The Lincolnton Area Soccer Association (LASA) is a Federally

The Lincolnton Area Soccer Association (LASA) is a
Federally Registered 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization.
Established in 2013
The Lincolnton Area Soccer Association (LASA) has been formed as a tax deductible charitable organization
for the purpose of providing a fun, competitive, safe activity to the youth of our community. It is our belief
that providing structure and teamwork will help our youth stay focused and stay off the streets. There are
many studies that show that athletically engaged kids are far less likely to get in trouble and have better grades
in school. A recent University of Michigan study shows that “playing high school sports also increases their
(student-athletes) odds by 41% for graduating college compared to non-athletes”.
As you may know, soccer is exploding in our community. Recently, the Lincolnton Recreation Department
had over 450 kids from the age of 4 through 13 years in the spring 2013 season. This is a 400% growth in the
last 8 years.
This growth is the reason for the formation of LASA. We currently have 2 problems in our community. First,
the facilities in our community are sub-par. We currently do not have the facilities for continued growth at this
rate. The City of Lincolnton has a great facility on Highland Drive, but the truth is, we have outgrown this facility. The city has other properties that are currently being underutilized. For example, City Park cold be
converted for very little money to be a second facility for our kid’s league as opposed to any new construction.
Also, due to small budgets and economic difficulties with our school system, our middle and high school facilities in the county range from decent to practically dangerous. There are school facilities with uneven surfaces, patchy or non-existent grass, no score boards and goals with holes in the nets. LASA wants to help. We
want to help our city and our schools improve their facilities.
Secondly, after the age of 13, when kids need it the most, there are currently no offerings for organized soccer
outside school sports. Soccer is a truly a year round sport and we want to provide good volunteer adult supervision and training to these older youth by organizing tournament teams for the different age groups. We want
to help provide activities to all genders, races and socio-economic groups in our community. We have a good
group of parent volunteers, but need local businesses to get behind these volunteers and this program with financial support. This will build up our kids and community as we teach our children teamwork, work ethic
and pride in one’s successes and failures.
Join us today in our efforts. Partner with LASA! Give generously!
Edgar Campos
Director
Lincolnton Area Soccer Association
www.lincolntonsoccer.com
[email protected]
980-329-4673
Lincolnton Area Soccer Association ∙ PO Box 266 ∙ Lincolnton, NC 28093
COACHES: Manny Ibarra and Fernando Ibarra
Lincolnton Area Soccer Association ∙ PO Box 266 ∙ Lincolnton, NC 28093
COACH: Brian Whitaker
Lincolnton Area Soccer Association ∙ PO Box 266 ∙ Lincolnton, NC 28093
LAKE NORMAN CLASSIC FALL 2015 U12 CHAMPIONS
COACH: Ronald Bonilla
Lincolnton Area Soccer Association ∙ PO Box 266 ∙ Lincolnton, NC 28093
CVYSA AUTUMN BLAST U13 CHAMPIONS
COACHES:
Manny Ibarra
Jay Harrison
LAKE NORMAN CLASSIC FALL 2015 U13 CHAMPIONS
Lincolnton Area Soccer Association ∙ PO Box 266 ∙ Lincolnton, NC 28093
COACHES: Manny Ibarra and Fernando Ibarra
Lincolnton Area Soccer Association ∙ PO Box 266 ∙ Lincolnton, NC 28093
COACH: Tony Poppante
COACH: Gino Francovig
Lincolnton Area Soccer Association ∙ PO Box 266 ∙ Lincolnton, NC 28093
LAKE NORMAN CLASSIC FALL 2015 U16 CHAMPIONS
COACH: Jose Luis De Dios
Lincolnton Area Soccer Association ∙ PO Box 266 ∙ Lincolnton, NC 28093
LAKE NORMAN CLASSIC FALL 2015 U16 CHAMPIONS
COACH: Eric Radebaugh
Lincolnton Area Soccer Association ∙ PO Box 266 ∙ Lincolnton, NC 28093
Daniel Eric Radebaugh, President/U16 Boys Coach
Daniel moved to Lincolnton at age 5 in 1975. He is a graduate of Lincolnton High School and the University of North Carolina Charlotte. Daniel is a
small business owner in his 12th year of business.
Daniel has been a volunteer with the City of Lincolnton’s recreation department for nine years and is on the advisory committee for the city’s youth
sports activities. In addition, he coaches for the Lincolnton Middle School boys and girls soccer teams.
Daniel will be responsible for the business aspect of the Lincolnton Area Soccer Association. He will help to ensure the financial health of the association, and build awareness of the association within the community so that contributions to the association allow it to meet its goals of providing activities to all socio-economic levels, races, and genders.
Edgar Campos, Director/Coach
Born in Michoacán, Mexico and raised in Lincolnton, NC. Edgar is a graduate of Lincolnton High School and Gaston College with a degree in Architectural Engineering. Edgar joined the North Carolina National Guard in 1996 where he attended Basic Training, and Advanced Individual Training at
Fort Sill Oklahoma. He has also attended and graduated from several other military sanctioned schools.
In September of 2003, Edgar was called upon to serve his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. As a sergeant Edgar was in charge of a fifteen man
squad and was deemed the convoy commander on several resupply convoy operations. Edgar was also tasked with the training of the Iraqi Army. On
convoy operations, squad movement techniques, Basic Rifle Marksmanship and several other tactics that are key for the Iraqi Army’s survival.
Once again Edgar was called upon to serve his country in 2008, during operation Enduring Freedom. This time Edgar served as a Platoon Sergeant for
a Mechanized infantry Platoon. Edgar was responsible for millions of dollars of equipment and countless personnel. Edgar and his platoon worked to
bring stability to the Southern Baghdad province by creating drip irrigations programs for agriculture. His platoon also was responsible for the oversight of construction projects that included two schools, chicken houses and a soccer field. His platoon also played a key role along side of the Iraqi
army in the removal of Al Qaeda tribal members in the area with the direct support of the Iraqi Army.
Upon arrival from his deployments Edgar began his work with the Lincoln County Recreation Department as an assistant coach and as a head coach
in several different age groups. Edgar presently coaches in the U-8 and in the U-14 age groups in the Lincoln Rec. Department. He is also on the committee to try to bring an indoor soccer program to the county and All Star programs to the Rec. Department for a more competitive soccer program.
Edgar’s responsibilities within the association will be to director of coaching and player development. In addition, he will be responsible for
the development of the competitive aspect of the soccer program within the Lincoln Area Soccer Association. The purpose of competitive play within
Jose Luis De Dios, Director/U16 Girls Coach
Hi my name is Jose Luis De Dios. I am originally from Mexico. I came to Lincolnton, NC in 1981 and I have been here in the Lincoln county area
ever since. This is the place I call home.
I have two boys Jose Luis, David Lee and one girl Gabriela and my wife Araceli.
Ever since I migrated from Mexico to Lincoln county I have seen lots off changes on how the city has grown and many ways specially in the fields of
sports .I am very passionate about sports and personally I think that if you play any sport it can open many doors not only to the young at heart but
also to the old. I am very passionate about playing soccer but I also like to teach the sport in which I grew up.
When I first came to Lincolnton, the only sports around were American football, baseball and basketball. I played high school soccer in Mexico, and it
became my passion. At first, it was hard to find places to play or even enough people to get a game together. Now, thanks to our local recreation department, soccer is here and is here to stay. Through their youth soccer program, I got to meet Nathan Eurey and I joined with him and other volunteers in his organization and have been a part of growing the sport in our community.
As for soccer experience I can tell you that I have played and still play. I have also have coached within the recreation department, and for a private
soccer club in Gastonia, N.C.
I believe that having a Lincolnton soccer club not only will benefit the city, it will also benefit our kids from middle school and high school to help
them achieve the skills and knowledge that they need to move to the next level. In my years of watching our youth play the Lincoln county area has
lots of talented kids.
Together we can make not only better soccer teams but we can make better individuals that can go further in life through the teamwork, personal responsibility and dedication they learn from playing soccer.
Jose’s role within the organization will be as parent liaison, as he has a long term relationship with many of the youth and parents within our service
area. He has children in several age groups to be serviced and volunteers countless hours to our communities’ youth.
Lincolnton Area Soccer Association ∙ PO Box 266 ∙ Lincolnton, NC 28093
Edward Willis, Liaison
Ed Willis has been involved with local soccer for 13 years, from coaching Lincolnton Optimist and other nearby teams to refereeing games for Lincolnton Parks and Recreation. He was an assistant coach for LMS Soccer in 2009 when the team won the Tri-County Conference Championship. He
has experience as a parent with area soccer clubs: Gaston United Soccer Club (GUSC), Catawba Valley Soccer Club (CVYSA) and North Meck Soccer Club (NMSC) now known as the Carolina Rapids at the Challenge, Classic and Premier Levels of North Carolina Youth Soccer Association
(NCYSA). He has been exposed to the Olympic Development and US Soccer Academy programs through his kid’s involvement. Ed has seen the
local support for soccer grow from 100 kids playing in the annual fall league to well over 430 kids today playing two seasons per year. Ed is President of Jim Lail and Associates, Inc. based in Lincolnton, NC.
Ed’s responsibilities within the Lincolnton Area Soccer association will be the building and maintaining of relationship and legalities with national
and state youth soccer’s governing bodies the USSF, US-Club, and the NCYSA.
Nathan Eurey, Liaison
A native of Lincoln County, Nathan is a graduate of West Lincoln High School and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Nathan started with
the parks and recreation department as a part-time lifeguard during his summer’s home from college. After graduating in December 1998, Nathan
continued to work with the recreation department in a part-time capacity until October 1999 when he begin his career full-time as a Recreation Program Coordinator with the then Lincolnton / Lincoln County Parks and Recreation Department.
One of Nathan’s program responsibilities was, and still is, to oversee the fall youth soccer program. After taking over the reigns of the program in
1999, the program was still in its infancy, with about 90 participants playing for the recreation department. Over the next several years the program
continued to grow in numbers.
In July 2007, the recreation department split into a city-run recreation department, and a county-run recreation department. Nathan was hired by the
City of Lincolnton as their Recreation Program Coordinator, and continued to oversee the responsibilities of the fall soccer program. Seeing the
trending growth of the soccer program, Nathan felt there was a need to start a spring youth league. In the spring of 2008, the inaugural spring soccer
season kicked off with approximately 100 players.
In the fall of 2012, the league boasted a record 360 players enrolled to play fall soccer. Recently, the 2013 Spring season concluded and boasted a
record 456 players with 11 teams in the under 6 age division, 9 teams in the u8 age group, 4 girls teams and 6 boys teams in the under 11 age division,
and 4 girls teams and 5 boys teams in the u14 age division.
Nathan’s responsibilities are to be a liaison between the City of Lincolnton’s recreation department and the Lincolnton Area Soccer Association. Also
he will be responsible for developing a youth indoor soccer league for the 2013-2014 season. Also, he hopes to help in the establishment of a local
soccer club so as to allow some of the talented youth soccer players the ability to showcase their skills on a regional and state level. Nathan’s vision is
for this to expose these player’s to college recruiters, in hopes of them being offered college scholarships.
Lincolnton Area Soccer Association ∙ PO Box 266 ∙ Lincolnton, NC 28093
Manuel Ibarra-Avila, U10, U13 Boys and U14 Girls Coach
At the age of six, Manny and his family moved to Lincolnton from Durango, Mexico. Manny’s love for soccer began at this time when
he began playing for the U12 team. Throughout his middle and high school years, Manny continued playing soccer for both the
recreation department and on the school team. During his high school career, he was the first Lincolnton High School soccer player to
be named All Conference for all four years. During his sophomore year, he won the Most Improved Defensive Player award and was
listed as All Regional. In his junior year, he won the MVP award for Lincolnton High School. He began playing in adult soccer
leagues at the age of 14 and continues to play goal keeper for an adult league. He began coaching at the age of 18.
Jay Harrison, Director of Member Relations & U13 Boys Assistant Coach
John D. Harrison “Jay”, grew up in Gastonia, NC where he attended Hunter Huss High School. After high school Jay attended Gaston College and
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he graduated in 1986. In 1987 he began his career as a Textile Engineer for Schalfhorst Inc.
(currently Saurer Inc.), world leader in the development of textile rotor spinning machines. Jay has worked for Saurer Inc. for 27 years.
In 1998, Jay moved to Lincolnton with his wife Dawn. Dawn is a Pharmacy Technician at Sentry Drug in Lincolnton. They have 2 children; a
daughter, Kinsey and a son, Zander. Their children have been playing in the Lincolnton Parks & Rec soccer program for the past 11 seasons as well
as becoming standout players for LASA. Kinsey has since gone on to become the leading scorer at Lincolnton Middles School both years she played
and is presently a starting Freshman Forward on the Lincolnton High School Varsity girls soccer team. Zander started playing in the Lincolnton Parks
& Rec soccer program when he was five and is currently playing center Midfield for both his rec team and the LASA U11 boys team. It is not
unusual to see Jay and Dawn at the soccer fields all day on Saturdays to watch games in which their children aren’t participating. Both Jay and Dawn
have a love for soccer that has continued to grow with their involvement in the Lincolnton Parks & Recreation soccer program.
Jay is currently the Director of Member Relations for LASA and the Assistant Coach/Manager of the LASA U11 boys team. He also serves as
Manager for the LASA U15 girls team. His duties require that he encourage and maintain strong relationships between players, parents, coaches and
staff. Because information and communication are crucial in any organization, Jay is responsible for making sure that all of LASA and any interested
parties are on the same page in their endeavors.
Ronald Bonilla, U12 Boys Coach
My name is Ronald Bonilla, I have lived in Lincolnton for about 16 years. I moved to the US from Costa Rica in 1995 with
my parents. I attended Lincolnton High School all 4 years. I would have loved to play soccer in high school but at that time
Lincolnton High did not have a soccer team. I have been playing soccer since I was able to walk. I played 2 years for the
Shelby Cobras travel team. It is definitely a sport that has been passed on from generation to generation.
I have for 4 young boys who love soccer. They have been playing for Lincolnton Volunteer Recreation for about 4 years
now and LASA for a year. I have been coaching for 3 years now and I really enjoy it. I coach the U11 boys team and I also
help coach the U12 boys. I hope I get to coach for 30 more years!
Brian Whitaker, U12 Girls Coach
Brian is originally from West Virginia and has lived in Lincolnton for the past 11 years. He graduated from Alexander
Central High School in 1997 and became the assistant wrestling coach shortly after. In 1998 Brian joined the United
States Marine Corps. Growing up Brian played baseball, basketball and wrestled, but didn’t begin to be involved with
soccer until his kids began to play. He has coached with Lincolnton Parks and Recreation since 2011. Brian began the
U11 Girls LASA team in 2014. He also helps with the other LASA teams as needed.
Lincolnton Area Soccer Association ∙ PO Box 266 ∙ Lincolnton, NC 28093
Fernando Ibarra, U10 Boys Coach, U14 Girls Coach
Fernando was born in Durango Mexico, but came to the states at the age of five where he was raised in Lincolnton. In
Lincolnton High school he was a part of various community outreach clubs as well as the LHS soccer team. As a part of
the LHS soccer team he was named in the All Conference and All Regional teams for three straight years and also won
various individuals awards. By the time he graduated high school he had held various leadership positions in different
honor societies and clubs including being the captain of the LHS soccer team his senior year. Fernando also graduated
in the top 10 of his class and received an academic scholarship from Lenoir Rhyne University.
In May of 2015, Fernando graduated from Lenoir Rhyne University with a BS in Computer Science and a BA Information Technology. He graduated summa cum laude, received various individual academic awards, and was the first Computer Science graduate to have graduated from the honors academy in the history of the university. While Fernando assisted coaches throughout his time at college, he began coaching soon after he graduated. In the six months that they
have been together, his U10 teams have won a championship and have been runner-ups in two separate tournaments.
Gino Francovig, U14 (Boys) Lions Coach
My name is Gino Francovig. Italian/Peruvian descent but born in Peru. I move to the US when I was a Senior in HS. I
lived in the Fort Lauderdale-Miami area for 26 years until my family and I decided to move to NC, 9 years ago.
Happily married to Jessica for almost 19 years with whom we have 2 great children, Connie (17) and Luigi (13).
I have experience in coaching but my greatest experience in this sport has been as a Player, in fact, when I was only 14
years of age, I was offered to sign up for a team that would eventually turn me into a Pro, but that would have involved
moving to a different county, so my parents rejected the offer. I still got the honor to play with World Cup Soccer Players from Peru, Argentina, Germany and Yugoslavia.
My favorite Soccer Team is FC Barcelona. I admire their style of play and their philosophy.
Tony Poppante, U14 (Boys) Warriors Coach
Tony, Antonio Poppante, was born and raised in Italy, one of the world's most popular countries involving soccer. At a
very young age, Antonio learned the love of this phenomenal sport among his family and friends in his hometown, Monte
di Procida. Leisurely play made his passion grow stronger , which lead him to play on The Monte Mare Team at the
young age of 8. Rooted in soccer, he mentally and physically grew more powerful and versatile with speed, agility, and
dedication. He stayed on this team until the age of 12. Antonio was soon discovered at age 13 to join a local Professional
Team called Campania Puteolana Seria C-1. The City of Naples was proud to have such a great, local young soccer
player that excelled in many good qualities. Here, Antonio became a part of another family that lead to some of the best
memories a young man could experience. He played until the age of 16.
Today, Tony still enjoys the love of soccer and continues to share his passion with his family and community in North
Carolina, USA.
Lincolnton Area Soccer Association ∙ PO Box 266 ∙ Lincolnton, NC 28093
Lincolnton Area Soccer Association ∙ PO Box 266 ∙ Lincolnton, NC 28093
Lincolnton Area Soccer Association ∙ PO Box 266 ∙ Lincolnton, NC 28093
Highland Drive Park
Lincolnton, NC (Boger City)
City Park
Lincolnton, NC
Lincolnton Area Soccer Association ∙ PO Box 266 ∙ Lincolnton, NC 28093
Lincolnton Area Soccer Association ∙ PO Box 266 ∙ Lincolnton, NC 28093
Please make all sponsorship donation checks payable to Lincolnton Area Soccer Association and
remit to:
Lincolnton Area Soccer Association
PO Box 266
Lincolnton, NC 28093
You can use the form on this page as your tax deductible receipt, however, upon receiving your
sponsorship donation we will send you a confirmation letter with an official tax deduction receipt.
Lincolnton Area Soccer Association Official 501(c)(3) Federal Registration Information:

Non-Profit Name:
Lincolnton Area Soccer Association, Inc.

Federal Non-Profit Tax ID (EIN):
46-2627580

DLN:
17053178360003

IRS Contact Person:
Stephanie L. Jones Taylor: ID#31395 - (877) 829-5500
TEAM SPONSORSHIP TAX DEDUCTION RECEIPT
Company Name:
Company Contact:
Amount Donated:
Check Number:
Date Check was Mailed:
Lincolnton Area Soccer Association ∙ PO Box 266 ∙ Lincolnton, NC 28093