Thursday, May 23, 2013
The Colorado Rush are in their fourth season in the W-League and continue to produce some of the top female soccer talent in the country. One of the most recognizable club brands in North America, the Rush count rising U.S. Women’s National Team star Lindsey Horan among their alumni.
Rush Technical Director Erik Bushey recently took the time to answer our questions about owning and operating a W-League franchise.
What inspired you to acquire a USL franchise?
It is important for us to have a ‘first team,’ a ‘top of the pyramid,’ if you will, for our youth club. Youth development is fundamental to who we are. A place for elite players to come back and play for our club is also a critical component for us.
What is your favorite aspect of owning a USL franchise/team?
It brings a professional element to our club and a different kind of exposure for our top youth athletes.
What differentiates your franchise from others?
Our team is comprised of youth players, college and former professional players. On several occasions our starting lineup has had an average age of 18 years. Eighty to ninety percent of our players are currently or are former Rush products.
What words of advice would you provide to potential franchise owners?
For me personally, there is nothing more important than the soccer product that is placed on the field. Our young players need a quality game with good people to look up to. However, from an overall standpoint, it is not the quality of soccer that will encourage fans to return and potential fans to come, it is the environment that franchises create. Figure out a way to put on a show. Soccer is not enough to entertain. Create the environment.
Where do you see your franchise in 3-5 years?
I’d like to say that I see us as a consistent division champion competing for a national championship. I expect us to have a consistent model of using the W-League to help us develop the best youth players in the country, to provide a quality environment for those players filling the void between their college seasons, and successfully utilizing senior players from around the world and former pros from here in the states.
What is the most challenging aspect of your franchise/team?
No surprise here, but finances are critical. Trying to find a balance between recruiting elite players and all the logistics that accompany that, treating our players like true professionals (equipment, gear, travel, etc.) and ending with a bottom line that is favorable to club and owners.
What is your franchise’s greatest accomplishment to date?
With our unique setup we have finished as high as third in the table and are in contention for playoffs each year, it seems. We are open to top players coming into our club from all around the world but take great pride in the impact we have made by utilizing our Colorado Rush players and Colorado Rush alumni.
What traits do you find valuable when adding members to your staff?
Those traits that match our club’s 11 Core Values: Accountability, Advice, Empathy, Enjoyment, Humility, Leadership, Passion, Respect, Safety, Tenacity and Unity. This is what we preach to our players on a daily basis. I hope our staff can prove to be an example. We hope to help develop good players to be good people [and vice versa!].
How does your previous employment/business experience translate into running a successful sports franchise?
Admittedly, we are young. Our infrastructure has long been in place prior to the formation of our W-League team. We have a deep staff [both technical and administrative] that, though fundamentally has been charged with the responsibility of running a youth organization, has been able to transition somewhat seamlessly into a senior pro/am operating group.
Who has been the greatest influence in your career? Please explain.
Our President, Tim Schulz, has no doubt been a tremendous influence on our operations on and off the field. We are a part of the largest youth soccer club in the world; that is a result of his drive and tenacity. We hope our program embodies this every day.