POSTED: Sunday March 27th 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ian McMahon named WLS Commissioner
Women’s League Soccer has hired England native and former professional player Ian McMahon as the league’s first commissioner. McMahon brings over 20 years of sports administration and coaching experience to the league.
McMahon played professionally in the 1980’s for Oldham Athletic and Rochdale F.C., appearing in over 100 games. Injury ended his career early and he moved on to coaching and sports administration, where at the age of 26 he became the youngest general manager/chief executive officer of a sports club in England.
Among McMahon’s previous accomplishments is obtaining the position of managing director at Hull City F.C. in England. He has also served as head coach at the PDL and W-League level in the United Soccer Leagues. Currently, he is the assistant men’s soccer coach at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he also coaches in the community.
His most recent success prior to coming to the United States came with Doncaster Rovers in England, a club he turned around from what the media called the worst in the country to a championship team. He then wrote a book, titled The Only Way is Up, about his first season with the team. That received praise in respected soccer magazines such as Four Four Two and World Soccer Magazine.
During McMahon’s time with the Des Moines Menace of the PDL, he built an undefeated team in his second season, which brought an average attendance of over 4,500 fans. McMahon also build a youth program of over 1,000 players in the first year.
Now, McMahon is tasked with helping WLS grow. He believes the league has the potential to grow in the future.
“One big thing is maintaining the integrity of the league,” McMahon said. “My job is to help teams grow on and off the field and help attract fans.”
As commissioner, McMahon will be tasked with guiding the day-to-day operations of WLS as well as growing the league as it moves forward.
“To me, it’s just a great opportunity,” McMahon said. “Having lived in Michigan and Indiana, I’m aware of the opportunities for teams. Obviously it is early on in the league, but the potential is great. We are building for now and for the future.”
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Keywords · wls · ian mcmahon · womens soccer · womens pro soccer
Name: Liz Alvarez
Organization: FC Indiana
Email:
Phone: 765-337-7251
URL: fcindiana.us
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