Sport fans will have a new option this spring. A National Premier Soccer League team will begin play in May.
Mike Garrett who is leading the launch of the new franchise says Kalamazoo is “a great soccer market.” He says the challenge will be to engage people in the team.
Garrett says the Kalamazoo team will mostly be made up of collegiate players who will compete with the Kalamazoo team for their off-season. He says a key to the team’s future is that players and college coaches feel that players earn valuable experience and develop during their time in Kalamazoo.
Garrett says fans will see a “high level of soccer.” He hopes that will help generate more interest in the sport. But Garrett says there will also be a “fun environment” for fans. That could include a mascot and fun activities for halftime as well as before and after the game.
Asked about the lessons learned from other sports teams in Kalamazoo, Garrett says
“There’s always lessons to be learned, and the first one is that professional sports is not easy."
Garrett, a former professional soccer player, who started SoccerZone and owns Back of the Net Sports, says while it won’t be easy it is “doable.”
After the interview, it was announced that the team will play its games at Mayor’s Riverfront Park in Kalamazoo. Garrett says
“At this stage, I would say we’re laying that foundation and we’re trying to crawl, walk then jog. When we get to the actual season we hope that we’re at least jogging or running.”
A schedule for the season has not been set, but will run from May through July. Season tickets are being sold.
