Image courtesy of Spezio Calcio
Princeton Soccer Alumni, Roberts ‘85 and Stillitano ‘81, to Lead Serie B Club Spezia
May 07, 2025 | Men's Soccer
PRINCETON, N.J. – Princeton soccer alums Thomas Roberts '85 and Charlie Stillitano '81 have become leaders of Italian professional football club Spezia Calcio after Roberts acquired the club last month, the team announced on April 30.
Roberts, a private equity investor, will be purchasing the club while Stillitano will represent him on the board of directors as president of the club.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to become part of the community here with this great club," said Roberts. "Charlie and I have known each other for many many years … and we're looking forward to bringing a level of stability to the club and to Spezia."
Spezia currently sits third in the Italian league Serie B with two games remaining in the regular season.
The top two teams in the league will be automatically promoted to Serie A at the conclusion of the season, with the other teams vying for a third spot in the playoffs. Spezia spent three seasons in Serie A before being relegated in 2023.
"We look to the future and the remainder of the season with a focus on the team and the community," said Roberts.
Stillitano played soccer at Princeton before coming on as an assistant coach under Head Coach Bob Bradley, who would go on to become coach of the U.S. men's national team.
During his tenure, Stillitano coached Roberts, a goalkeeper on the team who formerly held the record for most saves during a career at Princeton. His mark, 280, still ranks second all-time.
When he heard about the opportunity at Spezia, Stillitano reached out to Roberts to see if he would be interested, according to The Athletic.
Both Roberts and Stillitano have remained tied to soccer following their careers at Princeton.
With Major League Soccer's founding in the mid-1990s, Stillitano became the general manager of the New York/New Jersey MetroStars, now known as the New York Red Bulls.
He remained in the sports industry, most recently serving as president of TEG Sport for North America, a promotion company that helped organize a preseason match between Manchester United and Liverpool in South Carolina last summer. Stillitano also joined the board of directors at Spezia earlier this year through connections with the club.
Roberts has remained connected to the sport and to Princeton through his family, with sons Jack Roberts '21 and Harry Roberts '25 playing on and captaining the team. Princeton's home facility, Roberts Stadium, was also dedicated to him, as he and his wife Kristen were lead donors in its construction.
With hopes to build Spezia into a strong Serie A club, Roberts and Stillitano will extend Princeton soccer's impact overseas as they embark on this new challenge in La Spezia.
"I'm learning quickly how dedicated the fans and supporters of this team are and how much this community is behind the club," continued Roberts. "I'm very excited at the prospects of supporting that and being a good and thoughtful owner, and a good steward of this team that has been here a long time before us and will be a long time after."
To view the full press conference presenting Roberts and Stillitano, click here.
Roberts, a private equity investor, will be purchasing the club while Stillitano will represent him on the board of directors as president of the club.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to become part of the community here with this great club," said Roberts. "Charlie and I have known each other for many many years … and we're looking forward to bringing a level of stability to the club and to Spezia."
Spezia currently sits third in the Italian league Serie B with two games remaining in the regular season.
The top two teams in the league will be automatically promoted to Serie A at the conclusion of the season, with the other teams vying for a third spot in the playoffs. Spezia spent three seasons in Serie A before being relegated in 2023.
"We look to the future and the remainder of the season with a focus on the team and the community," said Roberts.
Stillitano played soccer at Princeton before coming on as an assistant coach under Head Coach Bob Bradley, who would go on to become coach of the U.S. men's national team.
During his tenure, Stillitano coached Roberts, a goalkeeper on the team who formerly held the record for most saves during a career at Princeton. His mark, 280, still ranks second all-time.
When he heard about the opportunity at Spezia, Stillitano reached out to Roberts to see if he would be interested, according to The Athletic.
Both Roberts and Stillitano have remained tied to soccer following their careers at Princeton.
With Major League Soccer's founding in the mid-1990s, Stillitano became the general manager of the New York/New Jersey MetroStars, now known as the New York Red Bulls.
He remained in the sports industry, most recently serving as president of TEG Sport for North America, a promotion company that helped organize a preseason match between Manchester United and Liverpool in South Carolina last summer. Stillitano also joined the board of directors at Spezia earlier this year through connections with the club.
Roberts has remained connected to the sport and to Princeton through his family, with sons Jack Roberts '21 and Harry Roberts '25 playing on and captaining the team. Princeton's home facility, Roberts Stadium, was also dedicated to him, as he and his wife Kristen were lead donors in its construction.
With hopes to build Spezia into a strong Serie A club, Roberts and Stillitano will extend Princeton soccer's impact overseas as they embark on this new challenge in La Spezia.
"I'm learning quickly how dedicated the fans and supporters of this team are and how much this community is behind the club," continued Roberts. "I'm very excited at the prospects of supporting that and being a good and thoughtful owner, and a good steward of this team that has been here a long time before us and will be a long time after."
To view the full press conference presenting Roberts and Stillitano, click here.
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