Discoveries bring on Posipanko as director of operations

Recently retired Winthrop men’s soccer coach Rich Posipanko has announced a new job.

The longtime former Eagles skipped will take over as director of operations and community and corporate development for Discoveries Soccer Club. Posipanko - nicknamed “The Gaffer” - will coordinate corporate relationships, sponsorships and general fundraising activities for Discoveries, while also supporting the club’s community development program through commercial interaction with local businesses and retailers.

Discoveries executive director Dave Carton is one of the Posipanko’s many former players involved with the Rock Hill-based soccer club.

“Obviously this is a very serious and high profile appointment for the club,” he said, “and as we grow and develop we are now witnessing a specific need for expertise and experience in this area of our operations. While we have some fantastic partners, Gaffer’s role will be to improve the management of our current relationships and also open up new opportunities for the club with local businesses.”

Posipanko says he’s excited for the next phase of his soccer life.

“I have been around since the early years of Discoveries Soccer Club and have seen it develop from having one or two teams into a very successful club which currently has over 1,100 members and works with an additional 2000 youth players from the various recreation programs within our community,” he said in a press release from the club. “Both Winthrop University and Discoveries have played a major role in the growth and development of soccer in the community over the years. By joining the Discoveries team I am honored that I will be able to continue playing a small role in the development of soccer in the area.”

The Pennsylvania native coached college soccer for 37 seasons, including 27 in Rock Hill at the Eagles’ helm. He led Winthrop to six NCAA College Cups and retired as Division I’s seventh leading active coach in career wins. Besides Posipanko’s soccer expertise, he’s proved to be a very successful fundraiser, especially in the last few years for breast cancer research. Through the Kickin’ It Classic, Posipanko has helped raise over $200,000 to fight the disease.

Carton said Discoveries wants to play an integral role in the Rock Hill community, and the addition of Posipanko should strengthen those efforts.

“Gaffer recruited me as a player back in 2005 and has been a mentor to me since the day I got here,” said Carton. “It’s a pleasure to be working with him again and we are all excited for some great things ahead”.

This story was originally published February 5, 2016 at 2:58 PM with the headline "Discoveries bring on Posipanko as director of operations."