Calcagni Elected MAPLE Commissioner

Retail Store Owner Involved with Soccer for 20+ Years

September 17, 2008

By Nick Williams

Charlie Calcagni’s start in soccer was not unlike that of most men in the early ‘80s – accidental.

Calcagni was at home when got a phone call from his friend telling him his son could not play soccer because his team didn’t have a coach. The friend then asked if Calcagni would mind coaching the team.

“I said, “What are you calling me for?’ Calcagni said in a recent phone interview with SNE. “I knew absolutely nothing about football. But he asked if I’d be an assistant coach at least, so I said I’d help.

“I showed up at the field, and I was the head coach. I’ve been involved with soccer ever since.”

Calcagni’s involvement in soccer reached new heights Sept. 5 when he was elected Commissioner of the Massachusetts Premier League (MAPLE). Calcagni had been a Commission Board Member of MAPLE for the previous eight years.

He replaces Ross Weaver, who served the remainder of former Commissioner Paul Irwin’s term after the latter died tragically in September of 2006.

“Paul Erwin and Ross Weaver are just incredible individuals,” Calcagni said. “For me, I’m very humble to have been nominated and elected. Just following in their footsteps is fantastic.”

After his coaching cameo with his son’s team, Calcagni took a few courses on coaching and ended up liking it so much he kept taking classes until he got his National “D” license.

He worked his way up from coach to President of the Milford-Hopedale Youth Soccer Association, which he ran for several years before taking over the presidency of the Tri-Valley Eagles Soccer Club (now the New England Eagles).

Calcagni ran the Eagles for 10 years and about eight years ago was elected a Commission Board member of MAPLE.

He also owns a soccer retail store, Soccer Spot, which he invested in with his buyout money earned from a long career in the information technology field. He opened his first store in Milford in 1999 before expanding to Narragansett (2002), Needham (2004) and coming soon, Pensacola, Florida.

Still, with all that’s on his plate, Calcagni remains focused.

“My goal [as commissioner] is to take and expand upon what was laid out before me by Ross and Paul,” he said “I would like to make MAPLE a stronger organization, an organization that gives the kids the ability to play at the upper level and reach their highest potential.

“I know we can do it.”