Greeley ... how do I know that name... Greeley

The new president of the Chicago Fire is Dave Greeley.  Mug looks familiar.  Hmm... I think we crossed paths a few times.  

Reaction in the Chicago soccer community appears to be tepid so far.

My close friends know that I interviewed for the job.  I was politely told, some three months ago, that the search was going in a different direction.  No worries - I landed in a great place.

In the interview process, I appreciated the chance to get back to Chicago - even for a day - and to provide several hours of insight as to what the future of the Fire might hold.  I'm glad they respected the voice I brought.  I still cherish the seven years I gave to the "men in red," and wish them great success - particularly Denis, Frank, Chris A, CJ, Diego, Ron and David Q - seven holdovers from the magical 1998 season.

Everything else has changed, some things for the better (Toyota Park and Cuauhtemoc Blanco), other aspects for the worse, and others just because change happens.  Life rolls along.

So now this Greeley character (I wonder if he's related to the "Go West, Young Man!" Greeley?) is the young man in charge.  He'll sit down with Frankie and set the budget for the next designated player.  He'll sit down with Dan and the Toyota Park management and discuss the racism allegations that have marred this summer.  Then he'll sit down with the staff, who when they ask him a soccer question are likely to get the automated press release response, "I am excited to be joining the Chicago Fire as they are clearly a dominant franchise in Major League Soccer."  You tell 'em Dave.

Will he meet with Section Eight?  Will he walk the stands or sequester himself in a box?  How will he and Denis start a conversation? Can he sell tickets if he' s not working for a NFL franchise? (Hint - you're not inheriting 66,000 season ticket holders.)  

Or does it matter?  

From the outside, no, not really.  The subtle changes in management style and direction won't be a blip on the radar compared to recent years.  And let me be the first to suggest that the new president will not last as long as his predecessor.  You heard it here first.

What matters is that Frank Klopas is the face of the FIre - and needs to be.  He was a great player, he bled red-white-and-blue despite his Greek heritage, is connected, well-liked, and ambitious.   And he wants to be in soccer.  Forever. The Fire needs that.  Frank - don't be intimidated by the prez's NFL resume or suit - you have a better idea where the Fire has been, where it is and where it's going.  Do your thing.  Give the boys every opportunity to win. The faithful have placed their faith in you.

Oh... it's coming to me...  Negotiations with the resident NFL team over use of a new state-of-the-art stadium on the lake front... Upstart soccer team against a VERY entrenched fiefdom... Many suits.  

Let's just say, "Thank God Bridgeview came along."    

Comments

[peter]

You're a wise man Steve.

I too recall the new Fire pres from those new Soldier Field negotiations. At one point, his relentless disparaging comments about soccer and the Fire forced AEG's Bill Peterson and me to swear at him (as I recall, it began with an "f" and ended with a "u"), get up from the table and head for the door.

Dick Burke, the Bears legal counsel, stopped us, apologized for Greeley and convinced us to return to the table.

I don't know that we've spoken since, but apparently, he's seen the light and had a conversion!

Soccer can be a mighty inspiration. I look forward to talking to Dave again and discovering the elixir responsible for his conversion.

[KT]

I can't read all the text! Formatting issues.

I highlighted and copied it and pasted it somewhere else. Is it just me?

[Pete]

I didn't know you interviewed but I had your name on the list of people I would have liked to seen get the job. Damn.

[Paul]

yes, i also can't read the blog due to formatting issues. i copied and then pasted on Word -- there's a whole lot more! thanks for posting...you might want to check into the formatting issue.

[Tom]

Good perspective from both Steve and Peter. I am not sure about this hiring, but he could be a good or he could be awful. He brings a lot of experience and good Chicago ties. One thing is for sure, we won't feel about him as we felt about Peter. How could we? There is, and always will be, one Peter Wilt.

Also, for those of you who could not read the post (myself included), copy and paste it into Word and read it that way. Just don't save it, that could be a copyright infringement.

[El Rey]

WTF...They hired this A** hole