“It’s an honour and a privilege for me to be named Builder of the club,” said M. Nick Filippone. “The championship in 2004 and the raise of popularity over the last years are my most important souvenirs with the organization. I am proud to have contributed to the Impact success, today a major force on the sport scene in Quebec. I thank the organization and especially the president Joey Saputo for having give me the chance to live those great years.”
“He brought the same discipline and thoroughness to the team’s administration and finances as he did to the field when he played 40 years ago,” said Impact and Saputo Stadium president Joey Saputo. “He layed the foundations for generations of players after him.”
Nick Filippone joins a select group of builders consisting of former players Loyd Barker, Patrick Diotte, Rudy Doliscat and John Limniatis, honored in 2006, and Grant Needham, named in 2007. However, Nick Filippone is the first administrater to receive the honour.
Nick Filippone joined the Impact in 1999 as the club’s Director of Operations and participated in the rebirth of the club in 2002, when he became responsible of the club’s finances. He was one of the founding members of the Lac St. Louis Lakers, which became the best club in the history of the Club’s National Championships. He was also Quebec Soccer Federation President from 1991 to 1994, before being elected to the Executive Board of the Canadian Soccer Association from 1994 to 1999.
As a player in the 60’s and 70’s, he played for Kalena and Montreal Cantalia, two of the first professional soccer clubs in Montreal. He was inducted to the Quebec Elite Soccer League’s Hall of Fame, on October 29, 2006.
M. Filippone notably received a painting from artist Carlo Cosentino.
PHOTOS PÉPÉ
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext. 227)
