Gulf Coast United soccer club returns, against
the odds
Opening
day features new jerseys not yet faded, new socks not yet lost or even
mismatched, new teammates with personalities not yet revealed and lots of
parents signing up for snack duty. • The first weekend of November marks the
beginning of the recreational soccer season for many clubs in Pinellas
County. • But for Gulf Coast United, Saturday represented more than just the
start of another season. It was a victory against the odds. • The
organization, which serves kids from Belleair, Largo and Seminole, suffered
a huge financial setback last December when a $114,000 deficit was
discovered. • The money was due from Count Me In, an online registration
firm based in Bellevue, Wash. The business had stopped making payments to
Gulf Coast and other sports clubs around the country.
"When we realized what had happened, we saw it as a 'fight or flight'
situation,'' said Dan Tumarkin, president of Gulf Coast United's board of
directors.
The group, which has joined a class-action lawsuit against Count Me In,
began holding fundraisers and town hall-style meetings in an effort to find
resolutions. Parents provided support, whether financial or by volunteering
their time.
more
Opening
day features new jerseys not yet faded, new socks not yet lost or even
mismatched, new teammates with personalities not yet revealed and lots of
parents signing up for snack duty. • The first weekend of November marks the
beginning of the recreational soccer season for many clubs in Pinellas
County. • But for Gulf Coast United, Saturday represented more than just the
start of another season. It was a victory against the odds. • The
organization, which serves kids from Belleair, Largo and Seminole, suffered
a huge financial setback last December when a $114,000 deficit was
discovered. • The money was due from Count Me In, an online registration
firm based in Bellevue, Wash. The business had stopped making payments to
Gulf Coast and other sports clubs around the country.