Community
BY COLBY FARR
Local business owner to bring professional soccer to McKinney
Downtown McKinney will soon be home to a new soccer team named McKinney Chupacabras FC. The team is expected to play home games at Ron Poe Stadium beginning in May, owner and managing partner Michael “Hitch” Hitchcock said. McKinney Chupacabras is expected to play in a lower division league, according to its website. Ownership is expected to announce what league the team will join in the coming months, Hitch- cock said. The overview The Historic McKinney Soccer Group debuted branding for the new team and launched a merchandise shop during an Oct. 23 celebration at Tupps Brewery. The branding was revealed after more than 1,000 local soccer fans voted for their favorite team name and logo, Hitchcock said during a brief presentation. “When we decided we were going to launch this team, we said, we’re keeping this all about Historic
Downtown McKinney,” he said. “This is all about each and every one of you.” The team is expected to start recruiting coaches and players in the upcoming months before a match schedule is expected to be revealed in January. Zooming out Hitchcock, who owns the ProRel Soccer Shop in downtown McKinney, also owns 18 soccer teams around the world. Hitchcock decided to launch a team in McKinney where he lives and works with his wife, Jamie. “We’re going to promote the local events that make McKinney great,” he said. “We’re going to promote the local businesses that we take a lot of pride in promoting. This is support local, 100%.” Quote of note McKinney Assistant City Manager Barry Shelton said when Hitchcock presented the idea for a soc- cer team, it t really well with the city’s mission.
McKinney Chupacabras FC merchandise was available at the Oct. 23 brand debut event.
COLBY FARR COMMUNITY IMPACT
“It actually ts really really well into that because it’s going to give us something to come together and collectively cheer for,” Shelton said. What’s next? The team is expected to recruit a head coach and two assistant coaches. McKinney Chupacabras will feature a roster of 30 players, Hitchcock said. More information about the team can be found at www.historicmckinneysoccer.com.
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