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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 Lauses 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 Other Information:
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