don’t think that’s a coincidence.

But then as I got older, I was introduced to the comics, which presented a serious crime fighter who dressed as a bat as a way to intimidate his enemies.

I was one of those kids who enjoyed playing sports, although I had to work twice as hard just to be half as good as my more athletic friends. Fantasy came easy for me, though.  I loved to read and use my imagination, and I was drawn to this dystopian world where one heroic person tried desperately make a difference.

Of course at the time I didn’t think of Gotham City as dystopian because I didn’t know what the word meant. But whatever it was, I liked it.

And unlike other “superheroes,” it was conceivable I could actually be Batman.

Superman was an alien from the planet Krypton.

I was an Alabamian from the planet Earth.

Spider-Man seemed too far-fetched because the odds of being bitten by a radioactive spider are astronomical. I have been bitten by several spiders, but all of my attempts to crawl on walls have ended in embarrassment and minor injuries.

Captain America was injected with Super-Soldier serum, which is not available over the counter at Walgreens.

And Wonder Woman? She’s an immortal goddess from Themyscira. Plus, with my legs, there’s no way I could pull off wearing her costume.

But Batman was just a rich dude in tip-top physical shape who possessed a near-genius intellect.

I was none of those things … but in theory, I could’ve been all of those things.

So, I’ve seen every Batman-related movie several times, although 1997’s “Batman and Robin” counts as an act of self-harm (and I still believe Joel Schumacher should’ve served at least a few months in prison for directing the film).

And I continue to follow Batman in all other mediums, because even old guys still need heroes. And whether I’m 57, 67, 77 or 87, he’ll still be my Dark Knight in shining armor.

If that doesn’t seem age-appropriate to you, well, you can kiss me where the Bat-Signal doesn’t shine.

 

Alliance of American Football beats new XFL to the punch

About a month ago I checked on the status of Pacific Pro Football, a new Southern California-based league that was set to start play this summer and one in which I have (had?) high hopes.

Out of Left Field is written by Scott Adamson. It appears weekly and sometimes more frequently if he gets up in the middle of the night and can’t go back to sleep. Follow him on Twitter @adamsonsl

What makes it different from most alternative pro football leagues, according to its website, is this:

 “Pac Pro will be the first league to professionalize players who are less than 4 years removed from their high school graduation. Players will receive a salary, benefits, and even paid tuition and books for one year at community college. Players also will be able to market themselves for compensation, and begin creating a financial retirement plan if they so choose.”

That’s a novel idea. But the site hadn’t been updated in months and I assumed it would not be kicking off in 2018 since it still has no teams, coaches or players.

I assumed correctly.

On Feb. 28, Pac Pro sent out a release stating that adidas is a founding member of the league, which will “start play in 2019.”

That detail about the launch date was saved for the last line of the release, which is a textbook case of burying the lede.

But, if you’re one of those people like me whose ears always perk up at the sound of “new” football, allow me to introduce you to another circuit vowing to start in 2019 – the Alliance of American Football.

I knew Vince McMahon was planning an XFL reboot (or perhaps reimagining) in 2020, but I had no idea the AAF was coming.

Obviously, though, there has been some serious behind the scenes work.

While franchises won’t be announced until next month, the plan is to have eight teams playing a spring schedule as part of a single entity structure.

Some early major rule tweaks include no kickoffs and no PAT kicks after touchdowns; teams will be required to go for a 2-point conversion.

And on Monday, Alex Marvez of Sporting News reported that big names such as Steve Spurrier, Mike Singletary and Jeff Fisher were being targeted as potential coaches.

But beyond that, here are the two things that stand out to me.

One, the AAF already has a TV deal with CBS, which will show a game on opening day (Saturday, February 9) as well as the championship game at the end of April.

The rest of the contests can be seen on CBS Sports Network or a free “Alliance App.”

And two, aside from former Buffalo Bills GM Bill Polian, the league is co-founded by TV and film producer Charlie Ebersol – son of Dick Ebersol, who happened to run the old XFL along with McMahon. The younger Ebersol actually did the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary about that failed venture, “This Was The XFL.”

Beating Vince to his second football punch should make for some spirited conversation the next time the Ebersols and McMahons have a play date.

According to the AAF website:

 “Players will have state-of-the-art protection on the field and ample opportunities off it. The Alliance will provide players a comprehensive bonus system, post-football career planning as well as counseling and scholarship support for postsecondary education.”

That’s great, but it doesn’t matter to fans if all the AAF alums go on to get doctorates and gain acceptance into Mensa International. The key for ticket buyers and viewers is whether or not it’ll be fun to watch.

As is the case with every proposed spring circuit since the United States Football League, players targeted will be those who can’t find work with NFL teams. And after listening to Polian do the media rounds, it’s obvious this will be the proverbial “second chance league.” For those who can parlay an AAF gig into another NFL shot, more power to them.

So what are its odds of success?

Quite long.

Spring is a season of growth, but it has proven to be mostly barren for pro football apart from the USFL (1983-85).

It threw big money at big names, and was carving out a decent niche until New Jersey Generals owner Donald Trump convinced the rest of the owners to move to the fall and file an antitrust suit against the NFL in hopes of snagging a financial windfall.

We all know how that turned out, and there hasn’t been an NFL spring league “challenger” since that has even sniffed at stability.*

*The World League of American Football/NFL Europe/NFL Europa was a spring league that lasted from 1991 to 2007, except for a break in 1993-94, but had teams in North America for just its first two seasons. It received funding from the NFL and served as a developmental league.

Now to be fair, you don’t need the best talent in the world to have a viable product.

Great high school teams aren’t on the same level as good college squads, and college players aren’t as skilled as professionals.

That doesn’t mean a game can’t be wildly entertaining, regardless of whether you watch it on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

But there are certain expectations when it comes to pro football, and when it’s considered “minor league,” it carries a stigma – fairly or not. Plus, I’m not sure there’s a real appetite for football from February through June anymore; perhaps fans aren’t in love with the game as much as they used to be. So aside from a few rule changes, this latest entry in offseason football really isn’t breaking ground that hasn’t already been broken time and time again.

Still, when it comes to the AAF, I wish it well, just as I give my well wishes to Pac Pro Football and all upstart leagues.

They provide more jobs for more people, and that’s a good thing.

And if, in fact, the league debuts as scheduled, I’ll watch it as long as I’m entertained.

There’s no harm in giving it a chance, even if I think its chances of survival are slim.