Chapter 1: The Beginning
Dear Menace Fans:
I could not be more excited for the season to start. As you might know the season is rapidly approaching and the day dreams of Des Moines summer nights will soon become a reality. For the new fans out there my name is Joe Klosterman. I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, where my family still currently resides. In route to Iowa, I made a quick pit-stop in Birmingham, Alabama for college, where I completed my degree in three and half years. Des Moines is my new home but it is far from a new experience. I am very fortunate to have played with the Menace for the past two seasons and have shared so many good memories with the Des Moines community.
It seems like just yesterday that I walked on to the practice ground for the first time in Menace red – a feeling that still gives me goose bumps. The loyal fans and the overwhelming show of support leaves me lying restless in bed. I could not be more excited to be apart of this team and community for yet another season. I will be writing blog entries to share my inner most feelings during the 2008 Menace soccer season. I am here to share my life for all of you to read. Well, maybe not all of it!
I will have a unique approach to writing since I am apart of several different layers of the organization: Account Executive, Youth Coach and Player!! I will share it all!! As many of you know I love to talk, shocker, I know, but I also love to write. I am going to try and write several times a week as well as share photos and stories of my Menace experience. Feel free to write something of your own that adds to the excitement and passion that I have for this team and this city. I want my blog to be a place for you to visit and feel like part of both the Menace and the Des Moines community. I want to do everything I can to make this the best team and organization out there while giving back to a community who has already given me so much.
So stay tuned to my journey!!
Joe Klosterman
March 13, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Great effort! The red on black is hard to read.
GO MENACE!
March 13, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Joe-
Strong work, it will be interesting to see the “other side” of the experience. Hope you plan to bog after read games, so we have a perspective on the happenings there as well.
Don’t forget about the “other than Des Moines” community. I would call it more of an Iowa Soccer Community!
I remember our first meeting, on a remote soccer field in a tiny town North-East of DSM. I want to let you know that the small effort you guys put out on that training field in one afternoon motivated atleast a couple of those kids to move on to bigger, better things (Select soccer experiences). And they are ALL excelling….thank you for the time and attention with these kids. The kids look up to you guys, and appreciate all you do.
March 15, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Joe, great effort, we are proud of you
March 18, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Hey, Joe,
Congratulations!! I am very proud of you and wish you the best of luck in Des Moines - at least you are now closer to Kansas City!! I hope to get to Des Moines this summer to see you play.
Aunt Jean
May 19, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Nice job! I had no idea you were a fantastic writer as well as a fantastic soccer player! The only thing your team is missing this year is the dance team