WHO ARE WE?
BOARD MEMBERS
Meet the dedicated individuals leading the Tampa Bay Soccer Hall of Fame. Each board member brings a unique blend of experience, passion, and commitment to preserving and promoting Tampa Bay’s rich soccer history.
ED AUSTIN
SEAN CONIGLIO
Austin was an All-American at Hartwick College who celebrated professional success with two national-championship squads: the 1975 Tampa Bay Rowdies and the 1977 New Jersey Americans. He grew up in Scotland, sharpened his skills in New Jersey, then thrived as part of the beloved Rowdies team that claimed the North American Soccer League title.
He later built a prominent career in sports administration, working as Chief Operating Officer for the Tampa Bay Mutiny and earning Major League Soccer’s Operations Executive of the Year twice. Austin also served as Game Day Producer for the 1994 World Cup, the 1996 Olympic Games, and managed the 2011 Gold Cup in Tampa. Beyond soccer, he spent 16 years in marketing at Saint Leo University, fusing his sports insight with an ability to guide organizations toward their goals.
Coniglio is a third-generation Tampa native who played at Tampa Catholic High School and later competed at Andrew College and the University of Tampa. Despite a career-shortening injury, he stayed active in professional operations, contributing to clubs like the Tampa Bay Terror and the Tampa Bay Mutiny.
He now serves as Managing Partner of HCP Associates, bringing over two decades of leadership in strategy and organizational planning. Coniglio also co-founded the FC Tampa Rangers to grow youth soccer, host coaching clinics, and create ties with top overseas academies, underscoring his longstanding love for the game.
CON FOLEY
CHARLES GALLAGHER
Foley arrived in America from Dublin, Ireland, on a soccer scholarship at the University of South Florida, where he was a defensive leader for four years. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rowdies, but he soon shifted to teaching and coaching, guiding King High School’s girls soccer program to two Final Four runs.
He later led Gold Cup Coffee as president, CEO, and part-owner, boosting its annual revenue by nearly 450 percent. Foley now advises small, family-owned coffee companies, yet he remains firmly tied to Tampa’s soccer scene, passing on his expertise from the pitch to the business world.
Gallagher played soccer at Orlando Lake Highland Prep before moving on to Rollins College. His drive on the field carried over into his law practice, which centers on insurance litigation, foreclosure defense, real-estate litigation, business law, and consumer law.
He has been admitted to argue cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and multiple federal courts. Gallagher remains invested in community service, contributing to pro bono causes such as the Community Law Program, reinforcing the thoughtful dedication he first learned on the soccer field.
FARRUKH QURAISHI
RICK REINKE
Quraishi, the 1974 Hermann Award winner and the first-ever Tampa Bay Rowdies draft pick, was part of the 1975 NASL title team and earned Most Valuable Player honors that season. His belief in the game’s global reach fueled a successful transition to front-office leadership, serving as president and general manager for the Tampa Bay Mutiny and the modern-era Rowdies.
He also guided the Orlando venue during the 1994 World Cup, earning it top acclaim. Quraishi remains devoted to advancing the sport through nonprofit work, building safe-play fields, and championing soccer’s growth in the Tampa Bay community.
Reinke discovered soccer’s fascination in 1977 when he joined the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ front office, assisting with travel, merchandising, and player housing. Though he never played the game, he quickly grew enthralled by the sport’s energy and community appeal.
He spent most of his professional career at the American Automobile Association (AAA), guiding logistics and real-estate development while representing the club on the Westshore Business Alliance board. Now retired, Reinke is excited to reconnect with the game he came to love, helping preserve its local heritage.
FRED SIKORSKI
PERRY VAN DER BECK
Sikorski was a championship-winning prep player in St. Louis before taking his talents to the University of South Florida. In 1977, he signed with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and continued playing competitively in semi-professional and local leagues, channeling his trademark diligence and willpower.
For four decades, Sikorski has worked in homebuilding, serving as a senior executive with M/I Homes and acting as a Life Director for the Tampa Bay Builders Association. He has stayed close to soccer through refereeing high-school matches and coaching youth teams, blending professional success with a deep love for the game.
Van Der Beck broke new ground as the first NASL player drafted from high school, playing for the Tampa Bay Rowdies at 18. He captained the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team, earned 23 appearances for the U.S. Men’s National Team, and had his Rowdies jersey No. 12 retired in his honor.
Over four decades, Van Der Beck has served as player, coach, technical director, general manager, and league vice president, including a stint as Tampa Bay Mutiny head coach. He still runs Camp Kikinthagrass, a staple in Tampa Bay youth soccer since 1975, sharing his boundless enthusiasm for the sport.