July 11, 2003

ONEONTA, N.Y. - 2003 Hall of Fame inductee Lee Stern joins NCAA coaching legend Anson Dorrance, American Youth Soccer Organization Chairman Burton Haimes, and player agent Richard Motzkin on the National Soccer Hall of Fame Board of Directors. The four were recently elected at the Hall of Fame's Spring board meeting. Officially retiring from the board are U.S. star Michelle Akers, Tom Clarke former president of NIKE and John Pontius of Hartwick College, Oneonta, N.Y.

All four new directors are prominent leaders in different arenas of the sport. They are tremendous additions to the board and will play an important role building this institution," said Hall of Fame President/CEO Will Lunn. The Hall of Fame represents the entire sport; from the national teams to the pros to the youth, men and women, boys and girls, coast to coast. We have an active, committed board that represents this diversity."

The single most successful coach in intercollegiate athletics, Anson Dorrance is credited with having set the standard for the women's game worldwide. Named National Coach of the Year in his role as Head Coach of the University of North Carolina Women's Soccer program. His 532-25-15 record (2002) and 17 national championships in 21 years represents the best NCAA record for any Division I sport nationwide. In 1995, a film entitled, Dynasty," focussed on the Tar Heels' amazing nine-year national championship run from 1986 through 1994. He was also the Coach of the 1991 FIFA Women's World Championship U.S. Women's National Team. He and the team were awarded the National Soccer Hall of Fame Medal of Honor in 2001. Dorrance has co-authored two books: Training Soccer Champions" and The Vision of a Champion" and been named one of the 25 most influential people in the history of American soccer.

Burton Haimes is a member of the Executive Committee of the United States Soccer Federation and has been a member of its Board of Directors since 1988. He has been the Chairman of the USSF Rules Committee, the Women's Professional Development Committee (in charge of launching the WUSA) and the Men's Professional Development Committee. He is a past President and current Chairman of the Board of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO). He is now working with CONCACAF to develop youth soccer programs in the Caribbean and Central America. He is the Chairman of the Business & Finance Department of the national law firm, Thelen, Reid & Priest LLP where he represents French businesses in their U.S. activities and Chairman of Action Against Hunger-USA, a U.S.-based hunger relief humanitarian organization.

Richard L. Motzkin, Principal & Founder of SportsNet, LLC, started the company with the goal of providing professional and quality representation to top American soccer players and coaches. Motzkin's first client was 1994 U.S. World Cup star Alexi Lalas and his company currently represents U.S. Men's National Team Head Coach Bruce Arena, many of the players on the U.S. Men's and Women's National Teams including 2002 U.S. Player's of the Year Landon Donovan and Shannon MacMillan. Motzkin previously served as Deputy Executive Director/General Counsel of the United States Soccer Federation where he was primarily responsible for managing the legal and business affairs of the organization, including the areas of sponsorship, licensing, athlete matters and public relations. Motzkin also practiced as an attorney at the law firm of Latham & Watkins in Los Angeles.

Lee Stern, a member firm of the Chicago Board of Trade, has been active in the commodity industry as a member of the Chicago Board of Trade for 53 years. He is a past Director. He is best known in the sports world as the founder and sole owner of the Chicago Sting, winner of the North American Soccer League championship in 1981 and 1984. He served as Chairman of both the Executive Committee of the NASL and the Major Indoor Soccer League. As a charter member of the World Cup Founders Club, as well as the City of Chicago 1994 World Cup Host Committee, Stern was instrumental in bringing that event to the City of Chicago. Stern is a member of the corporate general partnership of the Chicago White Sox and has served as an Owner and Director since 1976. A member of the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame, Stern was selected for induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in October 2003.

The National Soccer Hall of Fame, located in Oneonta, NY, opened a new 40,000 sqft, state-of-the-art museum in 1999. The new Hall of Fame tells the story of soccer in America and features World Cup as well as greatest moments in international soccer. The new Hall features an extensive interactive, youth oriented Kicks Zone where visitors have fun kicking, heading and playing computer trivia stations and video soccer games. A video wall features greatest moments and greatest goals as well as live soccer action with World Cup, MLS, US Soccer and WUSA matches. Unique and rare artifacts on exhibition range from the world's oldest soccer ball to the Women's World Cup won by the USA in 1999. Pele and Mia Hamm's uniforms, Kristine Lilly's golden shoes, NASL championship rings, MLS championship trophy, WUSA gallery - it's all at the National Soccer Hall of Fame. In addition to the interactive Museum, the National Soccer Hall of Fame complex boasts a the Kicks Hall of Fame museum store, a research library, four world class soccer fields and office/meeting facilities. The Hall plans to add a stadium, an indoor soccer arena, three more outdoor fields and housing facilities by 2008.