United Soccer Leagues News Release
Monday, June 17, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer League is saddened to hear of the passing of Paul A. Heasley, the founder of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, who died at his home this past Saturday.
Heasley led the Riverhounds in the club’s inaugural season in the A-League in 1999, with the club’s current coach Justin Evans being the Riverhounds’ first-ever selection in the A-League Draft. Heasley’s support for soccer in Pittsburgh never diminished, even after the sale of the club to Sports Facility LLC in 2004, as it began its journey to the creation of Highmark Stadium.
“Paul will be remembered as one of the most positive figures in USL during his ownership of the Riverhounds,” USL President Tim Holt. “While we mourn his passing, his vision for the club was remarkable, and the work he began is continued today by Jason Kutney and the rest of the Riverhounds’ organization.”
In the club’s history, the Riverhounds have only retired one number, No. 99, in honor of Heasley and the year of the club’s establishment.