Rochester NY - Kick This ! started in late 1995 on WHTK 1280 in Rochester NY. Salvatore 'SS' Fantauzzo created the show to help promote the new pro team in town, the ROCHESTER RHINOS and American Pro Soccer including our US National Teams.The show offers an average of 51 new episodes per year and all shows can be heard right here at Soccersam.com thanks to Spinning Webs Internet & PC Services.
Producer Rich "Kicker" Jones has been with the show since day one. Rich has helped line up the biggest names in American Pro Soccer. Over the years Kick This has had some great Hosts and co-hosts devoting their time to help promote the Rhinos and Pro American Soccer.
Jeff Diveronica has been with the show since 1997. Jeff is the beat writer for the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle and covers the Rhinos, Syracuse Orangemen and High School sports. Click here to check out Jeff's blog - Devo's Direct Kicks.
James Weise, a long time listener and caller of the show, joined the staff in 2005 as news director. James weekly blog covers the world of soccer. Click here to check out James' blog.
Kick This ! is brought to you by Salvatore's Old Fashioned Pizzeria, Palmer's Food Service, Donuts Delite and Spinning Webs. Weekly Trivia prizes include gift cards to Salvatore's and Rochester Rhinos or Rochester Lancers game tickets. KICK THIS ! The SOCCER SAM SHOW live every Saturday 11:05 am eastern time on WHTK 1280 & 107.3 FM. You can also listen live and hear all past shows right here at Soccersam.com .. Thanks and Feel The Kick ..for life !
Doug Miller, The Legend, Joins the Rochester LancersNumber #19 to return to professional indoor soccer
September 7th, 2011
The Rochester Lancers have announced the signing of their first player. Doug Miller, the former Rochester Rhinos player and indoor soccer legend has signed with the Rochester Lancers Indoor Soccer Team. Head Coach, Billy Andracki said, "Doug is probably the best indoor player I have ever played with. I am sure that his determination and commitment will help us win a championship this season."
Doug Miller #19
Doug Miller forged his USL Hall of Fame career by leading the A-League in goals in 1996 and 1997. He will once again add to his achievements by becoming a member of the Rochester Lancers of the Major Indoor Soccer League. Not only has Doug scored 90 goals for the Rochester Rhinos, he has also tallied nearly 400 goals during his indoor soccer career. Doug was a part of championship teams for both indoor and with the Rhinos. He scored the game-winning goal in the 1999 US Open Cup final.
College Soccer Career:
Loyola College in Baltimore gave Miller the opportunity to take his soccer career from NJ to the NCAA Division I level. During his time at Loyola, he was a two-time team captain and was honored as the MAAC Conference Player of the Year. Miller has held the MAAC record for goals in a season since 1990 with 21 goals in 19 games.
Indoor Soccer Career:
Miller was the first pick in the 1991 NPSL Draft by the Kansas City Comets, but before he could suit up, the team folded. In October of that year the Baltimore Blast of the MISL signed him. Miller tallied two goals in 12 games during his rookie season. After the 1991-92 season, he was on the move again, landing with Harrisburg Heat of the NPSL. Miller’s indoor career started to take off in Harrisburg where he scored 61 goals in 65 games for the Heat over the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons. In March of 1994, Miller was traded from Harrisburg to the Cleveland Crunch, establishing his first team success as the Crunch won the 1994 NPSL Championship. In 1996, Miller was an integral part of the Crunch squad that once again captured the NPSL title. In just over two seasons with the Crunch, he totaled 96 goals in 74 games. After the 1995-96 season, he landed with the Buffalo Blizzard of the NPSL. Miller led the Blizzard in scoring in 1996-97, his first with the club. He also led the Blizzard to their first Northeast Conference Championship that season. In 1998-99, he led the NPSL in goals and scored 192 points for the Blizzard. When Miller’s career with the Blizzard ended in 2001 he had amassed 208 goals in 165 games for Buffalo.
Outdoor Soccer Career:
In the summer of 1994, Miller got his first taste of professional outdoor soccer with the NY Fever of the APSL. Two years later he became an original member of the Rochester Rhinos. During the club’s inaugural season in 1996, Miller led the USL’s A-League in goal scoring with 18, and was a First Team All-League selection. The Rhinos had team success, as well as reaching both the A-League and US Open Cup Title games. In 1997, Miller raised the bar during the A-League’s regular season as he led the league in goals (23) and points (51), naming him to the All-League First Team, as well as the Rhinos and A-League MVP. In 1998, he struggled with a knee injury that limited his playing time, but was still a part of the Rhinos first Championship squad that captured the A-League title over the Minnesota Thunder. In 1999, Miller was second on the Rhinos in regular season scoring with 16 points. The most lasting memory of Miller in 1999 was when he was able to come off the bench and score the game-winning goal in the US Open Cup Final against the Colorado Rapids. Miller took the 2000 outdoor season off and rejoined the outdoor game mid-way through the 2001 season with the Hershey Wildcats. The Wildcats advanced to the A-League Championship game where he returned to Frontier Field as an opponent. Miller resigned to the Rhinos in 2003 and had another amazing season. He led the Rhinos with 17 regular season goals in 2003, earning him Rhinos MVP and First Team All-League honors. Miller went on to play two more seasons with the Rhinos. In his final game as a Rhino in October of 2005, Miller was able to convert a penalty kick against the Richmond Kickers. He was named as the Rhinos Tenth Anniversary Elite Eleven Team in 2005. In 2006, the Rhinos retired his #19 jersey and Miller was enshrined in the USL Hall of Fame in 2010. Miller still holds the Rhinos all-time record for total goals (90), regular season goals (75), and US Open Cup goals (7).
Personal:
Doug Miller resides in Greece, NY with his wife Kari and his two daughters, Kayla and Kalista. Doug owns the Doug Miller Family Sports Park in Spencerport where he holds Doug Miller Soccer Academy. He also will be opening Glacier Ridge (snow tubing) in the winter and runs a Salvatore’s Old Fashioned Pizzeria location.
Rochester Lancers announce coaching staff
Billy Andracki named Head Coach / GM
August 17th, 2011
The Rochester Lancers of the MISL held a press conference to introduce their 2011 coaching staff to friends of the organization and the Rochester media at the Total Sports Experience multi-purpose sports facility on Elmgrove Rd. The Lancers introduced former Rochester Rhinos' goalkeeper Billy Andracki as the franchise's first Head Coach and GM, and Rhinos' teammate Craig Demmin as assistant coach. The coaching staff also includes original Rochester Lancer Francisco Escos and Billy Ginther serving in the roles of assistant coaches.
Among the notable attendees at the press conference was former Rochester Lancer and current Rhinos' GM Pat Ercoli, and former Rhinos' MVP goalkeeper & current WNY Flash assistant coach Scott Vallow.
The Rochester Lancers are set to begin play for the 2011-2012 MISL season in November 2011 at the Blue Cross Arena in downtown Rochester.
Billy Andracki
Head Coach
Billy Andracki is a Rochester soccer legend and the first head coach in the history of the MISL’s Rochester Lancers. Andracki first came upon the Rochester soccer landscape as the starting goalkeeper of the Rochester Rhinos in 1996 as he helped lead the first year club to the A-League and US Open Cup Championship games. Andracki was a goalkeeper with the Rhinos from 1996 through 2003 and was a member of all three A-League Championship and the 1999 US Open Cup Championship Rhinos teams. Billy returned to the Rhinos in 2006 as their goalkeeping coach and the 2011 season marked his sixth season on the Rhinos coaching staff.
College Soccer Career: Prior to turning professional, Andracki starred at Mercer County Community College where he was a 1988 NJCAA First Team All American and a member of the 1989 Junior College National Champions. Andracki has been inducted into both the Mercer County Community College and NJCAA Halls of Fame. Andracki then moved on to Rutgers University where he led the Scarlet Knights to the 1990 NCAA Division 1 Soccer Championship, finishing as runners up to the UCLA Bruins. He followed that up with a third team All American season in 1991.
Indoor Soccer Career: In September of 1992, Andracki was selected in the first round (ninth overall) of the NPSL draft by the Milwaukee Wave. Before he ever played a game for the Wave, Andracki was traded to the Cleveland Crunch. Andracki spent three seasons with the Crunch, including winning the 1994 NPSL Championship.
In June of 1995, Andracki was selected by the Tampa Bay Terror in the NPSL Expansion Draft. After playing in 29 games in Tampa Bay, Andracki was traded from the Terror to the Chicago Power late in the 1995-96 season. In the fall of 1996, Andracki signed with the Philadelphia Kixx of the NPSL.
In 1997, Andracki signed with the Buffalo Blizzard. Andracki played in 62 games in his Buffalo career.
Outdoor Soccer Career: In 1992, Andracki started his professional career with the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the APSL winning the Rookie of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year awards, and was named Soccer Digest’s Player of the Year. When the Rowdies folded following the 1993 season, Andracki signed with the Atlanta Magic midway through the 1994 USISL season. In 1995, Andracki made the move to the A-League’s Atlanta Ruckus.
Andracki signed with the expansion Rochester Rhinos ahead of the 1996 A-League season. In 1996, Andracki played in 27 league games for the Rhinos and led the team to the A-League Championship Game against the Seattle Sounders. Andracki injured his face in the first half of the game, but he returned to play for the Rhinos in the US Open Cup Final against DC United.
Andracki went on to play for the Rhinos through the 2003 season. In 1998, Andracki went on loan to the MetroStars and the Miami Fusion of MLS. He played in one MLS game for the Fusion against the Columbus Crew on September 10, 1998. When Andracki retired he held the club records for career wins and saves. Andracki’s 55 career wins is now second in club history to Scott Vallow. Andracki also ranks in the club’s all-time top ten in games started (103) and minutes played (9533).
Personal: Andracki resides in Greece with his wife Kim, son Brandon and daughter Alyssa.
Craig Demmin
Assistant Coach
Craig Demmin joins the Rochester Lancers coaching staff after a long playing career that includes duty for Trinidad and Tobago at the international level and being one of the all time greats in Rochester Rhinos history.
College Soccer Career: Craig played four years for Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi. While playing for the Blazers, Demmin was a four time NAIA All American selection, four time team MVP, and a team captain. He also helped the Blazers win the 1992 NAIA National Championship. Craig has had his number 15 jersey retired by the Blazers and he’s been inducted into the Belhaven Sports Hall of Fame.
Professional Soccer Career: Craig started his pro career in Scotland with East Fife where he played in 9 games between 1995 and 1997. Craig then returned to the US to captain the PDL’s Jackson Chargers before moving on to the A-League’s Colorado Foxes for six games. In 1998, Demmin made his debut with the Rochester Rhinos. During Craig’s first three seasons in Rochester, he was named the team MVP each season, he was named to the A-League’s First Team each season, and in 2000 he was named the A-League Defender of the Year. Demmin was also a part of two A-League Championships teams and the 1999 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Champions during those three seasons. In 2001, Craig made the jump to the MLS with the Tampa Bay Mutiny where he saw action in 19 regular season matches. Demmin returned to the Rhinos in 2002 and was named team MVP for a record fourth time in 2004. In 2005, Demmin was named to the Rhinos all-time team that was created to celebrate the first decade of the club’s existence. Craig then moved to the Virginia Beach Mariners for the 2006 season and played in one game for the PDL’s Mississippi Brilla in 2008.
International Soccer Career: Craig represented Trinidad and Tobago at the U-16, U-19, U-23, and Senior International levels. For the senior team, Demmin earned 13 caps, including starting for T&T during both 1998 and 2002 World Cup qualifying.
Coaching Career: Craig holds a USSF "A" license, has been an assistant under Tracey Britton with the National Champion Monroe Community College Women’s Team, and served as the player development coordinator for the Chili Soccer Association.
Personal: Demmin resides in Chili with his wife Sarah, and sons Drew and Jack.
Francisco Escos
Coaching Staff
Francisco Escos played for the Rochester Lancers for eight seasons in the NASL and now he joins the Lancers coaching staff in the MISL. Escos further solidified his place in the Rochester soccer community as an assistant coach with the Rochester Rhinos under Pat Ercoli.
Indoor Soccer Career: Francisco played in the MISL for the Buffalo Stallions in the 1979-80 and 1980-81 seasons where he scored 4 goals and added 12 assists in 37 games played.
Outdoor Soccer Career: Escos began his professional career at age 19 for Temperley in his native Argentina from 1961 through 1969. In 1970, Escos made the move to Estudiantes in what would be his final season in Argentina. In 1971, Escos moved to the US to play for the Rochester Lancers of the NASL. Escos would score 6 goals and 15 points in his first season with the Lancers. Francisco would go on to play 8 more seasons with the Lancers. His Lancers career ended with Escos having appeared 127 times for the Lancers and bagging 12 goals.
Coaching career: Escos was the assistant coach of the MISL Buffalo Stallions for 3 season. He coached the Buffalo Storm to first place in the Northern Division of the USL in 1984. Escos was also the assistant coach for the NPSL Buffalo Blizzard for 3 seasons with fellow Lancer Alumni Jim May. In 1986 Escos traveled with the Argentina National Team as they won the World Cup that year. Escos returned to the sidelines as a Rochester Rhinos assistant coach from 1996 - 2005.
Personal: Escos resides in Rochester, with wife Elena, his 3 children Andrea, Vanessa, Karina and 4 grandchildren Mateo, Cenon, Annabella and Luna.
William Ginther
Coaching Staff
Billy Ginther brings to the Rochester Lancers coaching staff over thirty years of coaching experience in the Rochester area. From coaching at the NCAA Division III level to coaching at all levels of youth soccer in the Rochester area, Ginther has a vast knowledge of local soccer including a US Soccer B Coaching License.
College Coaching Career: Billy began his collegiate coaching career over three decades ago as an assistant at his alma mater SUNY Brockport. He then moved on to an assistant position with the men’s program at RIT. Most recently, Ginther has been an assistant coach for the men’s soccer team at SUNY Geneseo.
Youth Coaching Career: Ginther has coached local youth soccer from the house level through travel programs, and all the way up to the USL’s Super Y League and the US Soccer Development Academy National League. Billy has been an Olympic Development Program Rochester District Coach. Some of the soccer clubs that Ginther has coached for include the Rochester Mavericks, the Rochester Junior Rhinos, and the Empire United Development Academy.
Personal: Billy is the CIO of Fulton, Friedman, Gullace LLP and received a BS in a Dual Major of Economics and Business Management with a specialization in International Business from the State University College at Brockport.
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