WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- Kyle Krause, owner of the Des Moines Menace soccer team and president and CEO of convenience retailer Kum & Go LC, has been inducted into the United Soccer Leagues (USL) Hall of Fame.
Krause is one of nine 2011 honorees, chosen through a vote of current Hall of Fame members and USL teams. He joins the hall's list of "Builders"--those leaders who have successfully elevated the sport in the USL's 25-year history.
"Personally, I have to admit I was surprised when I heard the news that I was part of this Hall of Fame class," said Krause, who spoke briefly during the ceremony after being introduced by Menace general manager Todd Meiners. "I'm honored to be selected, but this is really an honor for the Menace organization to be recognized."
Krause purchased majority ownership of the Menace in 1998.
The Menace has flourished under Krause's leadership, building a reputation as one of the country's most respected amateur soccer organizations, Kum & Go said in a press statement. The team has consistently led the USL Premier Development League (PDL) in attendance, while competing at high level and developing a long list of future professional soccer players.
In Krause's time as owner, the franchise has qualified for the PDL playoffs on eight occasions (winning the league title in 2005) and made six appearances in the Lamer Hunt U.S. Open Cup. More than 50 former Menace players have gone on to professional careers, including more than 20 alumni who have played for Major League Soccer teams.
"It's a passion for the game, providing fans in central Iowa with high-level soccer," Krause said. "We provide positive family-friendly entertainment for our community. Having a great fan base, their support has allowed the Menace to be so successful. The quality of play we have is something our young soccer players can see first-hand, and something they can aspire to reach."
The Menace organization had only one full-time employee in 1998. Today, a full-time staff of six works year-round to grow soccer at many levels, including the organization's popular youth programs.
"It's been a steady progress of continual improvement," Krause said.
Through the years, the Menace has been one of the league's few constants. Only three other PDL teams from 1998 are current league members who have played continuously in the league: the Michigan Bucks (founded in 1996), the Indiana Invaders (1998) and the Kansas City Brass (1998). Michigan is the only PDL franchise that has won more games and made more playoff appearances than Des Moines, which is 173-101-26 since the franchise's inaugural 1994 season.
Entering the 19th year of Menace soccer, Krause and the organization keep aiming high. "We want to continue to grow our fan base, succeed on the field and raise the talent of all the players we have," Krause said. "To also grow our camps, our tournaments, our academy and now the women's team [announced last week]. The challenge is, 'How do we make sure we're the best at everything we do? How do we keep getting better on all fronts?'"
The Des Moines Menace provides the highest level of soccer in Iowa. The Menace men's side competes in the 64-team USL's PDL. The Menace's women's team prepares for its inaugural season, as part of the six-team Women's League Soccer. The Menace teams play their home matches at Valley Stadium in West Des Moines, Iowa. The organization promotes a healthy lifestyle through its popular youth programs, including the Menace Academy (select soccer for ages nine to 19), camps, clinics and tournaments.
West Des Moines-based Kum & Go currently has approximately 440 stores in 11 states (Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming).
(For more on Kum & Go, see the January issue of CSP magazine.)
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