History

USSSA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop and expand the game of soccer in the United States.

In 1997 at the National Meeting in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) became the first multi-sports governing body to oversee slow and fast pitch softball, baseball, basketball and golf. In July of 2001 USSSA added soccer to their multi-sport organization by becoming a member of US Soccer.

Change is the name of the game. From National Headquarters to the Board of Directors and through out the entire organization, no longer does longevity or seniority play a role. The association is revamped on hard work and determination. Each member of the association now has an opportunity to obtain new titles and positions.

In 2003, USSSA relocates to Central Florida. Florida Governor Jeb Bush phones USSSA Executive Director, Don DeDonatis thanking him and welcoming the USSSA to Osceola County, Florida and declaring the move as “another job and economic victory for the State and Osceola County”.

In June 2005, USSSA moves into their permanent 18,000 sq. ft. facility, located in Osceola County’s Heritage Park. This facility provides 6,500 sq. ft. of office area on the second floor, while allotting approximately 5,000 sq. ft on the first floor for the state of the art USSSA National Hall of Fame and Sports Museum. The remaining 6,500 sq. ft. provides terrace box seating over looking the first base line of Osceola County Stadium, Spring Training Home of the Houston Astros. Also included, is a new visitors clubhouse adjacent to the USSSA Hall of Fame and Sports Museum. The museum houses over 37 years of memorabilia and artifacts relating to USSSA’s proud history and the game of softball and other sports, now a vital part of the associations core program.

During the spring of 2006, USSSA named a new soccer committee to head up the National program. Within the first 18 months there was a substantial growth in youth and adult registration. In April 2007, USSSA held the first State Championship in Kansas City, Missouri. By the following year ten other states had secured dates for their championships which will create the first National Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada in December 2008.

In April 2008 the first USSSA Soccer State Directors were appointed in the following states: Nevada, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Delaware and Pennsylvania. The Directors were selected to continue the growth of soccer in these areas as well the growth of USSSA.

That growth continued in both the youth and adult soccer programming and has since led to some of the following achievements; U.S. Open Cup Allocations (adult), helping MLS and USL clubs develop their youth programs through USSSA registration, working in minority communities and fostering the creation of leagues and programs.

2018 was a significant year for the entire USSSA organization as another relocation of head office was completed. Melbourne, FL is now called home and Space Coast Stadium houses USSSA. In addition to Space Coast Stadium, USSSA played a major part in the redevelopment of Viera Regional Park which is located one mile away.

Completed in the fall of 2018, Viera Regional Park now offers USSSA a soccer specific playing and training facility with seven turf fields. Since the completion, USSSA has held U.S. Soccer Licensing Courses, Adult National Championships and W.I.N. National Training Camps at the facility.

In the coming years, USSSA is working to continue providing our members with the tools and support for growth. 2019 saw the release of an improved registration system, full roll out of the USSSA W.I.N. Program, and creating more playing opportunities for our adult members.

The remainder of the 2019/20 season was disrupted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. During the suspension of play, our staff and organization worked diligently to secure a safe and support return to play strategy for our membership.