Newark, N.J. (Thursday, July 3, 2008) – The New Jersey Ironmen head into the heated months of summer with a full slate of summer camps throughout the region, and the schedule got underway last week in a very fitting location. In their first camp in team history, Ironmen goalkeeper Tony Meola returned to his hometown of Kearny to headline a week-long camp at his high school alma mater.
“It’s always great to return to my hometown,” Meola commented. “The people of Kearny have always supported me throughout my entire life and playing career, and I will always have a strong bond to this community.”
Alongside Meola, key organizers of the week-long camp were Kearny High School Head Coach Billy Garka, Ironmen Goalkeeper Coach Sal Rosamilia and 2008 College Draft selection of the New Jersey Ironmen, Matt Sleece. Meola and Rosamilia both received All-State accolades while playing for the Kardinals in high school.
Ironmen camps are conducted by the team coaching staff and players, offering participants the rare experience of learning directly from the pros. Ironmen Head Coach Omid Namazi, Assistant Coach Kevin Sloan and playmaking midfielder Goran Vasic join Meola to highlight the professional staff at the Ironmen camps.
“New Jersey Ironmen camps are a fantastic way for players to improve their game, and it also a great way for our team to reach out to the communities that have supported us,” Ironmen General Manager Tony Novo said. “We are very pleased to offer this unique experience to every player that will attend our camp programs this summer.”
Novo also commented on the upcoming second season of the Ironmen.
“Preparations are heavily underway for the restructuring of our new league,” Novo continued. “Along with our ownership group and staff, we are very excited about the upcoming 2008-09 season, and we will strive to bring a championship to our loyal fan base.”
In reference to Ironmen camps, all players will receive a t-shirt, soccer ball and a ticket to the team’s 2008-09 home opener at Prudential Center this fall. For more information regarding camps, contact Assistant Coach Kevin Sloan at 973-757-6323 or ksloan@njironmen.com.
MEET THE IRONMEN CAMP STAFF:
IRONMEN HEAD COACH OMID NAMAZI is two-time MISL Coach of The Year. His first head coaching job was with the Philadelphia KiXX, and he led that club to back-to-back championship appearances, winning the 2001-02 league championship. He has led three different indoor sides to championship appearances, and the Ironmen became the fourth club he has taken to the postseason when he led them to the playoffs last season. He has enjoyed a 19-year career as a professional soccer player during which he garnered many individual accolades and awards. A four-time MISL All-Star player, he was also voted the 2000-2001 Defender of the Year. Prior to playing indoors, Namazi also enjoyed a very successful career for numerous outdoor teams such as the Washington Diplomats, the Maryland Bays and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. While playing for the Philadelphia KiXX in 1997, he was also called up by the NY/NJ MetroStars of Major League Soccer.
IRONMEN ASSISTANT COACH KEVIN SLOAN played his college soccer at Catawba (NC) College, and he was named to the NCAA All-America Team three times. He has 20 years of professional experience playing both indoor and outdoor soccer, and he has been an All-Star in every league in which he has participated. He was a member of both the 1990 APSL national champion Maryland Bays outdoor team and the 2001-2002 MISL champion Philadelphia KiXX, and he has accumulated 1108 points over his 15-season indoor career. In addition to his responsibilities with the Ironmen, he is also the head coach of the men’s soccer team at Neumann College in Ashton, Pennsylvania.
GOALKEEPER TONY MEOLA is Kearny native that attended the University of Virginia on a soccer and baseball scholarship. After a prolific sophomore season for the Cavaliers, Meola won the Hermann Trophy, which is awarded to the top college soccer player in the nation. The former draft selection of the New York Yankees began his career as a goalkeeper with the United States National Team in 1988. He played every minute in goal in both the 1990 and 1994 World Cup, and he earned his 100th cap with the national team in 2006. Meola also enjoyed a ten-year career in Major League Soccer, winning MVP honors and a league title with the Kansas City Wizards in 2000. He currently backstops the New Jersey Ironmen at Prudential Center.
MIDFIELDER GORAN VASIC was born in Belgrade, Serbia, and moved to the United States in May of 1997. He started his American career with the Houston Hotshots of the Continental Indoor Soccer League and recently completed his 11th season playing professional indoor soccer. He played for the Cleveland Crunch from 1998-2001 before playing for the Philadelphia KiXX from 2001-06. After a year with the Milwaukee Wave, he made the move to Newark by signing with the Ironmen prior to this past season. For his indoor career, he has tallied 584 points to go along with 223 assists and 154 blocks.
ABOUT THE NEW JERSEY IRONMEN
The New Jersey Ironmen, owned by Jeff Vanderbeek and Michael Gilfillan of the NHL New Jersey Devils ownership group, recently completed their inaugural season in the Major Indoor Soccer League. The Ironmen play their home schedule at Prudential Center in the Downtown Core Redevelopment District of Newark. The Ironmen are coached by two-time MISL Coach of the Year Omid Namazi and Assistant Coach Kevin Sloan. For more information on the New Jersey Ironmen, visit www.njironmen.com.