The San Diego Sockers today named Aaron Susi the team’s director of player personnel, effective immediately.  Susi, 39, maintains his position as the team’s director of corporate sponsorships while adding his personnel duties in the front office. The recently retired seventeen-year indoor soccer veteran spent his final five seasons as Sockers captain, winning four PASL championships.

“Proper player evaluation and procurement are vital to any winning organization,” said Sockers general manager John Kentera, “Aaron has a great feel for players and the style the Sockers like to play. We thought this would be a great way for him to transition from his playing career.”

A Hall of Champions Star of the Year for 2013, Susi played seventeen seasons in the professional indoor game including two tours of duty with the Sockers franchise. Susi scored just under 600 points during his career, including 205 in five PASL seasons. During his time with the PASL Sockers, Susi netted 73 goals and 101 assists (174 points) in 65 games, wearing the captain’s armband for every game.

The Professional Arena Soccer League named their playoff MVP award the Aaron Susi Trophy, in honor of Susi having been the only player in league history to be a part of its first five championships (winning the inaugural season in Stockton before joining San Diego in 2009).

“This should be an easy transition for me,” said Susi of his new role, “I have a good relationship with players and teams around the country. It’s good to still be a part of this franchise and to have a go-between for the players and the front office.”

The Sockers went 13-3 in the 2013-14 PASL regular season and tied for the top spot in the Pacific Division, but lost to Las Vegas in the divisional final round of the league playoffs. With unification coming to the indoor game and the anticipation of one national league in 2014-15, Susi knows the challenge to stay on top is even greater than before in San Diego.

“We will continue to build this team and make it stronger,” said Susi, “We need to get younger. We’re trying to add a couple players, a few players who can compete for this team and contribute next year and for years to come. We have great talent here but want to add to it and bring in players who want to be here for the next three to five years.”

The Professional Arena Soccer League recently concluded its sixth year of competition, and is planning a major announcement on May 19th in regards to the league’s membership for 2014-15. The Sockers will return to action at the Valley View Casino Center in late October or early November for the 2014-15 PASL season. Season schedules and dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

Deposits on season ticket packages can be made now by contacting Sockers tickets manager Christine Morey at (866) 799-GOAL, by email at Christine@sockers.com, or online via www.sockers.com.