Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Kris Brown currently serves as the Director of Promotions and Entertainment for Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, where responsibilities encompass analytics, ticketing, and marketing strategies. Previous roles include the Promotions and Entertainment Manager at Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, overseeing game day entertainment and community events, as well as contributions to the District 96 Marketing Team for DC United Soccer Club. Additional experience includes positions as a Marketing Representative at Power Home Remodeling, Management Assistant and Management Trainee at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and Corporate Trainer at Team Kinetics Inc. Kris Brown's educational background includes a Grad Certification in Sports Analytics from Northwestern University and a Bachelor's degree in Sports Management from Geneva College, where significant involvement in social media marketing and student ambassador activities was undertaken.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC was founded on March 11, 1998, by Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania native Paul Heasley. The team’s emergence ended the sport’s 12-year hiatus in the city at the professional level after the Pittsburgh Spirit of the Major Indoor Soccer League folded in 1986. Heasley’s inspiration for the team formed when his son, Lucas, began seriously playing soccer in the late 1990s. As there were no local role models for Lucas to look up to, Heasley’s aim was to create a club embodying the character of Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania that could fuel the ambitions of youngsters in the region and give them a pathway to become professional soccer players. This vision was realized during the 1999 USL draft when Peters Township native Justin Evans was selected as the Riverhounds’ first player. The team compiled a 16-12 record in its inaugural regular season, playing its home matches at Bethel Park High School. In 2004, Heasley sold the Riverhounds. The team subsequently underwent a number of venue and ownership changes before landing at Highmark Stadium for the 2013 season. Current owner Tuffy Shallenberger took control of the Riverhounds and Highmark Stadium in 2013. The Riverhounds also operate a thriving youth academy with locations in Pittsburgh and Connellsville.