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California Cougars Announce New Operating Group
Friday Aug 18, 2006
Jim Rachels, Mayor Ed Chavez, Greg Toy and Rick Toy
The Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) and the California Cougars introduced today the newest MISL investor/operators in Stockton-area businessmen Jim Rachels, Rick Toy, and Greg Toy, the founding partners of Thunder Investment LLC., the new operating group of the California Cougars professional indoor soccer team. The announcement came during a Friday press conference held at the Stockton Arena, the home of the Cougars.
Mr. Rachels, the managing partner of Thunder Investment LLC., currently serves as CFO of MCR Engineering, Inc., an engineering, surveying and land planning company which provides services throughout Northern California. A real estate investor, Mr. Rachels’ companies hold properties throughout California
Rachels’ interest in entertainment led him to create Thunder Production Company, Inc., a concert promotion and production company of which he serves as president. Thunder Productions recently brought famed recording artist Joan Jett to the Bob Hope Theatre in Stockton. He is additionally the creator of Manteca Idol, a fund-raising event for the Manteca Boys and Girls Club, in California’s Central Valley region.
A life-long Manteca resident, Rachels is committed to the community and the growth of the area in a positive and beneficial way. He is currently a board member of both the Building Dreams Foundation and Give Every Child A Chance organization. Also a former board member of the Manteca Boys and Girls Club, Rachels is the creator of Boys and Girls Club Manteca/Lathrop All-City Sports Teams. For his distinguished community efforts Rachels has been recognized with such awards as the Mabel Brocchini Community Service Award from the Manteca Chamber of Commerce, Board Member of the Year from the Boys and Girls Club Manteca/Lathrop and the Community Service Award from Maloof Sports and Entertainment.
Rick and Greg Toy are partners with their family in a local grocery business, the Marina Marketplace in Stockton and Big Boy Market in Manteca. The family business started with the Toy’s father, Tom, with the Manteca location in the 1957. The Marina Marketplace will soon celebrate its 10th anniversary.
“The strength of professional sports teams is in part based on local ownership,” said MISL Commissioner Steve Ryan. “The Major Indoor Soccer League and the MISL Management Committee are extremely excited with the advent of new local owners in Jim Rachels, Rick Toy, and Greg Toy, who will spearhead what will surely be an All-Star season for the Cougars.”
Formally approved by the MISL Management Committee in February 2004, the California Cougars became the first major professional team in Stockton. The team officially launched its name, logos, and colors in July, 2004 and began competition before a sell-out crowd at Baltimore’s 1st Mariner Arena in November, 2005. Despite a slow start as an expansion team in the MISL, the Cougars finished their inaugural 30-game regular season with a 10-20 record by winning nine of their final 13 games, and competing for a MISL Championship Series Position until the regular season’s final weekend in April.
About the California Cougars
The California Cougars are a member of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL), a single-entity organization that features a coast-to-coast presence across the United States, and top soccer talent representing players from 31 different countries. Announced on February 28, 2004, the Cougars made their competitive debut in November, 2005, with the beginning of their first 30-game regular season. Located in Stockton, California, the California Cougars play their home games at the state-of-the-art Stockton Area, an integral piece to the city’s developing waterfront district. Stockton Arena opened to the public in December, 2005. The Cougars and Stockton will host the 2007 MISL All-Star Game in February, 2007. For additional information about the Cougars, contact Ryan Hopping, Senior Director Communications and Broadcasting at 209-373-1552, or visit the California Cougars’ official website www.californiacougars.net.
About The MISL
The Major Indoor Soccer League is a single-entity organization with a coast-to-coast presence comprised of seven teams located across the United States, and features the finest indoor soccer players representing 31 countries around the world. In February of 2004, the League announced an expansion team in Stockton, CA, that began play in 2005-06 as the California Cougars. In May of 2004, the League announced plans for an expansion team in Newark, NJ, that will begin play in 2007-08. In April of 2005, the League also approved an MISL expansion team for Detroit that will begin play as the Detroit Ignition in 2006-07. On Sunday, April 30, 2006, the MISL announced on ESPN2 that MISL Orlando had been approved to begin competition with the 2007-08 season. The 2006 MISL All-Star Game was played before a capacity crowd at the U.S. Cellular Arena in Milwaukee. The 2006 MISL Championship Series concluded live on ESPN2 and before a crowd of 16,061 at Savvis Center in St. Louis on Sunday, April 30, 2006, with the Baltimore Blast winning their third MISL Championship Series in four seasons. For more information on the MISL, visit the League’s official website www.MISL.net.
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