Moment 5: There's Only One Joe Cummings

The 2009 season provide many associated with the Breakers to re-establish their Breaker-legend status (see Kristine Lilly and Angela Hucles) and allowed for the development of future legends (see the triumvirate of Kelly Smith, Alex Scott, and Amy LePeilbet). However, none of the Breaker-legends, past, present, or future, will be able to match the legendary status of one that never even took the field for the club. Of course we are referring to current NSCAA CEO Joe Cummings. For all intents and purposes, Joe was the Breakers during the six year hiatus between WUSA and WPS. However, many diehard Breaker fans know the importance of Joe to the Breakers family.

What is not as well known is his impact on individual members of Riptide as well as the group itself. It was Joe who sewed the seeds of a supporter's culture in the minds of many of the Riptide founders. It was Joe who permitted our president unprecedented access during the planning stages of the Breakers re-launch. In effect, it is because of Joe that our website is riptide08.com because he had us primed for a potential league launch of 2008.

Once Riptide was formed and plans were being discussed for our Dock supporters section, there was Joe (and Andy Crossley) helping us decide on section 14. When it came to questions about banners and flags, there was Joe to say (in effect) "the bigger, the better". Throwing streamers? Absolutely, just don't hit anyone. Joe laid the groundwork for much of what we accomplished in the stands by allowing us to create as much atmosphere as we could within reason.

When it was announced that Joe would be leaving the Breakers to take up the leadership role with the NSCAA, many of us in Riptide were equally shocked and pleased. We were shocked because he was leaving so soon after the re-launch of the Breakers. Yet we were pleased that not only was he being recognized nationally for his talents, but that he felt that the Breakers organization was secure enough for him to leave the general manager duties to others. Honoring him at the final home game featured the obligatory song from Pia Sundhage as well as tributes from around the US soccer world. Our president presented him with his very own Riptide scarf and laid down an open invitation to join us in the Dock anytime he is in the Boston area. Joe, we would love to see you in the Dock on April 18!