Norfolk SharX Join I-League

January 28, 2011 (TAMPA, Fla.)-–United Soccer Leagues is proud to announce the addition of the Norfolk SharX to the I-League. The SharX were unveiled Tuesday at a news conference in Norfolk, Virginia, featuring team CEO and President Marcie Laumann, founder and president of the Hampton Roads Piranhas teams that compete in the USL Premier Development League and W-League.

The SharX will kick off its first season at Norfolk Scope Arena this fall. The I-league also includes the Rochester Lancers, a team in Syracuse, New York, and more team announcements forthcoming. Consistent with the USL model, competition in the I-League will be regionally based in order to contain travel expenses, culminating with a national championship in early 2012.

“The Norfolk SharX are a fantastic addition to the I-League, which continues to build momentum as we head toward the opening kickoff in November,” I-League Senior Director Chris Economides said. “With Marcie Laumann serving as CEO and President, there is no question that the SharX will enjoy a great deal of success just as her PDL and W-League teams have.”

Laumann has enjoyed a long and illustrious career in soccer team ownership and management in USL. For the past 17 years she has led the Piranhas teams and has won numerous individual and team awards, and her teams have won championships. In 2004, both Marcie and her husband, Doc, were inducted into the USL Hall of Fame.

“Everyone here at the SharX understands that community and corporate support is earned and not given or expected,” Marcie Laumann said. “We have worked hard behind the scenes for the past eight months to develop a franchise that today we are proud to introduce to our neighbors, friends, and family throughout Hampton Roads.

About the United Soccer Leagues
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, United Soccer Leagues has become the largest organization of elite-level soccer leagues in North America by building on the vision, commitment, and passion of players, fans and investors. Now in its third decade of operation, USL continues to be a driving force in the growth of soccer in the United States, Canada and Caribbean. USL provides a clearly defined path for the progression of male and female soccer players beginning at the youth level (USL Super Y-League/USL Super-20 League), continuing through the amateur level (USL Premier Development League/USL W-League) and up to the professional level, both outdoor and indoor (USL PRO, I-League). A platform for countless players to reach for their dreams each year, USL is devoted to developing the sport at the grassroots level in every community across the region.