Harrisburg Heat:
David J. Grimaldi, General Manager
David J. Grimaldi, former defender and Captain of the Cleveland Force of the Major Indoor Soccer League, MISL Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner until it’s sale to the United Soccer League (USL) in May 2011, joined Harrisburg Heat and Sports City as General Manager in November of 2011.
Grimaldi returned to soccer in 2002 joining the MISL league office after a 20-year hiatus following his retirement from the Cleveland Force in 1982. After being drafted by the NASL’S Dallas Tornado by former US National Team and NASL Champion Philadelphia Atoms Coach, Al Miller, he caught the eye of Scottish International and Chelsea FC star Eddie McCreadie who secured his contract while coaching the NASL's Memphis Rogues and later the MISL's Cleveland Force.
Hailing from "The Banks of the Old Raritan", David, a Rutgers College graduate, 2-time Captain and Alfred Sasser Award Recipient worked for 20 years in executive management positions in operations and sales for such notable Fortune 500 companies as American Express, Continental Airlines and Federal Express Company. David leveraged his business and playing experience effectively while serving as Deputy Commissioner of the MISL. Grimaldi was responsible for all soccer operational functions such as player contracts, player/coach’s fines and disciplinary matters, league-wide scheduling, player loans, transfers and immigration related matters, competition related issues, game officials and other soccer related operational activities. Later assuming the helm as Commissioner of the MISL, David was responsible for returning the Milwaukee Wave to the MISL, as well as further expanding the league by adding the Kansas City Comets, Omaha Vipers and Wichita Wings.
When asked to reflect on some of his fondest soccer memories, David stated that being the first Rutgers soccer player drafted by both the NASL and ASL, having his jersey retired by Rutgers and playing with and against such international soccer greats as George Best, Rodney Marsh, Alan Hudson, Cubillas, Trevor Francis, Clyde Best, Mike England, Shep Messing and Steve Zungal to name a few, would by far be his most cherished soccer memories.
A Virginia native, David grew up in Europe, residing in Italy for over 8 years and 3 years in Germany. He and his wife Lori are proud parents of twins, Gabriella and David, and currently reside in Maryland.