Final Day of 12 Days of Kickers

Ihor Dotsenko

Technical Director

Richmond Kickers
Youth Soccer Club





A native of Kiev, Ukraine, Ihor has been an integral component of the Richmond Kickers staff at all levels, from the youth to the professional ranks. A professional soccer player for seven years, including with the Kickers, he became the Technical Director for the RKYSC in December of 2003. He currently acts as a player/Assistant Coach with the professional side as well as the Head Coach of the Richmond Kickers Future of the Premier Development League (PDL).
Ihor will play on the All-Stars Team of the Kick Out Cancer Charity Match on Saturday, December 20th. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

How long have you played soccer?
I started playing soccer when I was seven years old and have been playing ever since.

Describe yourself in three words:
Passionate about soccer

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Chocolate and coffee

What would Kickers fans be surprised to know about you?
That I just became the father of a beautiful baby girl Alexandra.

What is your favorite thing about Richmond?
I love the historical ambiance associated with Richmond. I also love its convenient location to so many wonderful places - the beach, the mountains, Washington DC, etc.


The 12 Days of Kickers is a series of short features on people important to the Kickers organization. Get to know your favorite players, coaches, and staff as we count down to the next home game on December 20th. The Kick Out Cancer All-Stars Game to benefit Connor's Heroes is one day away. Don't miss your chance to see great soccer for a great cause! Visit RichmondKickers.com for details and ticket information.

12 Days of Kickers: Day 11

Micah Pigott

Director of Operations

Micah assumed the role of Director of Operations with the Kickers in January of 2007 after working as a Financial Consultant at Keiter Stephens. His duties with the Kickers include game day production, sponsorship implementation, team travel logistics and management of the Richmond Kickers amateur teams. He currently plays soccer locally with the CVSA for both men’s and coed teams. He enjoys traveling in his spare time and recently returned from a week-long surf camp in Costa Rica.

What is the best thing about working for the Kickers?
The variety - I'll be putting together a player contract or tracking our pro pass attendance one minute and fixing signboards or fixing a refrigerator in our concession stands the next.

Describe yourself in three words:
Well-rounded, diligent, active

What is your perfect pizza?
The Veggie Special from Mary Angela's, subbing broccoli in and olives out

What was your best vacation ever?
Going to the 2006 World Cup in Germany - it was an unbelievable experience and I met so many people from all over the world.

What is on your holiday wish list?
FIFA 09 video game and Steelers home field advantage through the playoffs.


The 12 Days of Kickers is a series of short features on people important to the Kickers organization. Get to know your favorite players, coaches, and staff as we count down to the next home game on December 20th. Two days remain until the Kick Out Cancer All-Stars Game to benefit Connor's Heroes. Visit RichmondKickers.com for details and ticket information.

12 Days of Kickers: Day 10

Branco Cesar Caliyaza

Kickers Indoor #18




Bolivian midfielder Calizaya returns to SCOR after spending the 2007-08 season with the Richmond Rowdies. Transferring from Louisburg College in North Carolina to VCU, Calizaya concluded his collegiate career in 2006, having made eight appearances with the Rams over two seasons. A stalwart with the Fan Rats of the CVSA, he is currently working toward his Masters in Homeland Security at VCU.

How long have you played indoor soccer?
I have played indoor soccer all my life. Whenever it got dark outside, I would start playing in an indoor facility.

Describe yourself in three words:
Ambitious, thoughtful, spontaneous

What movie do you think everyone should watch?
The Dark Knight was entertaining from beginning to end.

Where do you like to travel?
Anywhere there is a beach close by.

What is your favorite thing about Richmond?
I like the diversity Richmond has. I also enjoy the nightlife.


The 12 Days of Kickers is a series of short features on people important to the Kickers organization. Get to know your favorite players, coaches, and staff as we count down to the next home game on December 20th. Three days remain until the Kick Out Cancer All-Stars Game to benefit Connor's Heroes. Visit RichmondKickers.com for details and ticket information.

12 Days of Kickers: Day 9

Tish Schrock

Director of Tournaments
and Super Y-League

Richmond Kickers
Youth Soccer Club


A former college club player and avid soccer fan, Tish has worked with the Richmond Kickers for the last five years. Tish started coaching youth soccer at the age of nineteen, and finds coaching to be one of the most rewarding parts of working with the RKYSC.

Who is your all-time favorite soccer player?
The incredible Lothar Matthaus from Germany. That man was a work horse and a magician of chipping and passing.

Describe yourself in three words:
Serious, spontaneous, sun-bum!

What is your perfect pizza?
The white pizza from 8 1/2 is the best!

What is your signature karaoke song?
My awful version of Crazy by Patsy Cline.

What is the best thing about working for the Kickers?
Getting opportunities to work in the community with children from all walks of life, and watching players develop and grow their game skills and life skills over the years.


The 12 Days of Kickers is a series of short features on people important to the Kickers organization. Get to know your favorite players, coaches, and staff as we count down to the next home game on December 20th. Four days remain until the Kick Out Cancer All-Stars Game to benefit Connor's Heroes. Visit RichmondKickers.com for details and ticket information.

12 Days of Kickers: Day 8

Dreama Nunnally

Club Administrator

Richmond Kickers

Youth Soccer Club

For the last six years, Dreama has acted as Club Administrator for the RKYSC. Dreama is the proud mother of two sons who have played through Kickers programs and a devoted fan of the Kickers Pro Team. She recently rescued fifteen stray kittens, which she will be giving away as Christmas presents to loving homes this holiday season.

If you were a superhero, who would you be?

Lana Lang, "Insect Queen" from Superman

Describe yourself in three words:

Friendly, outgoing, animal-lover

What is your favorite book?

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Where do you like to travel?

Australia

What are your favorite things about Richmond?

Easter on Parade, the Chili Cook-Off, and the Pork Festival

The 12 Days of Kickers is a series of short features on people important to the Kickers organization. Get to know your favorite players, coaches, and staff as we count down to the next home game on December 20th. Five days remain until the Kick Out Cancer All-Stars Game to benefit Connor's Heroes. Visit RichmondKickers.com for details and ticket information.

12 Days of Kickers: Day 7

Jose "Puma" Rodriguez


Kickers Indoor #5




Virginia Commonwealth University alum Rodriguez hails from San Jose, Costa Rica and returns to PASL action from last year’s season-ending ACL surgery. Starting all 18 games played at VCU in 2005, Rodriguez also brings professional experience to Richmond Kickers Indoor, having spent three seasons with Barrio Mexico of the Costa Rican Second Division.

How did you get your nickname?
There is a famous singer in South America whose name is Jose Luis Rodriguez and his nickname is Puma.

Describe yourself in three words:
Friendly, ambitious, responsible

Where do you like to travel?
Costa Rica and Holland

What movie do you think everyone should watch?
The Pursuit of Happyness

Who was your childhood role model?
My Mom


The 12 Days of Kickers is a series of short features on people important to the Kickers organization. Get to know your favorite players, coaches, and staff as we count down to the next home game on December 20th. Six days remain until the Kick Out Cancer All-Stars Game to benefit Connor's Heroes. Visit RichmondKickers.com for details and ticket information.

12 Days of Kickers: Day 6

Andre "Gago" Nunes

Kickers Indoor #22

A native of Campo Grande, Nunes brings futsal experience to Richmond having played with the club team Pelezinho in Brazil. Most recently, he has spent the past five seasons with the CVSA Premier League team Metro Sting FC.

Why is "Gago" your nickname?
Gago means stutter in Portuguese, and everybody calls me Gago.

Describe yourself in three words:
Friendly, outgoing, fun

How long have you played indoor soccer?
My whole life. I played futsal in Brazil since I was 3 years old.

What do you do in your free time?
Play tennis, hang out with my family, and go out with my friends

Where do you like to travel?
Miami, because it feels like I am in Brazil


The 12 Days of Kickers is a series of short features on people important to the Kickers organization. Get to know your favorite players, coaches, and staff as we count down to the next home game on December 20th. Seven days remain until the Kick Out Cancer All-Stars Game to benefit Connor's Heroes. Visit RichmondKickers.com for details and ticket information.

12 Days of Kickers: Day 5

Leigh Cowlishaw

Vice President, Soccer Programs

Head Coach, Pro Team

A native of Burton-on-Trent, England, Leigh has been an integral member of the Kickers franchise since the club’s inception in 1993. Leigh joined the Pro Team roster in the Kickers' first season and will enter his tenth season as Head Coach in 2009. Leigh is the only player to play under every coach in Kickers franchise history and in September of 1999, he was honored as the first Kicker to have his number (13) retired. As Vice President, Soccer Programs, Leigh provides technical direction and guidance for all levels of the Kickers organization and serves on the board of the Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club.

What is on your holiday wish list?
A new forward and central defender for the Pro Team

Describe yourself in three words:
Very, very competitive

What is your perfect pizza?
Pan Pizza with loads of cheese and loads of veggies!

Who was your childhood role model?
Liverpool FC forward Kenny "The King" Dalglish. He is the best player to ever wear a Liverpool jersey.

Do you make New Year resolutions? Do you keep them?
Just one and that is to win a lot more than you lose. So far so good!


The 12 Days of Kickers is a series of short features on people important to the Kickers organization. Get to know your favorite players, coaches, and staff as we count down to the next home game on December 20th. Eight days remain until the Kick Out Cancer All-Stars Game to benefit Connor's Heroes. Visit RichmondKickers.com for details and ticket information.

12 Days of Kickers: Day 4

Kofi Nti

Kickers Indoor #10

Team Captain




A member of the Richmond Kickers 2005 USL First Division Finalist team and the 2006 USL Second Division Championship team in 2006, Kofi played indoor soccer with the Richmond Rowdies last season and spent the 2008 season with the Richmond Kickers Future of the Premier Development League. As the Soccer in the Community Director with the Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club, Kofi oversees the recreational program of nearly 1,000 youth players.

What is your nickname?
Rush. As a kid, I played like the famous Welsh soccer star, Ian Rush.

Describe yourself in three words:
Calm, hard-working, reserved

What is your perfect pizza?
Papa John's pepperoni pizza

What do you do in your free time?
Read, watch movies, and relax

Where would you like to travel?
Japan

Who was your childhood role model?
My Dad


The 12 Days of Kickers is a series of short features on people important to the Kickers organization. Get to know your favorite players, coaches, and staff as we count down to the next home game on December 20th. Nine days remain until the Kick Out Cancer All-Stars Game to benefit Connor's Heroes. Visit RichmondKickers.com for details and ticket information.

12 Days of Kickers: Day 3

Rob Ukrop

President

Richmond Kickers
Youth Soccer Club





To most Kickers fans and Richmond residents, Rob Ukrop needs no introduction. Ukrop has played 11 seasons with the Richmond Kickers pro team since its inception in 1993. His contributions to the club were recognized when the Kickers retired his #6 jersey in 2005. Ukrop was inducted into the USL Hall of Fame as the President's Selection in 2007. Ukrop continues to be actively involved in the club and the community as a youth soccer coach and President of the RKYSC.

Who is your favorite superhero?
Hong Kong Phooey

Describe yourself in three words:
Honest, Goofy, Caring

What is the best thing about coaching youth soccer?
Sharing the lessons about teamwork, about sportsmanship, and about giving your best effort all the time, just like my parents and coaches taught me.

How will you spend the holidays this year?
Volunteering with the Salvation Army and singing carols to my friends on my Meals on Wheels route with the assistance of my U-13 and U-15 Elite girls teams.

What is your favorite thing about Richmond?
I believe Richmond is the most philanthropic community in the country. I admire how so many people share their Time, Talent, and Treasure to make Richmond a little bit better place to live. I am extremely proud of how the Richmond Kickers and their extended families partner with so many groups to give back and do our part for Richmond.


The 12 Days of Kickers is a series of short features on people important to the Kickers organization. Get to know your favorite players, coaches, and staff as we count down to the next home game on December 20th. Ten days remain until the Kick Out Cancer All-Stars Game to benefit Connor's Heroes. Visit RichmondKickers.com for details and ticket information.

12 Days of Kickers: Day 2

Chris Green

Kickers Indoor #11

Dec. 6 Man of the Match

Green brings one year of PASL experience to Kickers Indoor this year after spending the 2007-08 season with the Rowdies. A Richmond local and a graduate of Mills Godwin High School, Green has since returned to his alma mater as JV Boys soccer coach. He also acts as Systems Analyst and JV Boys soccer coach at The Steward School.

What is your favorite thing about Richmond?

My friends and family. . . Oh, and the Kickers Indoor team of course.

Describe yourself in three words:

Determined, creative, hard-working

Where do you like to travel?

I have been lucky enough to live in a few different countries, but Prague is my favorite place so far. I do hope to go to Japan sometime soon.

What do you do in your free time?

I cook a lot in my free time. It's a place that I can be creative and take risks. . . I like to add my own twist on things.

Who was your childhood role model?

Steve Prefontaine, the U.S. distance runner. Although he wasn't alive while I was growing up, I admired his grit, determination, and example he set as an athlete.

The 12 Days of Kickers is a series of short features on people important to the Kickers organization. Get to know your favorite players, coaches, and staff as we count down to the next home game on December 20th. Eleven days remain until the Kick Out Cancer All-Stars Game to benefit Connor's Heroes. Visit RichmondKickers.com for details and ticket information.

12 Days of Kickers: Day 1

Andy McIntosh

Kickers Indoor #9

Team Captain

A native of London, England, McIntosh has been involved with the Kickers organization for the past seven years. In addition to coaching several youth teams and serving as the Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club Classic Director, he was named Director of Soccer Camps in 2006 and was appointed Assistant Coach of the Richmond Kickers Future prior to the 2008 Kickers Indoor season.

What is your nickname?

Macca

Describe yourself in three words:

Lefty, funny, and soccer-mad

What is your perfect pizza?

Tandoori Chicken from California Pizza Kitchen

What is your favorite thing about Richmond?

The weather and the golf courses

What do you do in your free time?

What free time? When I'm not coaching, I'm playing. When I'm not playing, I'm watching!

Introducing 12 Days of Kickers

Twelve days remain before the next Kickers Indoor home game. We at the Richmond Kickers are counting down to the next match with the 12 Days of Kickers. Each day we will feature one person who plays an important role in the Kickers organization. Read their answers to five questions to get to know these Kickers a little better, and be sure to leave comments telling us what you think. Send us your questions and we will do our best to get the answers you want. Consider it a holiday gift to our fans.

You're welcome.