Gordon Jago to Address USIndoor National Conference

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 28, 2006) – USIndoor president Don Shapero announced that soccer legend, Gordon Jago, will be the Association’s keynote speaker at its 2006 Facility Operators’ Conference and Trade Show, June 22-25 in Dallas, TX. Said Shapero, “We are honored to have such a respected figure, whose lifelong achievement and varied experiences as a player, entrepreneur and executive we can all learn from and enjoy.”

Jago’s storied career charts a course from 1950s England, including playing stints on England’s U19 National Team and twelve years with Charlton Athletic FC; to coaching success at Eastbourne United, Fulham, Queens Park Rangers, and Millwall; to the United States, where he coached the USA World Cup Team beginning in 1968, the Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) from 1978 to 1982 and the Dallas Sidekicks (MISL, CISL) through 1997. In 1998 he helped found and presided over the World Indoor Soccer League and in 2002 became Executive Director of the internationally renowned Dallas Cup, which he serves today.

To North American soccer enthusiasts, Jago is perhaps best known as having led the Rowdies to two Soccer Bowl appearances and one NASL Indoor Championship. To indoor enthusiasts, Jago is synonymous with the Sidekicks, which, under Jago’s leadership, grew into arguably the most successful business in indoor soccer history, while earning three championships, and Gordon three “Coach of the Year” awards.

Internationally, Jago’s legacy continues to grow. As Executive Director of the Dallas Cup, he has found a way to add to the rich tradition of the most prestigious international youth soccer tournament in the world and to carry on as ambassador of the game. In recent years, the Dallas Cup has attracted teams from South Africa and Afghanistan, as well as a joint Israeli-Palestinian Peace Team. The tournament provides an opportunity for the best players to compete at the highest level with the greatest social awareness. This year marked the event’s 27th anniversary. DC United’s Freddy Adu and Real Madrid’s David Beckham are just two of the most famous players to take part in the tournament.

In the fall of 2005, Jago was inducted into the inaugural class of the Texans Credit Union’s Walk of Fame at Pizza Hut Park, home of FC Dallas. Truly a legend in his own time, conference-goers dare not miss the opportunity to gain a glimpse into the man who has had so much positive impact on the game of soccer and business of sport.

USIndoor’s 2006 Facility Operator’s Conference offers a Facility Bus Tour, a Symposium for experienced operators, separate Workshops for existing and startup facilities, Networking, a Trade Show, tourist attractions and entertainment. All activities either take place at, or embark from, the Marriott Dallas/Addison Quorum at the Galleria, the Conference’s host hotel. Mr. Jago’s keynote address will take place Saturday afternoon, June 24th.

Updates and details, including the latest Itinerary, excursions, online registration and event history, are posted on USIndoor’s Website (www.usindoor.com.) Early registration for USIndoor Members is $135 (non-members $175), and hotel reservations at the Marriott, the Conference’s host hotel, are available at a specially negotiated rate of $69 per night. Questions may be addressed to USIndoor by e-mail (pr@usindoor.com), including personal name, company name, address and telephone number.

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