Month: October 2021

Today Lansing Common Football Club announced it has offered a raise and extension to Coach Josh Oakley, following an incredibly successful 2021 campaign and comprehensive review conducted by the board with members, players, and other community and club stakeholders. This also comes with an expansion of the salary pool for assistant coaches for the 2022 season and into the future.

Lansing Common’s 2021 season featured a Midwest Premier League record of 10-1-3 with 35 goals scored, good for second in the league and first among independent clubs (those MWPL clubs without affiliation with a professional club). The Robins did not lose a league match between May 28th and July 7th, an unbeaten streak of seven matches. 

“All of us are thrilled to be able to welcome Oaks back for another year,” said Eric Walcott, President of the Lansing Common Football Club. “We’re honored by and proud of the standard of excellence set by our coaches and players in our first season and can’t wait to see that in action for another year and into the future.”

“I’m extremely excited to have the chance to coach Lansing Common again in the 2022 season,” said Josh Oakley, Head Coach of the Lansing Common Football Club. “All thanks go to the club’s inaugural players, coaching staff, and the board. It is a fantastic honor to be able to continue the process of growth and success with this wonderful club.” 

Oakley brings over two decades of experience to LCFC. His experience ranges from collegiate coaching positions at NCAA Divisions I and III, to NAIA, as well as high school and club assignments. Oakley currently coaches for Michigan Jaguars serves as their Talent Identification Scout for MLS Next programs, and College Recruitment Coordinator. 

“The hard work of many set the club on solid footing in year one in many ways, not least of which was getting results on the field,” continued Oakley. “Our Common goal for the second year is simple: improve upon the first year, and all of us knows exactly what that means for the club.” 

Oakley has coached All-American soccer players at every institution he has served, and of the college and club players he’s worked with, over a half dozen have been drafted and/or signed to play at the next level. 

Originally from Illinois, Oakley has called the Lansing area home for more than a decade.

This week, Oakley was interviewed on the podcast The Robin Needed a Podcast, to talk about his return to Lansing Common. You can listen to that interview here, or find it in your regular podcast feed.

Our annual meeting took place on October 10 at Ozone’s and was a resounding success.  We had many members participating either in person or virtually and contributing to that process. For those who weren’t able to attend, here are a few highlights: 

• Board and Officer Elections – The 2022 Lansing Common FC Board is:
  • Eric Walcott – President
  • Geoff Sykes – Vice President
  • Steve Beckman – Secretary
  • Josh Pugh – Treasurer
  • Jay Biggs
  • Scott Oberlander
  • Erika Weadock

• Women’s Soccer – The membership supported a motion to begin planning to launch a women’s team no sooner than 2023. This does not mean that we are committed to launching a team in 2023, but that we are committed to that being part of our future and will take active steps to prepare for that.
• Board Terms – Our bylaws were amended to change Board terms from 2 years to 3 years, with staggered terms. This will allow us to continue to have at least 2 seats up for election every year while ensuring increased stability by not having all 7 members of the board up for election in the same year. 
• Long-term planning – We continued discussion and brainstorming towards long-term goals. Look for more information coming soon on those ideas and how you can be part of that process. 

Looking for Volunteers

As we look towards 2022 and continuing to build this club, WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! We have 6 active committees that each provide opportunities for members to volunteer. Whether you can attend every meeting, have some ideas to contribute, or just want to stay connected to what’s going on, we would love to have you join and contribute to helping us grow. 

Our current committees are: 

• Community Outreach
• Communications
• Merchandise
• Sponsorship
• Gameday Operations
• Finance

Anyone interested in being part of a committee should email info@lansingcommonfc.com.