David Grimaldi (soccer)
Encyclopedia
David Grimaldi is a retired American professional soccer defender
who spent three seasons in the North American Soccer League
, three in the Major Indoor Soccer League
and at least one in the American Soccer League
. He later served as Deputy Commissioner of MISL and the Commissioner of the National Indoor Soccer League
.
Grimaldi attended Willingboro High School
before entering Rutgers University
. He was a four year soccer player at Rutgers and team captain his junior and senior seasons. In 1977, the Dallas Tornado
selected him in the first round (fourth overall) of the North American Soccer League
college draft. After seeing no first team time during his rookie season, the Tornado sent him to the Memphis Rogues
where he played sparingly over two seasons. In 1979, Grimaldi moved to indoor soccer with the Cleveland Force
of the Major Indoor Soccer League
. He spent three seasons with the Force. In 1981, he returned to outdoor soccer with the Cleveland Cobras
of the American Soccer League
before retiring in 1982.
Grimaldi then entered the business world. Over the years, he worked for American Express
and FedEx
. He later became Deputy Commissioner of the MISL
. In 2009 he was appointed Commissioner of the National Indoor Soccer League
.
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who spent three seasons in the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
, three in the Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
and at least one in the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
. He later served as Deputy Commissioner of MISL and the Commissioner of the National Indoor Soccer League
National Indoor Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League , formerly known as the National Indoor Soccer League, is an indoor soccer league which began play in 2008. It is the third league to be known as the Major Indoor Soccer League...
.
Grimaldi attended Willingboro High School
Willingboro High School
Willingboro High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grades from Willingboro Township in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Willingboro Township Public Schools....
before entering Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
. He was a four year soccer player at Rutgers and team captain his junior and senior seasons. In 1977, the Dallas Tornado
Dallas Tornado
Dallas Tornado were a soccer team based in Dallas that played in the NASL. They played from 1967 to 1981. Their home fields were Cotton Bowl , P.C. Cobb Stadium , Franklin Field , Texas Stadium and Ownby Stadium on the SMU campus...
selected him in the first round (fourth overall) of the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
college draft. After seeing no first team time during his rookie season, the Tornado sent him to the Memphis Rogues
Memphis Rogues
The Memphis Rogues were a professional soccer team in the former North American Soccer League. They operated in the 1978, 1979, and 1980 seasons and played their home games in Memphis' Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.-History:...
where he played sparingly over two seasons. In 1979, Grimaldi moved to indoor soccer with the Cleveland Force
Cleveland Force (1978 – 1988)
The original Cleveland Force was one of the six charter franchises in the original Major Indoor Soccer League . The team played from 1978 to 1988 at the Richfield Coliseum, the home of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and occasionally drew crowds in excess of 20,000 in the mid-80's.Akron businessman Eric J...
of the Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
. He spent three seasons with the Force. In 1981, he returned to outdoor soccer with the Cleveland Cobras
Cleveland Cobras
The Cleveland Stars were an American soccer club based in Cleveland, Ohio and a member of the American Soccer League in 1972-73. Before the 1974 season, the name was changed to the Cleveland Cobras. The Stars' colors were blue and white...
of the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
before retiring in 1982.
Grimaldi then entered the business world. Over the years, he worked for American Express
American Express
American Express Company or AmEx, is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in Three World Financial Center, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. Founded in 1850, it is one of the 30 components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company is best...
and FedEx
FedEx
FedEx Corporation , originally known as FDX Corporation, is a logistics services company, based in the United States with headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee...
. He later became Deputy Commissioner of the MISL
Major Indoor Soccer League (2001–2008)
The Major Indoor Soccer League was the top professional indoor soccer league in the USA. The league was a member of both the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA. The MISL had replaced the NPSL which folded in 2001. According to MISL.net, the league has ceased operations as of May 31, 2008...
. In 2009 he was appointed Commissioner of the National Indoor Soccer League
National Indoor Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League , formerly known as the National Indoor Soccer League, is an indoor soccer league which began play in 2008. It is the third league to be known as the Major Indoor Soccer League...
.