Vince Ursini Explained

Vince Ursini
Office:Chairman/President of Canadian Soccer League
Birth Date:1960 9, mf=yes
Term Start:2011
Term End:2016
Office2:Chairman/President of Canadian Professional Soccer League
Term Start2:2000
Term End2:2005
Alma Mater:Ivey Business School of University of Western Ontario
Predecessor:Domenic Di Gironimo (as CSL commissioner)
Successor:Dragan Bakoc
Predecessor2:Michael Di Biase
Successor2:Cary Kaplan (as CSL commissioner)

Vincent Ursini (born September 19, 1960) is a Canadian accountant, former soccer executive, and stage actor.

Originally a soccer player Ursini drifted to the administrative duties of soccer. Initially serving at the regional association levels he ultimately was elected to the Ontario Soccer Association board of directors. During his tenure with the Ontario Soccer Association, he became involved with the Canadian Professional Soccer League (CPSL). In 2000, he was named the chairman/president of the CPSL and established the league within the Ontario soccer structure. In 2005, he was elected to the Canadian Soccer Association board of directors as the director of finance.

He returned to the CPSL in 2011 under the re-branded name Canadian Soccer League (CSL) under the same capacity of chairman/president. After his resignation from the CSL in 2017 he became involved with the Blackhorse Village Players Theater in Caledon, Ontario as a stage actor.

Soccer administrator

Ontario Soccer Association

Ursini graduated from Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario in 1983 with a bachelor's in business administration.[1] [2] He found employment in financial services as an accountant and consultant. He originally played soccer before transitioning to an administrative capacity in the North York and York Region soccer districts.[3] He played at the college level with the Western Mustangs, where he received the Duncan A. McLarty Award in 1982.[4] He became involved with the Ontario Soccer Association (OSA) as the association's treasurer and served on the executive committee. During his tenure with the OSA, he contributed to the planning and construction of the Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan, Ontario. When the Canadian Professional Soccer League was sanctioned by the OSA in 1998 he served in the capacity of a league director, and later as the league's treasurer.

Canadian Professional Soccer League

In 2000, he was appointed the president/chairman of the CPSL.[5] Throughout his incumbency, he was able to acquire a television deal with Rogers TV, which enabled the launch of the CPSL Soccer Show which garnered the highest ratings of any other Sunday program shown on the channel.[6] [7] [8] [9] Sponsorship agreements were made with Primus Canada, and the Government of Canada.[10] In 2001, the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) initiated a task force named the Canadian United Soccer League (CUSL), which formed a working partnership with the CPSL and the Canadian franchises in the USL A-League to forge a unified professional structure in the hopes of forming a Canadian first and second division domestic league.[11] [12] [13] A player agreement was conducted with the Toronto Lynx of the USL A-League, which provided the Lynx access to any CPSL talent upon request.[14] [15] Another notable achievement was the opening of their domestic cup the Open Canada Cup in 2003 to all Canadian professional and amateur clubs to provide a potential candidate for the CONCACAF Champions' Cup.[16] [17]

Canadian Soccer Association

In 2005 at the CPSL Annual General Meeting, he announced his resignation to fully delegate his time to his OSA obligations, and to seek election to the CSA board of directors.[18] In May 2005, he was elected to the CSA executive committee as director of finance.[19] [20] [21] He served as the head of delegation for the Canada men's national soccer team during the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF).[22] He was a member of the local organizing committee for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup. In 2009, he was awarded the Aubrey Sanford Meritorious Award and shortly after resigned from the committee.[23] [24] When he returned as chairman of the board to the CSL in 2011 he was granted a seat on the CSA Professional Soccer Committee as it was sanctioned by the CSA.

Canadian Soccer League

In 2011, he returned to his previous occupation as the chairman of the Canadian Soccer League (CSL) renamed from the CPSL in 2006.[25] The league's membership under Ursini's second administration expanded to a record amount of 28 teams in 2012 with 16 in the First division and 12 in the Second division.[26] Their media coverage was broadened with a television agreement with CogecoTV, and the reintroduction of their weekly television program was picked up by Rogers TV.[27] In 2013, the CSA unexpectedly de-sanctioned the CSL without due process.[28] The decision was made to implement the James Easton Report (Rethink Management Group Report) for the adoption of a new professional soccer structure.[29] [30] [31] [32] As a member in good standing, Ursini represented the CSL in their appeal to the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC). The sport arbitrator ruled that the CSA had the right to de-sanction the CSL, but ruled that the immediate decisions conducted by the CSA were unreasonable and coercive.[33] [34] [35] [36] The sports arbitrator forced them to reinstate sanctioning to the CSL until the next season for the CSA to fairly implement the Easton Report.[37] [38]

In 2014, CSA expelled the CSL from its membership which forced the league to operate as a private league for the first time since the 1997 season in its predecessor league, and became a member of the Soccer Federation of Canada.[39] [40] Since the CSA de-certification of the CSL, several reforms and achievements were made under Ursini as the restrictions on import players were lifted, and a working relationship was formed with the American Soccer League (ASL).[41] [42] [43] A television agreement was made with Ethnic Channels Group, and beIN Sports to broadcast their television program, and revived their sponsorship deal with Givova in 2016.[44] [45] [46] [47] Affiliations were formed with the Ontario Youth Soccer Association to establish a YSA Division to house the CSL academy teams and with the Canadian Corporate Soccer League in developing a structure of competition for the city's corporate clubs in Toronto.[48]

Actor

Ursini is also involved with the Blackhorse Village Players as a stage actor, where he has appeared in plays such as A Red Plaid Shirt, The Psychic, Office Hours, and The Red Velvet Cake War.[49] [50] [51] [52]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: March 14, 2011. Vincent Ursini Returns to CSL--League annual meeting confirms appointment. 2020-02-16. www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. CSL press release.
  2. Web site: Alumni of Canada Ivey Business School at Western University. ca.alumnius.net. 2020-02-16.
  3. Web site: CPSL's URSINI STEPS DOWN - Resigns to devote his time to Ontario, perhaps CSA. February 28, 2005. www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. CPSL press release. 2020-02-16.
  4. Web site: UWO Men's Soccer Hall of Fame. publish.uwo.ca. 2020-02-16.
  5. Web site: 2000 - Nov. 8 - Chairman's Report 2000. 2001-05-30. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20010530093743/http://www.cpsl.org/releases/2000/2000nov8.htm. May 30, 2001. 2020-02-16.
  6. Web site: August 23, 2004 CPSL Vince Ursini interview (from NUKE soccer). rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. December 13, 2017.
  7. Web site: 2001 - Aug 3 - CPSL Launches TV Soccer Show. February 28, 2002. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20020228010728/http://cpsl.org/releases/2001/2001aug3b.htm. February 28, 2002. December 13, 2017.
  8. Web site: CPSL - Canadian Professional Soccer League. January 23, 2003. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20030123084421/http://www.cpsl.ca/news.asp?news=8. January 23, 2003. December 13, 2017.
  9. Web site: CPSL - Canadian Professional Soccer League. August 22, 2003. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20030822133235/http://www.cpsl.ca/mediareleases.asp?media=13. August 22, 2003. December 20, 2017.
  10. Web site: 2001 - Sept 17 - CPSL Benefits from Government Sponsorship. February 24, 2002. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20020224202358/http://cpsl.org/releases/2001/2001sept17.htm. February 24, 2002. December 13, 2017.
  11. Web site: 2001 - Nov. 1 - CPSL, CUSL to Join Forces. December 18, 2001. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20011218105709/http://www.cpsl.org/releases/2001/2001nov1.htm. December 18, 2001. December 13, 2017.
  12. Web site: CPSL - Canadian Professional Soccer League. April 23, 2003. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20030423083152/http://www.cpsl.ca/news.asp?news=13. April 23, 2003. December 13, 2017.
  13. Web site: A MUCH NEEDED STRONGER PROFESSIONAL SOCCER STRUCTURE NOT ON THE HORIZON Canadian Soccer League. May 27, 2017. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170527165746/http://canadiansoccerleague.ca/a-much-needed-stronger-professional-soccer-structure-not-on-the-horizen/. May 27, 2017. December 16, 2017.
  14. Web site: Hartrells defy odds to keep Lynx alive. Da Costa. Norman. April 19, 2002. Toronto Star. December 13, 2017.
  15. Web site: 2002 - Feb. 26 - CPSL signs Player Agreement with Toronto Lynx. August 5, 2002. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20020805174325/http://www.cpsl.org/releases/2002/2002feb26.htm. August 5, 2002. December 13, 2017.
  16. Web site: CPSL - Canadian Professional Soccer League. October 28, 2003. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20031028160316/http://www.cpsl.ca/news.asp?news=45. October 28, 2003. December 13, 2017.
  17. Web site: CPSL Reloaded. Terra. Lino. May 15, 2003. rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Ontario Soccer Web. December 13, 2017.
  18. News: April 13, 2005. CPSL gets new commissioner. C3. St. Catharines Standard.
  19. Web site: Montagliani, Ursini and Traficante Elected to CSA Executive. May 15, 2005. www.canadasoccer.com. 2020-02-16.
  20. News: Mallett. Peter. September 12, 2007. SOCCER: Changes needed, CSA officials say. S3. The Globe and Mail.
  21. News: Meagher. John. May 26, 2005. Ile Bizard teen helps Canada secure victory over Haiti. F11. Montreal Gazette.
  22. Web site: Canada Soccer. canadasoccer.com. 2020-02-16.
  23. Web site: Association celebrates award winners Canadian Soccer. May 2, 2009. canadasoccer.com. 2020-02-16.
  24. Web site: Association elects new officers. May 2, 2009. canadasoccer.com. 2020-02-16.
  25. Web site: March 15, 2011. CSL leadership. 2020-06-14. Newspapers.com. The Windsor Star. 21. en.
  26. Web site: Record 16 Teams CSL's Six-Month Long First Division Campaign. April 3, 2012. rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. CSL press release. December 15, 2017.
  27. Web site: CSL's Annual Conference Upbeat. March 19, 2012. rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. CSL press release. December 15, 2017.
  28. Web site: Soccer league at odds with governing body. March 14. Darryl G. Smart Published on. March 14. 2013 Last Updated. 2013-03-14. Brantford Expositor. en-US. 2020-02-16. Edt. 2013 3:15 Pm.
  29. Web site: CSL To Take Whatever Action is Necessary to Overturn CSL Decision to De-Sanction. February 22, 2013. rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. CSL press release. December 15, 2017.
  30. News: Canadian Soccer League to fight decertification. March 5, 2013. Toronto Star. December 15, 2017. 0319-0781.
  31. Web site: Canadian Soccer League's standing with the Canadian Soccer Association Canada Soccer. February 11, 2013. www.canadasoccer.com. December 15, 2017.
  32. News: Rowaan. David. Canadian Soccer League de-sanctioning leaves student-athletes questioning options. March 16, 2013. Soccer Wire. March 5, 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180620232145/https://www.soccerwire.com/news/csl-sanctioning-ocaa-oua-ccaa-cis-eligibility-soccer/. June 20, 2018.
  33. News: Canadian Soccer Association allowed to de-sanction CSL CBC Sports. April 23, 2013. The Canadian Press. December 15, 2017. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
  34. Web site: CSA ordered to sanction CSL for one more season. Smith. Cory. St. Catharines Standard. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170328105427/http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2013/04/24/csl-granted-csa-sanction-for-one-more-season. March 28, 2017. December 15, 2017.
  35. Web site: Canadian Soccer Association right to de-sanction Canadian Soccer League upheld by Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada Canada Soccer. April 23, 2013. www.canadasoccer.com. December 15, 2017.
  36. Web site: Canadian Soccer League. dead. https://archive.today/20130628210122/http://canadiansoccerleague.com/newsnet/templates/?a=694&z=5. June 28, 2013. May 21, 2013.
  37. Web site: CSL Reinstated as CSA-Sanctioned League. April 21, 2013. rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. CSL press release. December 15, 2017.
  38. Web site: CSL granted CSA sanction for one more season. DiBattista. Mike. 2013-04-24. NiagaraFallsReview.ca. Niagara Falls Review. en-CA. 2020-02-16.
  39. Web site: CSL JOINS NEWLY-FORMED SOCCER FEDERATION......promises prospective teams more achievable pro standards. rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. CSL press release. November 11, 2017.
  40. Web site: CSL Keeps On Kicking. Ault. Bill. May 12, 2014. CanadaKicks. en-US. 2020-02-16.
  41. Web site: CSL OWNERS PLAN BUSY UPCOMING SEASON…The weekend meeting Canadian Soccer League. March 19, 2015. canadiansoccerleague.ca. December 16, 2017.
  42. Web site: Partnership with American Soccer League a Historic Occasion Canadian Soccer League. March 13, 2014. canadiansoccerleague.ca. December 16, 2017.
  43. Web site: Ault. Bill. May 12, 2014. CSL Keeps On Kicking. 2021-02-15. CanadaKicks. en-US.
  44. Web site: CANADIAN SOCCER LEAGUE AND GIVOVA REVIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIP… return of CSL Soccer Show Canadian Soccer League. Adamson. Stan. July 13, 2016. canadiansoccerleague.ca. December 16, 2017.
  45. Web site: THE CSL THIS WEEK RETURNS…..Popular television show back on air Canadian Soccer League. June 20, 2016. canadiansoccerleague.ca. December 16, 2017.
  46. Web site: CSL WEEKLY TELEVISION SHOW RENAMED……Givova CSL Primetime Canadian Soccer League. Adamson. Stan. July 16, 2016. canadiansoccerleague.ca. December 16, 2017.
  47. Web site: Givova CSL Primetime Tonight Canadian Soccer League. Adamson. Stan. July 21, 2016. canadiansoccerleague.ca. December 16, 2017.
  48. Web site: CSL partners with the Youth Soccer Association. November 27, 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20161127153126/http://csloysa.ca/index.php/news/11-csl-partners-with-ontario-youth-soccer-association-youth-division-with-csl-academy. November 27, 2016. December 16, 2017.
  49. Web site: Blackhorse Village Players break out the plaid for show in Caledon. 2019-04-05. Simcoe.com. Alliston Herald. en-CA. 2020-02-16.
  50. Web site: 'The Psychic' a sensational success at Blackhorse. 2020-01-23. Caledon Citizen. en. 2020-02-16.
  51. Web site: Office Hours worth every minute at Blackhorse. Ritchie. Anne. January 14, 2015. caledoncitizen.com. Caledon Citizen. 2020-02-16.
  52. Web site: Blackhorse Village Player's serves up a whomping success by Anne Ritchie. Ritchie. Anne. 2019-11-06. CaledonEnterprise.com. Caledon Enterprise. en-CA. 2020-02-16.

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