SIASL History
The Southern Illinois Adult Soccer League was formed in 2002 by its first president Jeff Doyle
when he became "frustrated at the lack of soccer-playing opportunities in the area", as he expressed
in an article in
The Southern Illinoisan newspaper during the 2006 World Cup.
Details about
the beginnings of the league have been put in writing by Jeff Doyle himself.
There are two campaigns per year - Spring and Fall. The league featured four teams in its inaugural
season of Fall 2002 - teams Red, White,
Gold, and Green.
Current Team Blue started out as Gold,
but changed colors and name before the Fall 2003 season in order to be more distinguishable from the referees'
yellow uniforms. Interestingly, the first two seasons were played in a tournament style.
The game-winning team was awarded six points, while a tie was worth three points.
A point was alloted for every goal scored up to three. So a 3:0 victory counted for nine points.
That way the regular season winners of Fall 2002 and Spring 2003 ended up with 68 and 57 points, respectively.
Rather fascinating.
The first ever champion was Team Green.
Since Fall 2003, games have been played according to MLS rules in terms of points awarded. That season
also saw the introduction of the first expansion team - Orange. This step was
significant as it showed the potential of soccer in Southern Illinois.
One season later, in Spring 2004, SIASL added another side - Purple - to bring
the total number of teams to six. In only one season since, the league has fielded just five teams (Fall 2005).
Nonetheless, the ultimate goal of the SIASL is the establishment of eight teams.
Team Purple managed to win the SIASL Cup in Fall 2004 after finishing dead-last in the regular
season. From last to first - only possible in the SIASL!
In 2006, teams Red and Orange changed their names to Big Red and Orange Revolution, respectively.
The Fall 2006 was a season of transition. With its founder, Jeff Doyle, leaving
Southern Illinois for personal reasons, the Board of Directors of the SIASL experienced a complete make-over.
New people are in charge of the league, but with the same commitment and dedication.
A milestone was reached on October 21st 2006, when Tom Schaffnit scored the 1000th goal in the history of
the SIASL.
With the addition of the Brown Baggers in spring 2007, the SIASL
expended again and is now seven teams strong.
For the Fall 2007 season, teams White and Purple merged and played as Whiple.
Honors:
For complete results and standings click the corresponding links above.
