"TO GET THIS SCARF AND HAVE THE CLUB SAY THANKS MEANS SO MUCH.”

What does it mean for you to be a Devotion Scarf recipient?

“I can’t tell you how much it means to put all this time in and photographing this club for over 20 years and having the opportunity to be on the pitch every game and photographing the history of the club. When I think back about my photography career and I think about the one client that made it for me was the Earthquakes and the Clash. Being a part of that first season in San Jose was the biggest jump-start to my career. To get this scarf and have the club say thanks means so much.”

How was the first season with the Quakes and how did the opportunity come about to be the club’s photographer?

“I was working at the 1994 World Cup just doing operations. I had worked for a newspaper before and I was trying to get into sports photography and when they announced that there was going to be MLS after the World Cup, I hounded the media director as much as possible to get the job, but unfortunately they already had a club photographer. There was an opportunity to shoot a party and they loved the pictures. The opportunity then came about to be a team photographer and I just jumped at the chance. I look back at it all and that’s the one opportunity that made it all happen for me.

"I STILL REMEMBER VIVIDLY RUNNING OUT ON THE FIELD AND PHOTOGRAPHING THE PILE UP AND JUST BEING IN AWE AT WHAT THESE GUYS HAD DONE."

What was your favorite moment to be a part of during you time here?

“My favorite moment that I’ve ever been a part of was the greatest game ever played when we came back and beat the Galaxy and scored those five goals. I still remember vividly running out on the field and photographing the pile up and just being in awe at what these guys had done. The great thing about that game was that my wife’s parents were in town from Texas and that was the first soccer game they’ve ever see in their life. Another favorite moment came in the first game this season. With our new enhanced access with video and photo, one of the greatest things for me this year was to run onto the field and shoot the huddle shot. To be on the field with the players before the game, no one else gets to do that. I was just giddy that I was able to do that.”

This may be a tough question to answer, but what is your favorite photograph you’ve taken with the club?

“The greatest photograph I’ve taken was the championship down in LA when we won the MLS Cup. There’s a shot of Donovan celebrating on the field and he’s so pumped up. It’s a moment of him yelling at the fans and celebrating. For me, it kind of summed it all up in being a part of his career and documenting his play.”

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“IT WOULDN’T HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT THE QUAKES."

Talk about International Sports Images (ISI Photos) and what the company is about.

“It wouldn’t have happened without the Quakes. It existed since 1994 and I went to work for the United States team during the 2002 World Cup for the owner of ISI. It happened because I was the Quakes photographer and we had met on the sidelines and kind of made that connection. We took it over in 2003 and we’re been running it ever since. It makes just a nice partnership with the U.S. soccer teams. Sharpening my skills all the time at the Quakes games allows us to shoot these national team games and get the content we want.”

Where are you from and where do you currently reside in the Bay Area?

“I’m a Towny from Palo Alto. I came to Earthquakes games in the 70’s with my AYSO soccer team. I still live in Palo Alto and I still can’t believe I’m living in my hometown.”

What would your message be to all the Quakes fans you’ve encountered over the years?

“I just want to say how much I appreciate them. I come to every single game because it’s my job and it’s my passion. I would be here on the field shooting for free. To the fans that have made what this club is, thank you for your devotion. I remember the early days in Spartan that had the incredible passion and the rise of the passion here at Avaya Stadium. I just want to say thank you."