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FC Dallas selects Michael Hitchcock to become General Manager of Charter MLS Club

October 25, 2005 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


FRISCO, Texas - Hunt Sports Group President, John Wagner, announced today that Michael Hitchcock, an eight-year MLS veteran of ticket sales and various marketing elements, has been selected as the General Manager for FC Dallas. "Michael has been an impact person no matter where he has worked in MLS", said Wagner. "We are extremely fortunate to have his sports management expertise now focused on FC Dallas and our team operations at Pizza Hut Park. He is a proven salesman and we believe he will be an exceptional MLS General Manager."

Hitchcock's passion for soccer began in his early years. As a promising young player, he was the captain of the State of Georgia U-15 state champions and as a senior at Brookstone High School he received All-State honors as designated by the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association. He is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, where he played four years of Division I varsity soccer and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications - Advertising.

Hitchcock began his well honored MLS career with the Anschutz Entertainment Group's D.C. United in 1998, where he started as an entry level Corporate Ticket Sales Representative. He had an immediate impact on their organization as it was recognized in both 1999 and 2000 with an "MLS Sales Team of the Year" award and he also personally earned the 2000 "MLS Commissioner's New Business Leadership Award". In 2001 with the Colorado Rapids, Hitchcock became the "MLS Sales Director of the Year". In 2002, he again received the "MLS Sales Director of the Year Award" and also again helped earn the "MLS Sales Team of the Year Award". The Colorado Rapids recognized his achievements and promoted him to Senior Director of Sales and Marketing for that organization in 2002. In that same year, Hitchcock delivered the franchise's largest ever average attendance (20,687 per game), a record which still stands today. Also, during his time with the Rapids, their season ticket holder base doubled under his leadership.

After the Rapids were purchased by Kroenke Sports Enterprises in September 2003, Hitchcock elected to stay with the Anschutz Entertainment Group and moved on to the Los Angeles Galaxy as Vice President of Sales at the end of the 2003 season. In 2004, for an unprecedented third time in four years he was named the "MLS Sales Director of the Year" and also helped earn the fourth title of "MLS Sales Team of the Year" - all accomplished in just six years with the league. In 2005, under his direction, the Los Angeles Galaxy led MLS in attendance with an average of 24,204 per game including 8 sellouts at The Home Depot Center - all the while achieving the highest season ticket base in league history.

Hitchcock, who is in town with his wife Jamie to house hunt said, "My dream job can be described in four words; sales... marketing... soccer... management. I'm humbled by the opportunity presented to me and excited to realize my dream job in the most important market in MLS. With the support of the Hunt Sports Group, we're going to create something special at Pizza Hut Park".

Hitchcock plans to make his home in Frisco in close proximity to Pizza Hut Park with his wife Jamie and daughter Eleni, 5, and son, William, 3.

After returning to Los Angeles tomorrow, Hitchcock will be back in Dallas for the club's next match on Saturday, October 29 when the Hoops host the Colorado Rapids in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals at 7:30 p.m. at Pizza Hut Park. Tickets for this game are on sale now. Call 888-FCD-GOAL or visit www.fcdallas.net for tickets or more information.

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