News Release
11/12/2003
Chris Lusvardi
(763) 785-3668
Thunder Steal Thunder At Annual USL Meetings
Team Receives 2003 Organization of the Year; George, Lagos, Engstrom, Club Inducted Into Hall of Fame
BLAINE, Minn. (Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003) – The Minnesota Thunder walked away with an unprecedented six awards at the United Soccer League’s annual operations meetings in Tampa this past weekend, it was announced today by league officials.
In addition to winning the league’s top honor -- the 2003 Organization of the Year -- the Thunder was represented in five USL Hall of Fame inductee awards. Thunder owner Bill George, head coach Buzz Lagos, and the organization were honored for its 10 years of service and contribution to the growth of the USL and the sport. Lagos, along with former general manager Tom Engstrom, were also inducted as founders of the club.
“Teams do not win hall of fame awards without loyal fans,” said Thunder president and general manager Jim Froslid. “The Thunder is fortunate to have great fans. We are also fortunate and need to recognize the impact that Bill George, coach Lagos, Tom Engstrom and all the past players and staff have had on this organization over the years. This is a great honor for our club, perhaps the greatest.”
The Thunder was founded by Lagos and Engstrom in 1990 and entered the USL in 1994 after four seasons as an amateur team. Since then, the team has reached five finals, four in the A-League, and won the 1999 A-League Championship. The team is one of the most successful in USL history with a regular season record of 161-76-13, and a post-season mark of 35-13-2, all under the ownership of George and tutelage of Lagos.
Off the field, the club has been one of USL’s leaders in attendance and marketing.
The club was recognized separately as the Organization of the Year, marking the second time (first in 1996) that the team has won the league’s top award. The Organization of the Year award is based on overall operations, including marketing, attendance, management, sportsmanship, facilities, and professionalism on and off the field.
The Minnesota Thunder, founded in 1990, is a professional soccer franchise that plays in the Western Conference of the 19-team A-League. The Thunder's home schedule runs May through September. Information on single-game and season tickets, as well as youth camps, can be found on the team's website www.mnthunder.com or by calling 763-785-3668.
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