By Paul Kennedy

Sporting Kansas City unveiled Kansas City-based Ivy Funds, one of the fastest growing mutual fund families in the country over the last 10 years, as its first-ever jersey sponsor at the 2013 MLS SuperDraft.

The sponsorship agreement also provides Ivy Funds with naming rights to the Executive Suite level at Sporting Park, entertainment at the stadium for clients and employees, as well as engagement opportunities with Sporting KC players for charitable efforts and appearances.

"Sporting Club is an exemplary franchise on and off the field, and we look forward to growing with them as soccer rapidly cements its place among professional sports in the United States, as it already has globally," said Thomas Butch, CEO and President of Ivy Funds Distributor, Inc. "With its visionary management, world-class venue and talented, accessible players and coaches, Sporting Kansas City provides a great partner to further extend the Ivy Funds brand throughout the United States and abroad. We look forward to a broad-based, constructive partnership."

MLS AWARDS. Real Salt Lake President Bill Manning received the Doug Hamilton Executive of the Year award in recognition of the club’s growing metrics in key business areas, including tickets, corporate sponsorships and local television ratings.

2012 MLS Club and Executive Award Winners:
Doug Hamilton Executive of the Year – Bill Manning, Real Salt Lake
Ticket Sales Team of the Year – Portland Timbers
Ticketing Executive of the Year – Jake Reid, Sporting Kansas City
Marketing Executive of the Year – Andy Tretiak, Sporting Kansas City 
Corporate Partnerships Executive of the Year – Steve Powell, Houston Dynamo
Corporate Partnerships Team of the Year – Chicago Fire
Partnership Marketing/Activation Team of the Year – FC Dallas (Budweiser)
Local Digital Editor of the Year – TJ Ansley, Columbus Crew
Club Public Relations – San Jose Earthquakes
Merchandiser of the Year – John Moncke, Sporting Kansas City
Community Relations Department of the Year presented by MLS W.O.R.K.S. – Portland Timbers
Operations Staff of the Year – Houston Dynamo
MLS Team Administrator of the Year presented by Sportscorp Travel – Shant Kasparian, LA Galaxy
MLS Athletic Training Staff of the Year presented by Mueller Sports Medicine – Sporting Kansas City
Equipment Manager of the Year – Mike Flaherty, Sporting Kansas City

USA CUP HIRES SOEHN. The National Sports Center in Blaine, Minn., appointed former MLS coach Tom Soehn as its new director of soccer development and recruiting. In that position, Soehn will be responsible for team marketing and recruitment for Schwan’s USA CUP, the largest annual event held at the NSC and one of the largest youth soccer tournaments in the world. He will also be charged with developing the NSC’s soccer programs and events throughout the entire year.

“Schwan’s USA CUP is one of the most recognized brands in youth soccer, worldwide,” said Soehn in a statement. “I have great respect for the history and reputation of the tournament, and I am excited to help it grow in new ways. After spending so many years in professional soccer, I’m looking forward to devoting that same energy and passion toward building youth soccer.” 

Soehn was the head coach at D.C. United (2006-09) and interim head coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps (2011). He finished his career with the Whitecaps in 2012 as the director of soccer operations.
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