The Earthquakes are set to honor former Earthquakes employee and longtime season ticket holder Constantin “Gus” Mavroudis at Friday's game against the Houston Dynamo. In the early 1970s, Mavroudis was a key figure in establishing the Quakes in the South Bay alongside club owner Milan Mandaric. Since then, he has been a proud season ticket holder of the Quakes and continues to attend matches with his daughter Christina.
SJEQ: We heard that you used to essentially be the team manager for the team back in the 1970s. Talk about that experience and how it all started.
GM: "I used to play soccer in my youth and wanted to get involved with soccer when I moved to California. I played goalkeeper for the University of San Francisco then coached South Bay youth teams. In 1970, I volunteered with the CYSA (California Youth Soccer Association) as Treasurer.
In 1972, I started the PAL Youth Soccer League (Police Athletic League) and was approached by Mike, the parent of a young player, who asked me to meet his good friend Milan Mandaric. I met with Milan and was asked to negotiate with the commissioner Phil Woosnam of the NASL (North American Soccer League) and sports promoter Lamar Hunt to set up a team in San Jose vs. San Francisco. San Jose had the youth teams already seeded in the valley whereas San Francisco was just starting. With my friend Fred Nourzad, we all met in San Francisco to begin the process. After two hours of negotiations and using the excellent development of youth soccer leagues in San Jose, they agreed to follow our suggestion.
I volunteered as controller of the Earthquakes that inaugural season. My whole family was involved with the newly formed team: my wife Mary and son John helped with the clean, fluff and folding of uniforms, my daughter Christina was a press hostess for the media and kept a detailed historic scrapbook, and young son Raymond was our in-house cheering squad. I had the PAL coaches ushering at Spartan Stadium games and encouraged their young teams to watch professional soccer games. During that first year in 1974, I took numerous photos of the team including one now considered the official team photo."
SJEQ: How does it feel to be in the new stadium?
GM: "Wonderful! We have come a long way from crumbling but affectionate Spartan Stadium and the loaned Buck Shaw Stadium. To have a place of our own, one that is comparable to the other professional venues, is a dream come true."
SJEQ: What is your most memorable moment in Quakes history?
GM: "When we beat the Galaxy for the MLS championship crown in 2001 and 2003.
My daughter Christina’s favorite moment was the final regulation game on August 10, 1974 when Earthquakes beat Los Angeles Aztecs 5-0. It was a romp she’ll never forget. Paul Child scored two, Art Welch, Mani Hernandez, and Johnny Moore scored one each. The packed home-crowd generated over-the-top enthusiasm spurred on by Krazy George.
Our time with the Earthquakes was cut short in 1975 when we had to move to Los Angeles and opened a soccer store. But our love and spirit were always with the team. We watched or listened to the games and followed their achievements from afar until we returned to the Bay Area in 1982. It’s been Quakes every year for over four decades."
SJEQ: Who are your favorite players and why?
GM: "Back in the day, every player had a place in our heart. They were a team, and each contributed their talents towards a winning purpose. But taking into consideration the different positions, I would have to say: Paul Child (forward), Art Welch (midfield), Gabbo Gavrich (back/captain) and Mirko Stojanovic (goalkeeper). To this day, Christina can name all the players, positions, and jersey numbers.
Now? I enjoy watching the talents of Chris Wondolowski, Shea Salinas, and David Bingham. They each provide such riveting action, visible talent, and team sportsmanship."
SJEQ: What makes the Earthquakes different from anything else you support?
GM: "I have such a long history with the team that they feel like my family."
