Ownership

Andrew Haines

Co-Owner/Managing Partner & Executive Board Member

Andrew Haines, a Sports Executive, Entrepreneur and marketing guru is currently president of HSE, a sports & entertainment marketing, and consulting company. For the past several years, HSE has worked with professional sports teams in soccer, arena football, baseball, as well as properties within the sports & entertainment industry. Andrew was also the VP of sales for the Fredericksburg Nationals baseball team until August 2020.

Andrew has served as General Manager, CEO, and Owner in the Major Arena Soccer League since 2012 until 2020. Most recently, Andrew was General Manager of the Orlando SeaWolves in the MASL. From 2015-2018, he owned and operated Central Florida Sports Ventures which owned Florida Tropics SC (indoor soccer), and Lakeland Tropics (outdoor soccer).

During 2012-2015, Andrew led STL Sports Ventures which owned and operated both the St. Louis Ambush (indoor soccer) and St. Louis Attack (arena football). Prior to 2012, Andrew has owned and operated several minor league sports teams, and leagues since 2001.

Outside of sport, Andrew has his Florida 2-20 Insurance License, along with Florida 2-14 Life Insurance License. In addition to insurance, Andrew is a licensed Real Estate Agent in Florida.

Andrew has always been committed to the community, having volunteers with dozens of non-profit organizations and at community events. He has also served on the board of Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement, Urban League, and the City-County Library Foundation.

With over 17 years of sales, marketing, and management experience within professional sports, Andrew had led some of the best front office staffs.

Awarded Top 50 in Business (St. Louis, MO), Best of the Best award from Street Scape Magazine in 2014.

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Michael Taylor

Co-Owner & Executive Board Member

Michael Taylor's longevity in professional sports is matched only by his success. Most recently Michael was the owner of the Florida Tarpons arena football team from 2012-2020. For the last eight years, his Florida Tarpons have played in five league championship games, winning two, including titles in 2013 – and in 2015.

His history goes back all the way to the early 2000s, with the San Angelo Texas, an expansion team in 2004 in the Intense Football League which earned a playoff berth in their inaugural season. The year following, as President of the Richmond Bandits in the Atlantic Indoor Football League, the Bandits won that league's championship, going 11-1, in their expansion season.

Specializing in development of expansion franchises Taylor was VP of the Fairbanks Grizzlies in Alaska in 2008.

Born and currently living in the greater Tampa area, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Sports Coaching Degree from the United States Sports Academy, and graduated high school from Hollow Rock Bruceton Central High School in Tennessee.

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The Di Serio Family

Minority Owner

Rocco Di Serio with his wife Giovanna and son Luigi are an Italian-Canadian family that have “calcio” (aka soccer) running through their veins. Rocco had a successful semi-professional career in Italy and in Canada growing up.

After severely breaking his leg he focused more on work, family and playing amateur instead of pursuing a career in soccer. Rocco’s passion for soccer was passed to his kids where he coached them growing up. Coaching his daughter’s team, Rocco won the Ontario Cup (the highest trophy in the province for their age group). Luigi played amateur and competitive soccer most of his life until forming his own team which he played and managed since 2005. Giovanna supported and cheered for her children’s and husband’s endless soccer adventures. She even helped administer and manage aspects of their various teams. Luigi’s teams won many trophies in a variety of leagues around Toronto, with Rocco, of course, coaching.

Luigi is also author of a non-fiction sports book called “Why Baseball is a Sport and Golf is Not”, which serves as an in-depth analysis of what the distinction is between games, athletic competitions, and sports.

Since Canada has such a cold, long winter, indoor soccer has always been a huge part of the soccer season and the Di Serio’s have a particular love for indoor soccer because it is fast, technical and has many resemblances to Canada’s national sport, hockey. Our family has spoken about trying our hand at a professional level team for many years and when the opportunity to get involved with Fayetteville Fury, Tampa Bay Strikers, and Central Florida Crusaders became available, the Di Serio family all immediately agreed (which doesn’t happen often in an Italian family!).

The Di Serio’s are excited and looking forward to being a part of the NISL and working with and supporting the Crusaders as best as they can and hope to grow and learn alongside our new colleagues, friends and team members during this new adventure.

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Nigel Orme

Minority Owner

Nigel Orme is a former rescue helicopter pilot who founded StratStep Group which has grown into a global group of 10 companies focused on pilot training, flight school development and technology projects fostering strategic growth and partnerships for a number of small and large companies around the world.

His lifelong love of soccer has been fuelled over the last few years by his sons, Monty and Max who both live in England. Monty is a goalie for an academy development team while he still plays for his local club and Max is a Centre-back for his local club. Both boys dream of playing at a professional level when they are older and can’t wait to support the Crusaders!

Originally from New Zealand, Nigel then spent many years living in Texas, Vermont and California before living in Saudi Arabia and England but is now back to sunny Florida. His humble career started as a special operations paramedic where after a number of years in the back of a helicopter he decided to go to flight school to complete his commercial pilot’s license flying both planes and helicopters.

After flying around the world and becoming a training captain in a variety of search and rescue aircraft Nigel focused on helping flight schools grow their business which is how StratStep Group was born. Soon came specialist marketing companies, technology companies and consulting companies within the Group all dedicated to expanding and growing companies within the aviation sector. Nigel was named the most influential aviation Managing Director of the year in 2022 by SME News.

Nigel is now motivated and excited to help grow the National Indoor Soccer League (NISL) although he still calls soccer, ‘football’ due to his years living in England. The exciting and motivated play of the Crusaders is what convinced him that they are his team to back, Go Crusaders!

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Duke Cooper

Minority Owner

Burton "Duke" Cooper is a native of the D.C, Maryland, and Virginia area, a Higher Education Consultant, and a United States Airforce Veteran.

Becoming part owner of a sports franchise fulfills a lifelong goal for Duke and his family. Duke had a strong upbringing in competitive sports. Duke (along with his wife Amie) played Division 1 basketball at Robert Morris University in Coraopolis, PA. Duke and Amie grew a passion for soccer watching his oldest child play. The hard work, competitiveness, "grit" and passion that is displayed during soccer games (at all levels) is amazing to watch. Duke and Amie have 3 children who are heavily involved in sports, so joining the Central Florida Crusaders is an interest that the entire family is looking forward to enjoying.

Duke and Amie are excited to join the Central Florida Crusaders team to help expand the game of indoor soccer (for Men and Women) in Florida, while and helping to grow the National Indoor Soccer League (NISL). Go Crusaders!

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