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Don Gemmell, Coach Mid Michigan Bucks Press Release May 1, 2003
Contact: Kyle Karns (989) 781-6888 info@mmbucks.com
MID MICHIGAN BUCKS OPEN TRAINING CAMP
New Coach, Stadium Await Minor League Soccer Team
The Mid Michigan Bucks minor league soccer franchise will open training camp today at Oakland University. The Premier Development League (PDL) team enters its eighth season seeking a PDL-record sixth division title and eighth consecutive winning season. The practice/Open Tryout begins at 6:00pm on the lower Varsity practice field, featuring a new coach for the 2003 campaign, Don Gemmell. A familiar name in Michigan soccer circles, Gemmell will add to an already impressive resume by becoming the fourth coach in Bucks history. Also new this season will be one of the team's home venues - the refurbished Hurley Field in Berkley, which will host four games this spring.
Gemmell will continue with his position of Director of Soccer Education and Coaching Development for the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) and he holds an "A" License from the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). "We are looking forward to having a coach of Don's caliber take us into our eighth season," said Bucks general manager, Jim Duggan. "We have been blessed with good coaches in the past and we believe Don will carry on that tradition." Two previous head coaches for the Bucks have won national "PDL Coach of the Year" awards (Steve Burns in 1997 and Joe Malachino in 2000).
The Shelby Township resident has also held the position of staff member for the Region II Boy's Olympic Development Program (ODP) since 1998, having served as Head Coach for the state's ODP from 1994 to 1997. He coached his Vardar Club youth team to the National Championship Game in 1999. Graduating with a Communications degree from Oakland University, where he was also a member of the varsity squad, Gemmell played briefly as a professional in the National Soccer League for the London, Ont. franchise. Gemmell has also served as a Territory Manager for Umbro USA and Fila Sports, Inc.
The Bucks will be playing four home games at Plymouth-Canton High School and four at Berkley's Hurley Field. "What a great stadium. And the people at Berkley Schools have been terrific to work with," said Duggan. "We are excited about playing matches there."
2003 SCHEDULE AND OTHER BUCKS INFO IS AVAILABLE NOW AT:
http://mmbucks.com
BUCKS OPEN IN SAGINAW ON MAY 17th; THEN BERKLEY ON MAY 19th
Mid Michigan opens with two home US Open Cup Qualifiers: On Saturday, May 17th (7:30pm) at Saginaw's White Pine Stadium against the expansion Fort Wayne Fever and on Monday, May 19th (7:30pm) at Hurley Field in Berkley vs. another PDL expansion franchise, the Toledo Slayers. To qualify for the US Open Cup from the PDL, (6 out of 51) teams usually need to win their first four games. Fans wanting more information should go to the bucks website or call 989-781-6888
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