CanadianSoccerFan Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11688_3200561,00.html I'd love to see him as Chief Executive for the CSA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 What on earth convinces you that because he was a competent professional footballer that he is automatically a capable corporate executive ready to step into a senior management position? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadianSoccerFan Posted February 26, 2008 Author Share Posted February 26, 2008 What on earth convinces you that anybody currently on the CSA board is competent enough to spell their own name correctly? I'd take street smarts over all the crap we've had to put with in the past. He's a proven leader who is openly passionate about righting the CSA ship. Is he a book smarts guy who's going to be able to detailed cost-benefit analysis etc? probably not. Is he a ball buster who will get **** done and move the CSA in the right direction? I'd say so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadasBest Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 quote:Originally posted by CanadianSoccerFan What on earth convinces you that anybody currently on the CSA board is competent enough to spell their own name correctly? I'd take street smarts over all the crap we've had to put with in the past. He's a proven leader who is openly passionate about righting the CSA ship. Is he a book smarts guy who's going to be able to detailed cost-benefit analysis etc? probably not. Is he a ball buster who will get **** done and move the CSA in the right direction? I'd say so. I wouldn't say that DeVos is the BEST choice to hold an executive position with the CSA, but like you said he couldn't possibly be any worse than the current bunch. He does have some good personality traits he shows on the pitch that would make him suitable for a senior executive position. Hypothetically speaking a guy like DeVos wouldn't be coming in with any hidden agendas which would be a huge bonus. I believe DeVos actually does have some book smarts and was working on his Economics degree before he had kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe MacCarthy Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 quote:Originally posted by gwallace76 http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/Canada/2006/06/09/1622760-sun.html "We bought a house in Vancouver and our intention was to live there, because that's where Rachael's from," de Vos said yesterday. "I told her I would happily live wherever she wanted if she would follow me wherever I played football." But as they talked about life after soccer, plans changed. De Vos is working on an economics degree. "I put it on hold when we had kids. There's lots of down time in football, but it's a pretty demanding career," he said. "I wanted to use all my free time to be with the kids, so I put my academic career on hold for a while and use all my free time to be with the kids." He thought about completing his degree at the University of British Columbia. "But in rush hour, it's a two-hour drive from my home. So we looked at our other options and London came up," de Vos said. "It's a great place to raise a family and it's a big city now. Western has always been my preferred choice of university." http://www.lfe.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=252&Itemid=119 The OU (Open University) has always been a popular choice for footballers. Ipswich Town captain Jason de Vos and former football managers Dave Sexton and Craig Brown are also among the OU's graduate hall of fame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe MacCarthy Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Don't recall seeing this posted anywhere. This would be the kind of attitude and skillset that I would like to see at the helm of the CSA some day. http://tinyurl.com/2jwsly Jason De Vos recalls his schooldays 26 November 2007 I was born in Ontario in a city called London. My parents are both Dutch, hence the name, and they both emigrated to Canada before I was born. I have one brother, Julian, who is just 13 months older than me. Having a brother who is virtually the same age was wonderful because I always had a playmate around. When we were young, my parents decided they wanted to raise us in the country so, we moved to a house about half an hour outside London. In Canada, elementary schools go from Kindergarten at age five up to grade eight, which is around 13 years old. After that, it's high school from grades nine to 12. I had some wonderful teachers. One of them, Ann Edwards, still teaches at the same Catholic elementary school. My mum and dad live in the house where I grew up so they see her all the time at church. She is always really happy to hear how I'm getting on. My first school was a very tight-knit community. Everyone cared about everyone else's kids. If you were out of order, your mum and dad would get to know very quickly. You don't appreciate it at the time, but I now realise that those teachers really did care about us and wanted us to be successful. Everything they did was done with our best interests in mind. They weren't just being mean, they were trying to teach me something. I learnt a lot from my teachers outside of class. They taught me about life, the work ethic and how to be a good person. I think teaching is one of those jobs where you never get the credit you deserve. My best friend is a teacher now and he takes pride in knowing that he has helped people achieve their dreams. My brother and I had a great childhood. As soon as we got home from school we'd be out and about getting involved in sport and other outdoors things. I started playing competitive sports from about the age of 12 - football in the summer and ice hockey in the winter. My dad had played professional football, which is why I was drawn towards the sport. As soon as my parents realised that football might be a way for me to earn a living they said: “No matter what happens, you must finish your education first.” So, I learnt very early on that, if I wanted to achieve my sporting ambitions, I'd have to achieve my educational ones too. I was always quite academic - that's down to my parents and my brother. Julian is a very bright guy, a self-taught computer genius. Whether it was in lessons or in sports, he always set the bar for me. He was the one I emulated. He set the standards and I would try to beat him. Growing up with him taught me about competitiveness, determination and how to be successful. Academically, I wasn't focussed on one particular area - I liked all the subjects. I enjoyed writing and English but I also liked maths and science. By 14, I started to have a certain amount of control over my curriculum but I found it difficult to decide what to do. After all, when you are just 14, how do you know what career you want to go into? Computer studies was a subject that I chose to specialise in. It's fantastic that I did because, these days, computers are such a massive part of society. I studied French up the age of 18 but I learnt more French living in Montreal for six months than I did in 12 years of taking French lessons. When you live in a city where you don't speak the language you have to learn quickly. I was playing football there and a lot of my team mates spoke French in the dressing room so I had to pick up the language. I have two young children and I'd love them to speak fluent French. In fact, we looked for a French immersion school for my daughter but, although there are a lot in Canada, we couldn't find any around here. I went to a Catholic high school but I wouldn't say we were strict Catholics. My mum took us to church a lot but we were raised to make up our own minds and figure things out for ourselves. We didn't wear uniform at elementary school but in high school we did. Initially, I hated having to wear the same boring clothes as everyone else but I came round to the idea. People are stereotyped according to what they wear so, having a dress code lets you get to know people you might otherwise ignore. One day we had a non-dress code day and one of my friends came to school dressed head-to-toe in black and studded chains. It turned out he was into heavy metal and his favourite band was Kiss - I would never have guessed that. I didn't set out to be a footballer. When I was 18 or 19 I never thought that I would make a living out of the game. To be honest, I'm a bit surprised that I'm still playing now. I love football, it's a wonderful game and I'll play it for as long as my body allows, but I've never looked on it as the thing that will define my life. In this country a lot of footballers leave school at 16 and I think that is quite sad. I think more emphasis should be placed on players staying in school and getting an education. Part of me has always fancied being a doctor but, as you go through life, you have to adapt your goals and expectations. As soon as the children came along, I realised that becoming a doctor wasn't a viable option. The studying would take up a large portion of my time and my kids are only young once. When I was playing for Darlington I started a physiotherapy degree at Salford University but, six weeks into the course, I was sold to Dundee United. Football-wise it was a great career move, but it meant I had to stop my degree. I have always wanted to go back to university and be immersed in an academic environment. I sometimes feel like I've missed out because I left high school at the age of 18. Being a footballer I don't have the time to attend lectures fulltime so I study via distance-learning. At the moment I'm in the middle of studying an economics degree with the Open University. When I became a footballer I wanted to learn more about money and investments - that's what drove me towards economics. Finding time to study is tough and, at the moment, I've had to put the course on hold but I would urge any footballer to pursue the same route - the Open University have so many subjects on offer. Whatever I do, I always try to do it to the best of my abilities. Whether it is football, studying or parenting….if you aim to be mediocre you will be, so you might as well aim to be the best. 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nolando Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 De Vos ready to hang up his boots Tue 26 Feb, 08:31 PM Ipswich captain Jason De Vos is preparing to retire at the end of the term as playing for another Football League club "would be a step down".The 34-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and is planning to return to his native Canada if - as he expects - he is not offered a new deal by manager Jim Magilton. He told the Evening Star: "I expect this to be my last football club because playing for anyone else would be a step down unless, improbably, I were to go to a Premier League club. "I'm very happy at Ipswich and I have no desire to play for anyone else. I don't foresee myself playing for anyone other than Ipswich Town. The gaffer knows that and he knows I'm happy here. "My intention has always been at the end of my playing career to return to Canada and pursue whatever opportunities present themselves to me and the media is something I'm keen to do in the future. "At the moment, football is my job and it is my desire to win promotion. That is the goal we have set ourselves and if a run of form can materialise we can still go up automatically." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolando Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Joe MacCarthy We may have already had this discussion when the article originally came out, but where do you figure this was - did JDV buy a house in Chilliwack? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolando Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Well I guess this silences all the quacks like me who figured he would be good cover in a pinch come WCQ time. Nice to see a guy go out exactly how he wants, and from a fan's point of view, is nicer then seeing him fade away at a Luton or even lower division team, for example. Finishing on top (from his perspective) must be not a bad way to go. Now, if they could only promote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpg75 Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Guys, take it easy, he hasn't retired yet! He's just saying, if he doesn't re-sign with Ipswich then he'll retire....or come back to Toronto FC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ref Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Jason DeVos would be perfect to lead the CSF into a modern, progressive and professional soccer organization. He has seen the CSA people for what they are and was never afraid to say so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest speedmonk42 Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Why exactly would you assume he is a the right person to run a national federation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ref Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 quote:Originally posted by speedmonk42 Why exactly would you assume he is a the right person to run a national federation? After many years of hiring persons for high level positions I have developed a sixth sense with which to judge. But of course formal interviews and presentation of credentials is still required. I met Jason once. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 quote:Originally posted by CanadianSoccerFan What on earth convinces you that anybody currently on the CSA board is competent enough to spell their own name correctly? I'd take street smarts over all the crap we've had to put with in the past. He's a proven leader who is openly passionate about righting the CSA ship. Is he a book smarts guy who's going to be able to detailed cost-benefit analysis etc? probably not. Is he a ball buster who will get **** done and move the CSA in the right direction? I'd say so. We need improvement at the CSA, not yet another bumbling, inexperienced amateur manager at the helm no matter how good a footballer and nice guy he might have been. It takes more than street smarts and football skills to be a really good corporate CEO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 quote:Originally posted by The Ref Jason DeVos would be perfect to lead the CSF into a modern, progressive and professional soccer organization. He has seen the CSA people for what they are and was never afraid to say so. It is easy to be an armchair critic, it is quite another thing to actually do the job successfully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ref Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Richard It is easy to be an armchair critic, it is quite another thing to actually do the job successfully. You are darned right! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desigol Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Devos running the CSA would be nice. Someone who has played for, and Captained, Canada. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beaver Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Forget Chilliwack--try Hope. I'm sure he could buy a nice house in Burnaby. CL quote:Originally posted by nolando Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadianSoccerFan Posted February 27, 2008 Author Share Posted February 27, 2008 quote:We need improvement at the CSA, not yet another bumbling, inexperienced amateur manager at the helm no matter how good a footballer and nice guy he might have been. It takes more than street smarts and football skills to be a really good corporate CEO. Never said he was a good footballer or a nice guy. I do recall mentioning his proven leadership and passion to fix the CSA. Even if it's in another role, His voice is needed in the CSA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SthMelbRed Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 There was another thread several weeks back that revealed that Gabe Gervais is finishing up his MBA from McGill. Jason DeVos is completing his economics degree, as well. I know that doesn't alone qualify either of them for a top role running the CSA, but you have to think that having former national team players, even NT Captain, in JDV's case, involved in some significant capacity would be beneficial. The fact that you have a couple who have some significant understanding of how a proper business might be run should be giving those in power pause to think. Get one or both of them involved in some capacity. Use their unique insight to affect positive change. Everybody has to start somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 quote:Originally posted by CanadianSoccerFan Never said he was a good footballer or a nice guy. I do recall mentioning his proven leadership and passion to fix the CSA. Even if it's in another role, His voice is needed in the CSA. Proven leadership in what capacity? Showing leadership amongst your team mates in the locker room and on the playing field is a very different proposition from running a multimillion dollar enterprise successfully. With comments like yours and those of a few other people here one can't help wondering what if any senior hands-on management experience you and they have ever had. I have not said JDV will never be capable of doing the job, he may well have many of the required attributes, but he sure doesn't have the requisite proven corporate/management experience. Few professional athletes do immediately after they give up playing, they need time and opportunity to gain the knowledge and experience required. Throw him straight into any significant CEO job and the chances are very good he will fall flat on his face metaphorically speaking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 quote:Originally posted by CanadianSoccerFan Never said he was a good footballer or a nice guy. I do recall mentioning his proven leadership and passion to fix the CSA. Even if it's in another role, His voice is needed in the CSA. Proven leadership in what capacity? Showing leadership amongst your team mates in the locker room and on the playing field is a very different proposition from running a multimillion dollar enterprise successfully. With comments like yours and those of a few other people here one can't help wondering what if any senior hands-on management experience you and they have ever had. I have not said JDV will never be capable of doing the job, he may well have many of the required attributes, but he sure doesn't have the requisite proven corporate/management experience. Few professional athletes do immediately after they give up playing, they need time and opportunity to gain the knowledge and experience required. Throw him straight into any significant CEO job and the chances are very good he will fall flat on his face metaphorically speaking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 quote:Originally posted by SthMelbRed There was another thread several weeks back that revealed that Gabe Gervais is finishing up his MBA from McGill. Jason DeVos is completing his economics degree, as well. I know that doesn't alone qualify either of them for a top role running the CSA, but you have to think that having former national team players, even NT Captain, in JDV's case, involved in some significant capacity would be beneficial. The fact that you have a couple who have some significant understanding of how a proper business might be run should be giving those in power pause to think. Get one or both of them involved in some capacity. Use their unique insight to affect positive change. Everybody has to start somewhere. Good for both of them for preparing themselves for second careers, very wise, but it takes more than a fresh university degree to run a major business operation. Excellent if they are willing and able to get involved in some capacity, they likely would have much to contribute but I would prefer an executive with proven abilities and experience running a multimillion dollar venture to fill any CEO position at the CSA, not some greenhorn straight from the playing field and nightschool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 quote:Originally posted by SthMelbRed There was another thread several weeks back that revealed that Gabe Gervais is finishing up his MBA from McGill. Jason DeVos is completing his economics degree, as well. I know that doesn't alone qualify either of them for a top role running the CSA, but you have to think that having former national team players, even NT Captain, in JDV's case, involved in some significant capacity would be beneficial. The fact that you have a couple who have some significant understanding of how a proper business might be run should be giving those in power pause to think. Get one or both of them involved in some capacity. Use their unique insight to affect positive change. Everybody has to start somewhere. Good for both of them for preparing themselves for second careers, very wise, but it takes more than a fresh university degree to run a major business operation. Excellent if they are willing and able to get involved in some capacity, they likely would have much to contribute but I would prefer an executive with proven abilities and experience running a multimillion dollar venture to fill any CEO position at the CSA, not some greenhorn straight from the playing field and nightschool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SthMelbRed Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 What part of 'in some capacity' don't you understand? I never said they should be made CEO. I said that they should be encouraged to get involved with the CSA. I said that their experience as national team players gives them a unique insight into how the CSA is doing at managing the game. The fact that they both have some understanding of economics can only help them, if they so choose to get involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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