About MUSL

The Founding of the Michigan United Soccer League

During the years of 1977 and 1978 the parent coaches of youth teams playing in the Michigan Youth Soccer League, an East side youth travel league, were concerned by their lack of playing experience and the effect that it might be having on their ability to coach the kids on their travel teams.

Representing the Ferndale Soccer Club composed of the U-10 Phantoms and the U-12 Celtic, I began to discuss our dilemma with Steve McClennon of Royal Oak and the coaches of Frazer S.C., Warren S.C., S.U.S.A. (Shelby/Utica) Royal Oak Y.S.C., and Roseville S.C.. We all realized that, as American born parent coaches with no college playing experience we could not get that experience by joining the existing amateur soccer leagues; Great Lakes Men’s Soccer league, Detroit Soccer League or Michigan Ontario Soccer League.

We decided to try to gain experience by having a competition with teams consisting of coaches and parents representing the 6 clubs from which we coached. Steve and I found a referee who coached in the Warren club to schedule the refs and we set up the schedule with home and away games. We played through the summer of 1978 and at the end of August the top 2 teams played each other. The Warren over the Hill Gang won in the final beating Ferndale Intra 3-1. Playing on the Warren side was a player from the Detroit Express named Julian Stoja whose 3 goals were things of beauty and impossible to stop.

Because of our successful season and the number of teams that were interested in joining us over the fall we decided to create a more formal organization. We found that our average age was just over 30 so the league should be primarily over 30 but we also made room for young guys who were coaching with us by allowing each team 3 or 4 players who were 20 to 30 and we created a ten year window after which a 20 year old would become 30 and we would
become strictly over 30.

I arranged for our first meetings to be held at the New Way Bar in Ferndale in 1979. Steve from Royal Oak, whose impetus and hard work helped push us toward organization became ill and could not participate from that point forward. The founding group then consisted of Sam lucido from Warren, Frank Butterworth newly of Rochester, Sam Mebius taking over for Steve of Royal Oak and Larry Stepeck and I from Ferndale. We appointed Sam Mebius as our first President and I worked as Commissioner doing the scheduling and arranging the referees.

Harold Kirkwood, Vice President, Michigan United Soccer League

Table of Contents

1. Constitution
2. By-Laws
3. Rules and Regulations
4. Appeals Procedure
5. Manager's Responsibilities
6. Fees and Fines
7. Board Meeting Minutes

1. Constitution

2. By-Laws

3. Rules and Regulations

4. Appeals Procedure

5. Manager's Responsibilities

GAME DAY:
1. Be at field with your team assembled and ready to play at kick-off time. (Suggest that you arrive 1/2 hour before game time.)
2. Manager of the home team is responsible for a lined field that meets FIFA requirements, goal nets, and corner flags.
3. Bring with you -
a) Player pass cards for each player playing that day. Make sure the "2010" sticker is on the back of card.
b) Score sheet (1 printed set of white, yellow & pink). Cross out players not playing that day. Also, cross out suspended players and write their names at the bottom of the sheet under "Suspensions".
c) Money for Refs - $70 (cash) per game
d) Stamped/addressed envelope - Home team manager gives to Ref
4. Managers are responsible for the conduct of their players and fans. Families with children often attend the games, so let's try to keep profanity and violent conduct out of the game.
5. If visiting team shows up with the same color jersey as the home team, the home team must use a different color. Many teams just use numbered white T-shirts for emergencies.
6. All jerseys must be numbered - no duplicate numbers are to be used.
7. All players must be duly registered. If it's found out that you used an unregistered player, you forfeit the game and are subject to a fine and possible disciplinary action.
8. We suggest that you not sign the score sheet until after the game. This way you have a chance to look it over and see that the Ref has assigned the goals and cards (if any) to the appropriate players.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Team managers are responsible for the payment of the MUSL team fees. You must make payments in a timely manner or risk forfeiting games until payment is made. The payment schedule is as follows:

1. First payment due on May 31st.
2. Second payment is due on June 30th.
3. Final payment is due on July 31st.

It is up to you to collect from your players and/or sponsors.

MUSL RULES & REGULATIONS
Go to www.musl.leaguerepublic.com for the complete MUSL Bylaws and Constitution. Take the time to at least read Part 3: Rules & Regulations. This covers things like player substitutions, red & yellow card procedures, fines & fees, appeal procedures, player transfers, rescheduling games, and more. If you can't find the answer to your questions on the MUSL website, you can send an e-mail to musloffice@wowway.com or call the MUSL Office at 248-288-6875 (see the website for office hours) or call Larry Myers' cell 248-495-4368.

IMPORTANCE OF OUR E-MAIL SYSTEM
It is critical that you and your assistant manager have valid e-mail addresses. In a league as large as ours, e-mail is the fastest and most economical way of communicating with you. You will be contacted through e-mail for game changes and other important information. This means you need to check your e-mail frequently during the season, at least every couple of days. If you change your e-mail address, you must give us your new e-mail address as soon as possible. If you have never received an e-mail message from the MUSL Office, contact Larry Myers as we may have an incorrect e-mail address for you. You should also get in the habit of checking the MUSL website for general news, schedules and standings.

6. Fees and Fines

Adopted March 2010

1. Held in escrow and will be returned (minus any outstanding debt to the league) when team leaves the league.
2. Fee returned if protest is is won.
3. Fee returned if Appeal is won.

7. Board Meeting Minutes