Brief History of Cal South

It would be impossible to highlight every event that has helped shape our Association in its history, but the following should provide our members with a little background about our Association.

The predecessor to our Association was the Southern California Youth Soccer Organization (SCYSO) which was in existence from 1967 to 1973. It was the affiliated youth soccer division under the senior body, the California Soccer Association (CSA).

In 1974, at the Annual General Meeting of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), Don Greer and others established the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA). USYSA, at that time, was the youth division of the USSF and was later incorporated in 1984. In discussions with Norm Nielsen, Mr. Greer expressed the desire to start youth soccer associations in their own right. With this encouragement, Mr. Nielsen helped establish CAL SOUTH under the USSF/USYSA affiliation with 5,000 players. Four charter organizations comprised the fledgling association: CSL Jrs. Soccer League, PSL Jrs. Soccer League, Golden State Soccer League, and West Valley Soccer League.

In 1976, the Association grew to 8,500 when leagues from San Diego County joined, and by 1977, there were some 11,000 players in Los Angeles and San Diego counties. We grew to 15,000 players by 1978 and to 36,000 players in 1979, adding Orange County to the membership. Along the way, members were added in Ventura, Santa Barbara, Riverside, San Bernardino, and later Imperial, Kern and San Luis Obispo counties.

1979 saw the incorporation of CAL SOUTH and by 1980 the membership had grown to 32,000 players. By 1990 membership had grown to 62,000 players. Throughout the 1990’s, interest in youth soccer continued to accelerate (encouraged in part by the 1994 World Cup) such that, by 2000 the Cal South membership was about 96,000 players. Current membership is about 105,000 players. The figure below provides a graphical display of THE HISTORICAL growth in Cal South’s membership.

From its initial establishment in 1974, the annual operation budget for the Association has grown from less than about $25,000 to its current level of $3 million. Also, the necessity for a state office was realized and was first established in District 5 in June 1978, where it remained for four years. Prior to that, an administrative office was maintained in the home of Hope Weaver, Cal South Office Manager. In November 1982, the office was moved to a new facility in Anaheim, and remained in Anaheim until 1999, when the Association purchased its current 6,500 square foot facility in Fullerton.

Past Presidents:

Norm Nielsen // December 1977 to
Gary Patton // June 1979 to February 1980
Becky Sheridan // February 1980 to June 1980
Gil Oftedal // June 1980 to June 1981
Rod Chambers // June 1981 to June 1982
Reg Banks // June 1982 to
Roz Houser //
Lee Ann Harris //
John Harper // 1990 to 1996
Ray Horspool // 1996 to March 2000
Rod Short // March 2000 to October 2005
Gregg Falk // October 2005 to Present

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