Salvatore "SoccerSam" Fantauzzo
Salvatore "SoccerSam" Fantauzzo[edit]
SoccerSam was born and raised in Rochester, NY. He fell in love with soccer at the age of 10 when he began playing and his uncle ((Al Oliveri)) took him to his first Lancers game. He has been an avid fan of Indoor and Outdoor American Soccer ever since and continues to play.
IFSL 1980-2000[edit]
SoccerSam started the IFSL (Irondeqouit Fall Soccer League) in 1980 and was the commissioner of the league. The IFSL was for adult men to continue to play soccer. He organized for the team to travel internationally and play in tournaments.[1]
SoccerSam's Pizza Pasta Cafe 2000[edit]
SoccerSam and wife ((Linda Fantauzzo)) opened SoccerSam's Pizza Pasta Cafe, what is claimed to be America's first Soccer Themed Italian Restaurant in Webster, NY. They sold the restaurant three years later.[2] [3]
SoccerSam TV Show[edit]
1994 brought America's first weekly soccer TV show which was called "The SoccerSam Show". The show was broadcast on Irondequoit Cable Access. The weekly show featured Soccer Stars from all over the world but a huge focus of the show became making the ((Rochester Rhinos)) a success. It worked! The Rhinos became one of the most successful teams in the history of American Soccer.[4] [5] [6]
Kick This! The SoccerSam Radio Show[edit]
In 1995 SoccerSam began America's first weekly radio show called, KickThis! The Soccer Sam show. He has covered soccer all over the world for over 20 years on this show with the help of co-host ((Jeff DiVeronica)), ((James Weise)), ((Rich Randall), ((Andrew Battisti)), ((Alex Loj)) and ((Don Lalka)). ((Rich "Kicker" Jones)) is the producer and ((Mike Moran)) the webmaster. You can listen to all podcasts from the past or listen live every Saturday at 11:00am est by visiting: www.kickthis.com
Rochester Rhinos[edit]
From 1996-2009 SoccerSam was the assistant to GM ((Chris Economides)). Sam sold tickets and sponsorships and handled the game day for the Rhinos. He started the post game call in show for the fans. The Rhinos played at Frontier Field from 1996-2005, which was considered the most successful years of the Rhinos. The time when they were considered to join the MLS. In 2006 the Rhinos moved to the newly built soccer stadium in downtown Rochester, NY. SoccerSam became the Team President in 2008 under new owner ((Rob Clark)). SoccerSam and Rich Randall helped make 2008-2009 the only successful years the Rhinos had at the new soccer stadium.[7] In 2009 SoccerSam had life changing surgery was never asked to return to the Rhinos. [8] [9]
Rochester Lancers Indoor[edit]
In 1995 SoccerSam purchased the Rochester Lancers name and logo to add to his soccer memorabilia collection. In 2010, SoccerSam negotiated with ((Chris Economedies)) of the USL to join the I-League. The USL was struggling to attract new teams. SoccerSam helped negotiate with the MISL to join the two leagues which happened for the 2011/2012 season. The Lancers played their first indoor soccer season under the MISL.[10]
SoccerSam brought other lifelong friends and Rochester business men to help with his venture. Owners named were former minority owner of the Rhinos, ((Christopher Wilmot)), Salvatore's franchisee ((John Coraggioso), Dunkin Donuts owners ((Luis Ribeiro)) and ((Dom Vieira)) and CPA ((Steve Stokes)). Other staff that were brought in to run the team: ((Mike Moran)) Social media and web guru, ((Rich Randall) - VP of Operations, ((Patty Powers)) - Marketing, ((Donna Waasdorp)) - Operations, ((Lyndsay DiMeo)) - Graphic Design, ((Kayla Klark Kent)) - Sales and Operations and ((Ashley King)) - Community Relations. Several formers Rhinos staff members volunteered to help SoccerSam with the new indoor Lancers. ((Jill Rizzo)), ((John Catalano)), ((Joe Giuliano)), ((Rocky Perrotta)), ((Phil Mercado)), ((James Weise)), and ((Eric Trendel).[11]
To help run the team former Rhinos players and staff helped the launch of the team. ((Dave DiPasquale)), ((John Berardicurdi)), ((Billy Andracki)), ((Craig Demmin)), ((Francisco Escos)), ((Billy Ginther)), ((Rey "Boom Boom" Martinez)), ((John Ball)), ((Mauricio Salles)), ((Patrick Hannigan)) and ((Doug Miller)).[12]
The indoor Rochester Lancers began play in 2011 at the Blue Cross Arena and they played three seasons in the USL owned MISL and one season the newly formed MASL.
Year-by-year[edit]
Year League Record Attendance Head Coach 2011/12 MISL 11-13 5,675 Billy Andracki 2012-13 MISL 10-16 5,975 Jim Hesch 2013-14 MISL 6-14 7,347 Josh Rife 2014-15 MISL 10-10 6,539 Doug Miller 2015-2016: The Lancers were forced to fold because of NYSIF and NY Workmen's Comp issues.
[13] [14] [15] [16] [17]
In 2016, ((Ed Hale)) founded the IPL, Indoor Pro League and named Soccersam its first commissioner. Just months later SoccerSam helped negotiate the return of teams in the IPL to the MASL to have just one indoor league. [18]
Rochester Lancers Outdoor[edit]
In 2017 SoccerSam joined the NPSL under the Rochester RiverDogz. The name and logo were then changed to the Rochester Lancers. Former owners of the RiverDogz ((Marc Mandell)), ((Nick Mojsovski)) wanted to join forces with ((Doug Miller)) and SoccerSam. Also, in 2017 SoccerSam added a women's team in the UWS and that's when the Lady Lancers were formed. ((Ashley Maria King)) serves as the VP of Operations for both teams.[19] [20]
Rochester Lady Lancers[edit]
, UWS: 2017 Season: 0-9-1, Coaches ((Loren Inglese)) and ((Sal Galvano)) Rochester Lancers, NPSL: 2017 Season: 6-4-2, Head Coach ((Doug Miller)) Assistant Coach ((Adam Schwartz)) Rochester Lady Lancers, UWS: 2018 Season: 5-3-2, Head Coach ((Sal Galvano)) Player/Asst Coach ((Brooke Barbuto)) Rochester Lancers, NPSL: 2018 Season: 6-3-3, Head Coach ((Doug Miller)) Assistant Coach ((Adam Schwartz))
February 2018, ((Kayla Klark Kent)) returns to the Lancers as Director of Soccer Operations.
Salvatore's Old Fashioned Pizzeria[edit]
Founder & CEO of Salvatore's Old Fashioned Pizzeria. In 1978, SoccerSam used a high school project to open his first Salvatore's location. There are now almost 30 locations including the Blue Cross Arena, Frontier Field, CMAC and Marina Auto Stadium. Each Salvatore's is individually owned and franchised and employs over 1,500 Rochesterians.[21]
In 2010, SoccerSam recreated the Donuts Delite brand & refurbished the Rochester landmark building at Empire Blvd & Culver Rd.[22]
In 2014, SoccerSam acquired the franchise rights to bring Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips back to the Rochester area. Arthur Traacher's is now in several Salvatore's locations.[23]
In 2016, SoccerSam re-opened the 1872 cafe and launched his new Speedy Slice pizza concept.[24]
Personal Awards[edit]
1996: Section V Committee "Media Award"
2000: Town of Irondequoit "15 Years of Leadership"
2002: Press Radio Club "Charlie Wager Award"
2005: County of Monroe "Outstanding Asset Builder"
2005: Section V Committee "Media Award"
2008: Eastridge High School "Hall of Fame"
2010: Frontier Field "Walk of Fame"
2011: Camp Good Days "Ring of Honor"
2013: Italian Civic League "Outstanding Citizen Award"
2016: Hickok Center for Brain Injury "Community Hero Award"
2016: Western NY Flash "Soccer Ambassador Award"
SoccerSam is a local philanthropist, generously contributing to many charities in the Rochester area including Camp Good Days and Special Times, Golisano Children's Hospital, Rochester Breast Cancer Coalition and the Alzheimer's Association.[25]
SoccerSam is married to high-school sweetheart, ((Linda Fantauzzo) and resides in Webster, NY. Sam spends a lot of time with his three children ((Salvatore II), ((Roxanna)) (Marc) and ((Silvio)) (Angela) and five grandchildren ((Santino)), ((Salvatore III)), ((Noella)), ((Jovany)) and ((Massimo)).
References[edit]
1 https://rbj.net/2000/06/30/rhino-mania-spurs-theme-restaurant/ 2 https://democratandchronicle.newspapers.com/image/137125967/?terms=Rhinos%2Band%2BSoccer%2BSam 3 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjLoGSF3PAKMlwwjzgZ0zsA 4 https://democratandchronicle.newspapers.com/image/136207804/?terms=SoccerSam 5 https://democratandchronicle.newspapers.com/image/136127899 6 https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/work-charges-ahead-on-23m-rochester-rhinos-stadium/5524 7 https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/02/21/soccer-sam-relies-power-friendship/23805677/ 8 https://democratandchronicle.newspapers.com/image/136333236/?terms=Rhinos%2Band%2BSoccer%2BSam 9 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2010/07/21/united-soccer-league-announces-i-league-rochester-lancers-founding-team/ 10 https://democratandchronicle.newspapers.com/image/137438748/?terms=Lancers%2BMystique 11 https://www.rochesterfirst.com/sports/lancers-sign-five-players/194608637 12 https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/soccer/blogs/direct-kicks/2011/08/18/andrackis-time-has-arrived-for-lancers/2302535/ 13 https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/lancers-promote-jim-hesch/n-4498550 14 https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/soccer/2013/09/13/rochester-lancers-hire-josh-rife-as-head-coach/2811237/ 15 https://www.rochesterfirst.com/news/doug-miller-signed-as-lancers-new-playercoach/190001476 16 http://stats.pointstreak.com/teamplayerstats.html?teamid=343570&seasonid=11629&sortby=w 17 https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/soccer/blogs/daily-devo/2016/05/06/soccer-sam-commish-new-indoor-league/84016160/ 18 https://www.uwssoccer.com/news_article/show/779064 19 https://www.soccertoday.com/rochester-lancers-returns-with-mens-and-womens-side/ 20 http://www.monroecopost.com/news/20180711/salvatores-announces-pizza-hall-of-fame 21 http://www.cityofrochester.gov/article.aspx?id=8589941179 22 https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/roc-food/2014/02/25/arthur-treachers-fish-and-chips/5810337/ 23 https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/money/business/2015/08/18/cafe-reopens-salvatores-pizza-franchise-speedy-slice/31929191/ 24 https://www.rochesterfirst.com/news/local-news/salvatore-s-old-fashioned-pizzeria-to-offer-major-donation-at-lancers-game/1289144305 25 https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/health/2017/09/22/mens-health-benefits-outweigh-risks-men-play-contact-sports-middle-age/677390001/
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