In The Community

Friendly the Goalrilla on limited-edition library cards through partnership between Fort Wayne Football Club and ACPL

August 29, 2026 by Justin Cohn | Director of Communications

Fort Wayne Football Club is partnering with the Allen County Public Library to celebrate National Library Card Sign-Up Month and encourage everyone to discover what the library has to offer. During the month of September only, there will be a special limited-edition library card featuring Fort Wayne FC’s mascot, Friendly the Goalrilla.

An ACPL library card provides access to a collection of more than 2.7 million books, movies, video games, board games and more, as well as study rooms, job search assistance, digital streaming services, professional training platforms and programs for all ages.

You can sign up for a library card at any ACPL branch, by visiting the ACPL website, or by stopping at its booth at Fort Wayne FC’s match at Ruoff Mortgage Stadium on Saturday against the New York Cosmos. That match will be followed by fireworks!

Through Fort Wayne FC’s partnership with the ACPL, discounted tickets are available at acpl.info/fwfc.

“Library Card Sign-Up Month is all about showing people that a library card can connect them to books, but also the community,” said Chris Ford, Marketing Manager for ACPL. “Partnering with Fort Wayne Football Club gives us another fun way to tell more folks, and with Friendly the Goalrilla on our card, we think this year’s library card is a real game-changer.”

National Library Card Sign Up Month is an annual, national event to remind people of the power of libraries everywhere.

ACPL library cards are free to all Allen County residents and individuals who attend or work at a school in Allen County. Residents outside of Allen County can also access ACPL services through a subscription card for a modest annual fee.

About Fort Wayne Football Club

Fort Wayne Football Club, founded in 2019, is a professional soccer club playing its first season in USL League One in 2026. The club plays home matches at Ruoff Mortgage Stadium, which opened May 2, 2026, and is a soccer-specific venue. In pre-professional USL League Two, Fort Wayne Football Club won division titles in 2023, 2024 and 2025. For more information, visit FortWayneFC.com.

About the Allen County Public Library

The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) has fostered lifelong learning and discovery in northeast Indiana for more than 135 years. The ACPL consists of fourteen branches throughout Allen County, serving more than one million visitors per year. The ACPL’s collection includes more than 3.9 million items, with a circulation total of 4.6 million items borrowed annually. It also houses The Genealogy Center, the nation’s largest public genealogy research center, and The Rolland Center for Lincoln Research, consisting of more than 30,000 artifacts related to President Abraham Lincoln.

John Bellio Tribute Night raises over $23,000 for Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana

August 5, 2026 by Justin Cohn | Director of Communications

A total of $23,218 was raised to combat cancer through the inaugural John Bellio Tribute Night at Ruoff Mortgage Stadium.

The monies raised benefit Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana.

Bellio, one of the original owners of Fort Wayne Football Club, died in 2025 from cancer and didn’t get to see the club’s ascension to professional soccer or the opening of Ruoff Mortgage Stadium at 6411 Bass Road.

John Bellio Tribute Night was July 18 and Fort Wayne FC defeated Greenville Triumph SC 3-0 on an emotional night.

The match was preceded by a ceremony in which a plaque honoring Bellio was unveiled with his wife, Terri, and other family and friends on hand. The plaque will be a permanent fixture at Ruoff Mortgage Stadium, and the club plans to make John Bellio Tribute Night an annual event.

Ruoff Mortgage pledged to donate $5,000 for every goal scored by Fort Wayne FC against Greenville and that amounted to $15,000, thanks to goals by Ryan Becher, Lilian Ricol and Kabiru Gafar.

Fort Wayne FC also donated $1 for every ticket sold, which amounted to $3,299, an amount matched by the Bellio family.

Additionally, $1,620 was raised through donations directly to an online link set up by Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana and Fort Wayne FC.

Fort Wayne FC plays 11 p.m. Saturday in Lancaster, California, against AV Alta FC. The Autumn Gold & Black are back at Ruoff Mortgage Stadium on Aug. 15, when they play host to Chattanooga Red Wolves SC.

About Fort Wayne Football Club

About United Soccer League

Founded in 1986, the United Soccer League (USL) is the largest and fastest-growing soccer organization in the United States, impacting more than 200 communities nationwide. The USL is the first and only organization to offer a comprehensive youth-to-professional pathway for both men and women under one ecosystem. This structure includes four men’s leagues: the newly announced, top-tier professional Division I league, the USL Championship (Division II), USL League One (Division III), and USL League Two (pre-professional). The women’s pathway includes the top-tier USL Super League (Division I), which debuted in 2024, and USL W League, the country’s leading pre-professional women’s league. The USL also oversees USL Academy, a progressive talent development platform, and USL Youth, a premier national youth platform.

Fort Wayne FC’s Mark Music, DaMarcus Beasley receive prestigious Red Coats from Mad Anthonys

August 5, 2026 by Justin Cohn | Director of Communications

Fort Wayne Football Club’s Mark Music and DaMarcus Beasley were bestowed with one of the city’s highest honors on Sunday when they received Red Coats from the Mad Anthonys Foundation.

The ceremony took place at the annual Mad Anthonys gala at the Clyde Theater.

Music is Fort Wayne FC’s principal owner. Beasley is the co-owner and director of football operations for Fort Wayne FC, which is in its first season of professional soccer in USL League One.

They join the club’s chief operating officer, Scott Sproat, who received the prestigious Red Coat honor in 2017 when he worked for the Fort Wayne Komets hockey team.

The Mad Anthonys were founded in 1957 and are comprised of business leaders and professionals from Northeast Indiana. The Mad Anthonys Pro-Am golf events, along with the Red Coat Gala, have raised millions of dollars for charitable organizations in Fort Wayne.

Music is approaching his 20^th year as the CEO of Fort Wayne-based Ruoff Mortgage. He funded the construction of Ruoff Mortgage Stadium, the state-of-the-art, soccer-specific venue that opened this year at 6411 Bass Road.

Music has supported a wide range of organizations, community needs, engagement initiatives and financial literacy programs throughout Northeast Indiana and the state. Organizations he has supported include Believe in a Dream, HealthVisions Midwest, Fort Wayne Urban League, Bridges of Grace Ministries, Honor Flight, Habitat for Humanity, Gleaners Food Bank, Erin’s House for Grieving Children, Boys & Girls Club and the Voices of Unity Youth Choir.

Beasley, a native of Fort Wayne, is a U.S. Soccer legend and member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. His 20-year professional career as a player included time in MLS, the English Premier League and the German Bundesliga, as well as first-division professional leagues in the Netherlands and Mexico. He’s the only U.S. male player to appear in four World Cups, making 126 appearances for the U.S. men’s soccer team over his 16-year international career.

Red Coats historically are given to athletes, entertainers, politicians and philanthropists.

About Fort Wayne Football Club

About the Mad Anthonys Foundation

Since 1958, the Mad Anthonys Foundation has raised millions of dollars in support of children’s causes and other local nonprofits through its signature events, including the Red Coat Gala and Pro-Am Golf Tournament. The foundation remains committed to creating a meaningful, long-term impact in northeast Indiana.

Fort Wayne Football Club’s 3rd Annual Open Futsal Day at Packard Park attracts 250 kids

July 22, 2026 by Justin Cohn | Director of Communications

Fort Wayne Football Club and Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation held their third annual Open Futsal Day at Packard Park’s Beasley Courts on Wednesday. Approximately 250 kids participated in the free event, which included the opportunity to learn and play futsal, get free food and gifts, and enjoy music and other games.

Twelve members of the Fort Wayne FC staff, including head coach Mike Avery, were in attendance and assisted by area soccer coaches Todd Gilpin, Sean Black and Peter Daining, making this very much a community event.

This event couldn’t have happened without the support of Parkview Sports Medicine and Ortho NorthEast, who donated gifts for the kids; Capelli Sport, which donated pinnies and balls; and American Kolache and Beer Barrel Pizza, who provided lunch.

About Fort Wayne Football Club

About United Soccer League

We’re in awe: Fort Wayne Football Club enjoys nation’s best power soccer athletes at Turnstone Center

June 27, 2026 by Justin Cohn | Director of Communications

Fort Wayne Football Club has had a great time this week at the US Power Soccer Association’s Nationals at Turnstone’s Plassman Athletic Center. It’s so inspiring to see these incredible athletes and their families. Each one of them has a unique story and has to put in the work to make these events a reality.

And seeing soccer in so many forms warms our hearts.

Turnstone’s Flyers and Furious Flyers were among the teams we’ve watched compete.

Power soccer is an adaptive sport played by athletes using power wheelchairs. Two teams of four players compete on a gym floor using a large soccer ball, maneuvering specialized chairs equipped with protective guards to pass, defend and shoot. The sport emphasizes positioning, teamwork and precision, and has become one of the most widely played wheelchair team sports in the world.

Turnstone has been a leader in adaptive sports programming in Fort Wayne for years and has offered power soccer programs since 2006, helping athletes with disabilities compete at high levels while building confidence, friendships and community.

Tournament photos

Video action and interview

About Fort Wayne Football Club

About United Soccer League

Laser tag to soccer clinics: Fort Wayne Football Club has gratifying week engaging community

June 25, 2026 by Matt Burkle | Communications

Fort Wayne Football Club continues to honor its commitment to Northeast Indiana by hosting and attending events that help grow the game of soccer and have a positive impact on young people. So far this week, players and club staff had the honor of participating in four separate events, during which kids were able to learn more about the beautiful game of soccer, our organization, and make lasting memories.

Kids Club Event at Lazer X

Fort Wayne FC held its first ever Kids Club event at Lazer X on Tuesday night. Kids were invited to join team captain Tiago Dias, midfielder Emerson Nieto, and Director of Corporate Partnerships Garrett Martz for a night of food and fun which included arcade games, laser tag, and pizza. The kids were able to have a unique experience – playing laser tag with professional athletes. Dias and Nieto played with the kids in two blocks – making sure every kid was able to play – and signed autographs and discussed soccer in between rounds. There was an amazing turnout of over 80 kids who are passionate about the Autumn Gold & Black. More than 700 kids are enrolled in the Kids Club.

Jackson Lehman YMCA

Midfielder Jack Thomas was accompanied by Martz and Team Administrator Rene Sanchez on Monday to a Jackson Lehman YMCA event. Thomas ran the kids through drills and then gave them the chance to score a goal on a professional soccer player. The kids were ecstatic. After the practice concluded, there was a discussion about pro soccer, and Thomas’s career, followed by an autograph session.

Blackhawk Christian High School Soccer Camp

Defender Reid Sproat and Nieto, natives of Northeast Indiana, attended the annual Blackhawk Christian High School soccer camp Tuesday. Sproat and Nieto began by speaking to the kids about their journeys to professional soccer. They then held a brief coaching session and participated in a light-hearted scrimmage. Sproat and Nieto also signed autographs, giving the kids some Fort Wayne FC posters to remember the event by. Blackhawk Christian’s boys soccer team is coached by Sam Meyer, who played briefly for Fort Wayne FC in the pre-professional level of USL League Two. Blackhawk Christian won the IHSAA Class A state championship last year with an undefeated season.

Parkview YMCA

Sproat and Bernd Schipmann, along with Communications Assistant Matt Burkle and Sanchez, attended two Parkview YMCA practices later Tuesday. Sproat and Schipmann talked with the kids about how they fell in love with soccer, and discussed what it takes to become a professional player. Sproat then took the kids through a warmup routine, ensuring each knew the importance of stretching. Sproat and Schipmann followed the warmups with passing drills. The kids then received the opportunity of a lifetime, the chance to score on one of USL League One’s best goalkeepers, Schipmann. One kid scored in the final minutes, forcing Schipmann to do 20 pushups. To close out the night, Sproat and Schipmann signed autographs.

About Fort Wayne Football Club

About United Soccer League

Javier Armas, Fort Wayne Football Club meet with girl scouts and help to grow the beautiful game

June 19, 2026 by Matt Burkle | Communications

Fort Wayne Football Club player Javier Armas and members of the club’s front office had the honor of attending a Camp McMillen event, put on by the Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana, on June 12.

Fort Wayne Football Club is passionate about engaging with members of the Northeast Indiana community, particularly youngsters, and this was an opportunity to grow the beautiful game of soccer and demonstrate that we’re positive role models.

The event started with a question-and-answer session, during which Armas spoke about soccer and his journey to becoming a professional athlete. There was also a fun debate about who’s better: Messi or Ronaldo? Armas ran the kids through some passing and shooting drills, drawing many smiles from the girls who were excited to learn from one of USL League One’s top players.

The Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana recently passed a huge milestone: 100 years in the region.

Candace Studebaker, the Girls Experience Manager for this Girls Scout chapter, was ecstatic the girls were able to meet a professional player.

“It was fantastic getting to share this experience with the club,” Studebaker said, adding that it helps boost the girl’s confidence to have one-on-one time with Armas.

The Fort Wayne FC visit perfectly aligned with the theme of the camp that week: “Around the World.” The goal was to have the girls learn about different countries and cultures.

“With the World Cup being this year, it is important for the girls to learn how different countries can come together,” Studebaker said.

Armas was accompanied by Fort Wayne FC Director of Corporate Partnerships Garrett Martz, Group Tickets & Experiences Representative Ashli McCombs, Team Administrator & Player Care Officer Rene Sanchez, and Communications Assistant Matt Burkle.

Armas said he is passionate about the Fort Wayne community and attending events such as these.

“It means everything to be here,” Armas said. “That’s who we play for.”

The Fort Wayne midfielder hopes the girls remember that there is always time for fun, no matter what you do for your career.

“It’s not always about being professional. It’s more important to have fun and to respect and love one another,” Armas said.

To end the event, Armas signed posters and took pictures with the girl scouts. One could easily see the excitement brewing in the kids’ faces, ready to meet a role model.

Armas was asked what his favorite Girl Scout cookie is and said: “Anything with chocolate on it.”

About Fort Wayne Football Club

About United Soccer League

Fun in the sun: Fort Wayne Football Club players give kids lasting memories at Huntington YMCA soccer practice

May 28, 2026 by Matt Burkle | Communications

Fort Wayne Football Club players Jayden Smith, JP Jordan, Ryan Becher and Michael Rempel visited Yeoman Park in Huntington on Wednesday to work with kids at a Huntington YMCA soccer practice.

Attending events such as this are part of Fort Wayne FC’s commitment to growing soccer in Northeast Indiana and impacting youths in a positive way.

Smith and Jordan worked with the older kids, grades six through eight, primarily on spacing, keys to successfully sharing the ball, and limiting the amount of ball chasing that happens on the pitch.

Becher and Rempel worked with grades three through five with a focus on fundamentals, including passing and shooting drills, and the Fort Wayne FC players participated in a scrimmage with the kids.

“It’s good seeing the young kids and all the play,” said Smith, a Fort Wayne FC defender, passionate about helping popularize soccer in the area.

About 50 kids were on hand for the event.

“It was good to see quite a big turnout for an event like this,” Smith said.

He was flanked by kids laughing, dancing and making lasting memories. Perhaps some will grow up to become professional soccer players, too.

“I hope they had fun, getting to see a couple of pro footballers. And if any of them wanted to become pro footballers that would be nice,” Smith said, adding that players who want to compete at high levels need to make sure they keep having fun while playing the sport. “Keep enjoying it. As long as you keep enjoying it, you’ll make it (far).”

The Fort Wayne FC players spent time autographing posters after the practice. One kid exclaimed with a big smile: “I will keep this poster forever. It’s never coming off my wall.”

Event photos

About Fort Wayne Football Club

About United Soccer League

For 2nd straight year, Fort Wayne Football Club a hit at Cookin’ Fort Wayne

May 15, 2026 by Justin Cohn | Director of Communications

Fort Wayne Football Club had a blast participating in Cookin’ Fort Wayne for a second straight year. Head coach Mike Avery, his wife Carin, merchandise manager Christy Pinkley, and chef Terel Lynn were on hand for the event Thursday at the Electric Works.

As is often the case, Lynn’s scrumptious fare was a hit with the many guests sampling food at the annual culinary fundraising event. Lynn is the owner of Smile More Kitchen & Catering and Fort Wayne Football Club’s chef.

Cookin’ Fort Wayne is run by the Do It Best Foundation and benefits the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Indiana.