Meet Filip Prus; The new DFE ticket rep!

Sadly the DFE had to say goodbye to one of our most favorite FC Dallas front office staff members last month. We lost Alex Bagnall who in our opinion was the top ticket agent at FC Dallas stadium. Alex not only cared about the DFE, but he cared about the growth of our group. Alex believed in FC Dallas, and he loved soccer. He wanted nothing more than to see a true soccer atmosphere at FC Dallas stadium.

Alex, just know that you are loved by us all. We look forward to having you back at FC Dallas stadium soon…sitting with the DFE in section 103; with the group you helped to build!

After numerous meetings with FC Dallas front office we both were able to find a new ticket agent that not only is going to continue the service that Alex gave us, but is going to go above and beyond to help the DFE reach the goals that we want in section 103.

I’m very happy to introduce you all to Filip Prus!

I had the chance to sit down with Filip last week and visit about the DFE and get to know him. Some of you at the last match had the chance to meet him when he came to sit with us in section 103. I gotta tell you, the moment he got to our section we scored two goals. I’m not saying he is good luck…but we might be searching for him to come sit with us again!

The one thing I can tell you about Filip is that he knows soccer, and he is passionate about helping us grow our group! Below you can read a little more about Filip and our discussion.

Quick Facts:

Favorite EPL Club: Newcastle United

Favorite FC Dallas player: Brek Shea

Originally from: Poland- He even has the crest tattooed on his arm!

Fun Facts:

1. His father who is a FIFA official was the first MLS  official to give David Beckham a yellow card! After the match, David Beckham autographed the yellow card

2. Filip is currently has the exact same haircut as Brek Shea!

3. Filip was a keeper at the University of South Carolina.

The DFE is honored to be getting an agent as motivated and excited as yourself. Would you like to tell us a little bit about yourself and how you came to work for the club?

I began my sports career as an Operations Intern at Major League Soccer Headquarters in Manhattan, accounting for all MLS team travel expenses and fulfilling Game Day Notices for each match. At the conclusion of this internship, I took a position with Aregatta Sports Management, a New Jersey-based NFL agency where I negotiated sponsorships for NFL clients and also helmed the Creative department. In October of 2010, I tested my mettle and accepted a position as Director of Marketing for the Trenton Steel, an expansion arena football franchise in New Jersey where I operated the team’s social media efforts and handled all creative requests, as well as negotiating sponsorships for the team. Looking for a Major League opportunity, I came on board with FC Dallas in November as part of their Corporate Sales team and I am looking forward to being the chief liaison for DFE!

What were your initial thoughts when you found out you would be our main guy from the club?

Opportunity. I chose FC Dallas over four other MLS offers in November because I saw the Dallas market as one with the most opportunity, and the ability to be a part of a fairy-tale success story excited me. I think DFE epitomizes the very same principles with the group’s vision and mission and their commitment to growing the authentic soccer fan in the DFW area. Teams like Seattle and Portland are the backbone of this league with their ardent core of supporters, and DFE is the grassroots initiative that, in conjunction with other efforts, will put FC Dallas on par with these groups sooner rather than later. The opportunity to be a catalyst in revolutionizing the FC Dallas fan base is something I can really be proud of, and I am confident that DFE is the fulcrum of doing so.

As a staff member with the club, how valuable do you believe supporters are for the club?

Paramount. The supporters are what the league thrives on as they inject the emotion and atmosphere that make football the most popular sport on the planet, as well as making physically going to a football match more desirable than simply watching on the couch. So many times I will be on the phone with someone who recently attended their first FC Dallas game, and I hear “Hey, put me next to the guys with the drums. The rowdy guys. They’re fun.” There is a reason that 98% of our fan base would recommend an FC Dallas game to a friend, and supporters comprise about 97.99% of that reason in my opinion.

 In your experience with the DFE, why do you believe the DFE will continue to grow?  How do you think you can help this process?

 DFE is an open-minded and welcoming football fraternity that prides itself on welcoming all potential members of the FC Dallas family, rather than just targeting the “hardcore soccer fan.” This perspective will allow for a higher volume of members joining for the 2013 season and beyond, and their seating location in 103 is a coveted section in terms of vantage point in breaking down the field of play. This philosophy will open doors for me in my corporate and individual efforts to especially recruit clients that I bring to the Stadium for the first time who absolutely fall in love with the FC Dallas environment and want to immerse themselves in our culture.  

The DFE is looking for more than just an agent, we want someone who is down to earth and lives for the club like we do. Let’s learn a little bit more about you.

Born in Poland, grew up on the Jersey Shore. Attended University of South Carolina. I love to surf but living in Texas has certainly challenged my ability to do so! Currently engaged with three dogs  and live right here in Frisco. Big time soccer nut that grew up in a soccer household as my father was a FIFA and MLS Referee since the league’s inception in 1996. Follow Newcastle in England and favorite NFL team is the Jacksonville Jaguars. Favorite beer is Newcastle Ale.

Do you have anything you would like to say to the group, and to people who are on the fence about joining the group?