Dynamo History

Dynamo Soccer Association

The Beginning - 1984

In 1980 Bob Lause and his family moved to Bourbonnais from Columbus Ohio. Their son had seen soccer being played in Columbus so when they moved here he wanted to play. Much to the families surprise no formal programs were available. In 1982, Alex Furgal a single parent wanted to share the love of the game of soccer with his son Troy. With no teams being formed in the area he started his own team and they played in the South Suburban League of Chicago. To find players for this team he placed an ad in the Daily Journal looking for children interested in participating. Bob Lause's son spotted the ad and called Alex Furgal and he was invited to attend the next practice. He made the team. Game shirts were purchased with funds given by Hardees Restaurant. They were simple orange t-shirts with Dynamo Soccer on the back. In 1984, several parents of this fledgling traveling program were standing around talking and the suggestion was put forth to start a soccer program in Bourbonnais. They met and Vic Wieliczko was elected President, Bob Lause Vice President, Marge Raymond Secretary and Nancy Rapier Treasurer. They all felt the need to be organized from the start. They developed by-laws, incorporated, and found a place to play (the fields at Goeslin Park behind the Bourbonnais Municipal Center). They joined the SAY Soccer Association that provided liability insurance, playing rules and training for coaches and referees.

Dynamo Soccer started with 210 children between the ages of 6 and 16 years of age that first year. They were only expecting about 100-125 children. The program grew each year. Children from Manteno and Limestone were part of the original group. In 1986 Limestone broke off and formed County West Soccer and in 1987 Manteno did the same forming the Manteno Youth Soccer Association. With growth occurring every year the Dynamo Soccer League soon outgrew Goeslin Park. In 1988 the Bradley Bourbonnais High School Board of Education granted a lease on the present space. In the summer of 1988 work on the complex began with the hiring of Cal Hammond from Grant Part to move dirt to make playable fields. He was under the direction of Meece Engineering. Landscaper Ron Payne provided his expertise to prepare the new grass surface for play.

In 1990 the Dynamo Soccer Complex was opened for its first game. The entire complex now supports Dynamo Soccer, the Bradley Bourbonnais Youth Softball League and the BBCHS soccer and softball teams. Over the years, thousands of children from many communities have been able to enjoy playing the game of soccer just because Alex Furgal wanted to share the love of the game with his son.

Information provided by Bob Lause.

Presidents of Dynamo Soccer Association

  • 2011 to Present - John Hall
  • 2009 to 2010 - Jeff Gindy
  • 2002 – 2008 Present - Ed Smith
  • 1997 – 2001 – Tim Farrell
  • 1996 - Blair Minton
  • 1995- Jim LaRocque
  • 1994 - Jeff Smith
  • 1986 – 1993 - Bob Lause
  • 1984 – 1985 - Vic Wieliczko

Other History

  • 1989 - raffle is for funding the new Dynamo Complex on Bethel Road
  • 1989 - 670 players on 50 teams
  • 1989 - The new Bethel Road Soccer Complex construction budget was set at $71,000
  • 1990 - Age groups went from 5-13. New age group added this year 14-17
  • 1990 – Registration fee was $20
  • 1990 - Bourbonnais Township provided $5,800 for the fence along the main parking lot
  • 1990 - The Lutheran Church on Career Center Road and 102 sponsored a golf outing to benefit Dynamo Soccer
  • 1990 – August 18th dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the Dynamo Soccer Complex on Bethel Road. Games up to now were played at Goeslin Park behind the Municipal Center
  • 1990 – 700 players on 52 teams ranging from ages 5-17
  • 1991 – There were only two teams in the 14-17 age group division
  • 1989 to 1996 - Bake sales, Soccerfests, split the pot, pumpkin sales, craft sales, watermelon sales, Christmas wreaths and trees, and sock hops were a common fundraisers.
  • 1994 - Fundraiser begins in for the building. $5.00 discount cards were sold
  • 1995 - Fees were $35 with a new $10 fee refunded for every two hours of volunteer work
  • 1995 and 1996 - Parking lot additions were made