Princeton Soccer Chats With Charlie Stillitano '81 On All Things Soccer

The 2020 "season" is unlike any other in the history of Princeton Soccer, but the Tigers are making the most of an unprecedented situation and rallying generations of Tigers together to talk the sport they love so much.

On October 1, members of the current team and alumni ranging back over 40 years gathered to discuss the state of the sport and favorite memories with Princeton Soccer alum Charlie Stillitano '81.

An All-American captain for Princeton, Charlie has gone on to make an impact in the sport as an assistant coach at his alma mater and former president of the Friends of Princeton Soccer.

Over the past 30 years, he has helped grow the game at all levels in the United States and across the globe.

During the 1994 World Cup, Charlie served as a Venue Executive Director for the NY/NJ site, and then became the General Manager of the NY/NJ MetroStars of Major League Soccer and Vice Chairman and board member of the US Soccer Foundation. Charlie also served as Founder, President, and CEO of ChampionsWorld, L.L.C. from 2000-2006, and he helped launch the Creative Artist Agency in 2007, where he worked as a senior executive in the soccer business division until 2012. In 2013, Charlie co-founded Relevant Sports Group and helped create the preeminent pre-season tournament for European soccer, the International Champions Cup (ICC). Charlie is also a board member of Street Soccer USA and co-hosts "The Football Show," a pioneering radio talk show, every weekday morning from 7:00am–9:00am on Sirius XM FC (Channel 157). In 2017 Charlie was named to ESPN FC's Top 50, and the Score's Top 25, most influential people in world soccer. He has built strong relationships and friendships with the most powerful people in the sport for over 25 years, and we look forward to the opportunity to speak with him.

"What a tremendous experience this conversation was for our program," said Princeton men's soccer head coach Jim Barlow '91. "It was special to have so many years of Princeton Soccer together discussing our shared bond around the game and Princeton. Charlie and the group on the call represented the passion so many of us have for Princeton Soccer. We're proud to be able to bring this type of experience to our players and supporters."

The evening featured a wide-ranging conversation that covered everything from Stillitano's path to Princeton, his time working as a venue Director during the 1994 World Cup, and the decades of working as a top executive in the game since then. Among other things, he told hilarious stories from his journeys around the globe, spoke on how soccer can grow as a game by supporting and enforcing social justice efforts, and gave his thoughts on the current state of the USMNT and the sport of soccer in general.

"Right now, our focus is on keeping our team engaged and excited about the opportunities we do have to get better," said Barlow. "I am thankful to Charlie for taking the time to share with our group. It was a reminder for all of us on why we love soccer, why we love Princeton and why we're excited to back together when the appropriate time comes.

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