Vince Ursini

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vince Ursini
Ursini in 2011
Chairman/President of Canadian Soccer League
In office
2011–2016
Preceded byDomenic Di Gironimo (as CSL commissioner)
Succeeded byDragan Bakoc
Chairman/President of Canadian Professional Soccer League
In office
2000–2005
Preceded byMichael Di Biase
Succeeded byCary Kaplan (as CSL commissioner)
Personal details
Born (1960-09-19) September 19, 1960 (age 63)
Alma materIvey Business School of University of Western Ontario
OccupationAccountant

Vincent Ursini (born September 19, 1960) is a Canadian accountant, former soccer executive, and stage actor.

Originally a soccer player Ursini drifted to the administrative duties of soccer. Initially serving at the regional association levels he ultimately was elected to the Ontario Soccer Association board of directors. During his tenure with the Ontario Soccer Association, he became involved with the Canadian Professional Soccer League (CPSL). In 2000, he was named the chairman/president of the CPSL and established the league within the Ontario soccer structure. In 2005, he was elected to the Canadian Soccer Association board of directors as the director of finance.

He returned to the CPSL in 2011 under the re-branded name Canadian Soccer League (CSL) under the same capacity of chairman/president. After his resignation from the CSL in 2017 he became involved with the Blackhorse Village Players Theater in Caledon, Ontario as a stage actor.

Soccer administrator[edit]

Ontario Soccer Association[edit]

Ursini graduated from Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario in 1983 with a bachelor's in business administration.[1][2] He found employment in financial services as an accountant and consultant.[2] He originally played soccer before transitioning to an administrative capacity in the North York and York Region soccer districts.[3][1] He played at the college level with the Western Mustangs, where he received the Duncan A. McLarty Award in 1982.[4] He became involved with the Ontario Soccer Association (OSA) as the association's treasurer and served on the executive committee.[3] During his tenure with the OSA, he contributed to the planning and construction of the Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan, Ontario.[3] When the Canadian Professional Soccer League was sanctioned by the OSA in 1998 he served in the capacity of a league director, and later as the league's treasurer.[3]

Canadian Professional Soccer League[edit]

In 2000, he was appointed the president/chairman of the CPSL.[5] Throughout his incumbency, he was able to acquire a television deal with Rogers TV, which enabled the launch of the CPSL Soccer Show which garnered the highest ratings of any other Sunday program shown on the channel.[6][7][8][9] Sponsorship agreements were made with Primus Canada, and the Government of Canada.[10][5] In 2001, the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) initiated a task force named the Canadian United Soccer League (CUSL), which formed a working partnership with the CPSL and the Canadian franchises in the USL A-League to forge a unified professional structure in the hopes of forming a Canadian first and second division domestic league.[11][12][13] A player agreement was conducted with the Toronto Lynx of the USL A-League, which provided the Lynx access to any CPSL talent upon request.[14][15] Another notable achievement was the opening of their domestic cup the Open Canada Cup in 2003 to all Canadian professional and amateur clubs to provide a potential candidate for the CONCACAF Champions' Cup.[16][17]

Canadian Soccer Association[edit]

In 2005 at the CPSL Annual General Meeting, he announced his resignation to fully delegate his time to his OSA obligations, and to seek election to the CSA board of directors.[18] In May 2005, he was elected to the CSA executive committee as director of finance.[19][20][21] He served as the head of delegation for the Canada men's national soccer team during the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF).[22] He was a member of the local organizing committee for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[22] In 2009, he was awarded the Aubrey Sanford Meritorious Award and shortly after resigned from the committee.[23][24] When he returned as chairman of the board to the CSL in 2011 he was granted a seat on the CSA Professional Soccer Committee as it was sanctioned by the CSA.

Canadian Soccer League[edit]

In 2011, he returned to his previous occupation as the chairman of the Canadian Soccer League (CSL) renamed from the CPSL in 2006.[25] The league's membership under Ursini's second administration expanded to a record amount of 28 teams in 2012 with 16 in the First division and 12 in the Second division.[26] Their media coverage was broadened with a television agreement with CogecoTV, and the reintroduction of their weekly television program was picked up by Rogers TV.[27] In 2013, the CSA unexpectedly de-sanctioned the CSL without due process.[28] The decision was made to implement the James Easton Report (Rethink Management Group Report) for the adoption of a new professional soccer structure.[29][30][31][32] As a member in good standing, Ursini represented the CSL in their appeal to the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC). The sport arbitrator ruled that the CSA had the right to de-sanction the CSL, but ruled that the immediate decisions conducted by the CSA were unreasonable and coercive.[33][34][35][36] The sports arbitrator forced them to reinstate sanctioning to the CSL until the next season for the CSA to fairly implement the Easton Report.[37][38][39]

In 2014, CSA expelled the CSL from its membership which forced the league to operate as a private league for the first time since the 1997 season in its predecessor league, and became a member of the Soccer Federation of Canada.[40][41] Since the CSA de-certification of the CSL, several reforms and achievements were made under Ursini as the restrictions on import players were lifted, and a working relationship was formed with the American Soccer League (ASL).[42][43][44] A television agreement was made with Ethnic Channels Group, and beIN Sports to broadcast their television program, and revived their sponsorship deal with Givova in 2016.[45][46][47][48] Affiliations were formed with the Ontario Youth Soccer Association to establish a YSA Division to house the CSL academy teams and with the Canadian Corporate Soccer League in developing a structure of competition for the city's corporate clubs in Toronto.[49]

Actor[edit]

Ursini is also involved with the Blackhorse Village Players as a stage actor, where he has appeared in plays such as A Red Plaid Shirt, The Psychic, Office Hours, and The Red Velvet Cake War.[50][51][52][53]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Vincent Ursini Returns to CSL--League annual meeting confirms appointment". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. CSL press release. March 14, 2011. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  2. ^ a b "Alumni of Canada | Ivey Business School at Western University". ca.alumnius.net. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  3. ^ a b c d "CPSL's URSINI STEPS DOWN - Resigns to devote his time to Ontario, perhaps CSA". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. CPSL press release. February 28, 2005. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  4. ^ "UWO Men's Soccer Hall of Fame". publish.uwo.ca. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  5. ^ a b "2000 - Nov. 8 - Chairman's Report 2000". 2001-05-30. Archived from the original on May 30, 2001. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  6. ^ "August 23, 2004 CPSL Vince Ursini interview (from NUKE soccer)". rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  7. ^ "2001 - Aug 3 - CPSL Launches TV Soccer Show". February 28, 2002. Archived from the original on February 28, 2002. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  8. ^ "CPSL - Canadian Professional Soccer League". January 23, 2003. Archived from the original on January 23, 2003. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  9. ^ "CPSL - Canadian Professional Soccer League". August 22, 2003. Archived from the original on August 22, 2003. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  10. ^ "2001 - Sept 17 - CPSL Benefits from Government Sponsorship". February 24, 2002. Archived from the original on February 24, 2002. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  11. ^ "2001 - Nov. 1 - CPSL, CUSL to Join Forces". December 18, 2001. Archived from the original on December 18, 2001. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  12. ^ "CPSL - Canadian Professional Soccer League". April 23, 2003. Archived from the original on April 23, 2003. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  13. ^ "A MUCH NEEDED STRONGER PROFESSIONAL SOCCER STRUCTURE NOT ON THE HORIZON | Canadian Soccer League". May 27, 2017. Archived from the original on May 27, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  14. ^ Da Costa, Norman (April 19, 2002). "Hartrells defy odds to keep Lynx alive". Toronto Star. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  15. ^ "2002 - Feb. 26 - CPSL signs Player Agreement with Toronto Lynx". August 5, 2002. Archived from the original on August 5, 2002. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  16. ^ "CPSL - Canadian Professional Soccer League". October 28, 2003. Archived from the original on October 28, 2003. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  17. ^ Terra, Lino (May 15, 2003). "CPSL Reloaded". rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Ontario Soccer Web. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  18. ^ "CPSL gets new commissioner". St. Catharines Standard. April 13, 2005. p. C3.
  19. ^ "Montagliani, Ursini and Traficante Elected to CSA Executive". www.canadasoccer.com. May 15, 2005. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  20. ^ Mallett, Peter (September 12, 2007). "SOCCER: Changes needed, CSA officials say". The Globe and Mail. p. S3.
  21. ^ Meagher, John (May 26, 2005). "Ile Bizard teen helps Canada secure victory over Haiti". Montreal Gazette. p. F11.
  22. ^ a b "Canada Soccer". canadasoccer.com. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  23. ^ "Association celebrates award winners | Canadian Soccer". canadasoccer.com. May 2, 2009. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  24. ^ "Association elects new officers". canadasoccer.com. May 2, 2009. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  25. ^ "CSL leadership". Newspapers.com. The Windsor Star. March 15, 2011. p. 21. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
  26. ^ "Record 16 Teams CSL's Six-Month Long First Division Campaign". rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. CSL press release. April 3, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  27. ^ "CSL's Annual Conference Upbeat". rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. CSL press release. March 19, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  28. ^ March 14, Darryl G. Smart Published on; March 14, 2013 | Last Updated; Edt, 2013 3:15 Pm (2013-03-14). "Soccer league at odds with governing body". Brantford Expositor. Retrieved 2020-02-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  29. ^ "CSL To Take Whatever Action is Necessary to Overturn CSL Decision to De-Sanction". rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. CSL press release. February 22, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  30. ^ "Canadian Soccer League to fight decertification". Toronto Star. March 5, 2013. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  31. ^ "Canadian Soccer League's standing with the Canadian Soccer Association | Canada Soccer". www.canadasoccer.com. February 11, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  32. ^ Rowaan, David (March 16, 2013). "Canadian Soccer League de-sanctioning leaves student-athletes questioning options". Soccer Wire. Archived from the original on June 20, 2018. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  33. ^ "Canadian Soccer Association allowed to de-sanction CSL | CBC Sports". The Canadian Press. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. April 23, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  34. ^ Smith, Cory. "CSA ordered to sanction CSL for one more season". St. Catharines Standard. Archived from the original on March 28, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  35. ^ "Canadian Soccer Association right to de-sanction Canadian Soccer League upheld by Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada | Canada Soccer". www.canadasoccer.com. April 23, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  36. ^ "Canadian Soccer League". Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  37. ^ "CSL Reinstated as CSA-Sanctioned League". rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. CSL press release. April 21, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  38. ^ TSN (October 17, 2016), Fan 590 - The Soccer Show - Doneil Henry (TFC) & Vincent Ursini (CSL), retrieved December 15, 2017
  39. ^ DiBattista, Mike (2013-04-24). "CSL granted CSA sanction for one more season". NiagaraFallsReview.ca. Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  40. ^ "CSL JOINS NEWLY-FORMED SOCCER FEDERATION......promises prospective teams more achievable pro standards". rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. CSL press release. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  41. ^ Ault, Bill (May 12, 2014). "CSL Keeps On Kicking". CanadaKicks. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  42. ^ "CSL OWNERS PLAN BUSY UPCOMING SEASON…The weekend meeting | Canadian Soccer League". canadiansoccerleague.ca. March 19, 2015. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  43. ^ "Partnership with American Soccer League a Historic Occasion | Canadian Soccer League". canadiansoccerleague.ca. March 13, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  44. ^ Ault, Bill (May 12, 2014). "CSL Keeps On Kicking". CanadaKicks. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
  45. ^ Adamson, Stan (July 13, 2016). "CANADIAN SOCCER LEAGUE AND GIVOVA REVIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIP… return of CSL Soccer Show | Canadian Soccer League". canadiansoccerleague.ca. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  46. ^ "THE CSL THIS WEEK RETURNS…..Popular television show back on air | Canadian Soccer League". canadiansoccerleague.ca. June 20, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  47. ^ Adamson, Stan (July 16, 2016). "CSL WEEKLY TELEVISION SHOW RENAMED……Givova CSL Primetime | Canadian Soccer League". canadiansoccerleague.ca. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  48. ^ Adamson, Stan (July 21, 2016). "Givova CSL Primetime Tonight | Canadian Soccer League". canadiansoccerleague.ca. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  49. ^ "CSL partners with the Youth Soccer Association". November 27, 2016. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  50. ^ "Blackhorse Village Players break out the plaid for show in Caledon". Simcoe.com. Alliston Herald. 2019-04-05. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  51. ^ "'The Psychic' a sensational success at Blackhorse". Caledon Citizen. 2020-01-23. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  52. ^ Ritchie, Anne (January 14, 2015). "Office Hours worth every minute at Blackhorse". caledoncitizen.com. Caledon Citizen. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  53. ^ Ritchie, Anne (2019-11-06). "Blackhorse Village Player's serves up a whomping success by Anne Ritchie". CaledonEnterprise.com. Caledon Enterprise. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vince_Ursini&oldid=1218389798"