That's the nicest way to say it. With the promise of a new campaign at the new year, DeKalb County United staff was more prepared than ever heading into a season. Our coaching staff was settled and ready for the grind. Our players were confident and ready to build on a second place finish in 2019. We were also thrilled to bring back our men's u23 team and have our debut of our women's u23 team. We just have to wait a little longer.
After the sting from our season being canceled wore off, the advisory board (made up of our amazing volunteer staff) rallied and began preparing for 2021. With monthly virtual meetings and intermittent small group sessions, we began preparing for the next chance to take the field. And what strides we've made...
We hosted a few online events to raise funds for local organizations and small businesses.
We launched a podcast in July with a focus on our club's story, but highlighting the trials and tribulations of lower league soccer.
We debuted an online resource called a "new club packet" to help other individuals or groups start club's in their communities.
Through our committees we're renewing our commitment to our season ticket holder members who chose to spend their money to support the club. We will be increasing communication to you and asking for more input in our decision making.
We're also re-establishing our communications with our corporate sponsors who also invested their money into the club. Without sponsors we wouldn't be here and we will never be able to thank you enough for your excitement for the mission of the club.
We have been actively looking for community members who want to be more involved with the club. We are always looking for new faces who are interested in being a part of the behind the scenes of how we operate, how we make decisions and how we survive (financially). Beyond that we know that there are a number of people who've not yet heard of our club within our own community. So we know there is still work to be done.
At the present we're working hard on a couple of very big projects that will make us more sustainable long term and we can't wait to be able to share details with you.
A return to the field in 2021 is the goal, although we recognize that it could be very different than how we did things in the past. We will need the support and understanding of our supporters, sponsors, coaches, players and staff to weather this storm until the time comes for us to gather in large groups again. Until then, we're operating with long term sustainability as a top priority.
While we want to get back to playing soccer and uniting our community as soon as possible, we're wishing for everyone's safety and prosperity during these times. No one has been unaffected and we're here if there's something we can do to support you. This is your club.
Thanks so much for allowing us to be caretakers of this club and we can not wait to see where this community takes it.
John Hall
President
DeKalb County United