When the Carolina Railhawks kick off their inaugural game on April 21, there will be plenty of former N.C. State athletes on the field and on the sidelines.
The Railhawks are the latest expansion team in the United Soccer League’s first division and begin their franchise officially against the Minnesota Thunder in less than three weeks.
The team decided on the name Railhawks because of the history of the railroad industry in the Triangle area and the native red-tailed hawks that are seen flying over SAS Soccer Park, according to Chris Economides, president and general manager of the team.
“It will be a good logo and a good marketing tool,” Economides said.
The USL is considered to be the second division of U.S. men’s soccer behind the MLS, but Economides said this is just a perception.
“I would use the old AFL, NFL axiom as it pertains to how our league compares to other leagues,” Economides said.
“Our teams participate and play against MLS teams. They made a cup competition called the US Open Cup, and our teams beat MLS teams on a fairly consistent basis. So I would rate the caliber of play very close between the two leagues.”
Economides has not neglected local talent in setting up the Railhawks. Scott Schweitzer, a former State soccer player, is the Railhawks head coach, and Damon Nahas, another former player, is serving as an assistant.
Schweitzer played at State from 1989 to 1992 under coach George Tarantini. At State, he was a two time All-American sweeper, and he was named ACC player of the year in 1992.
After a long pro career, Economides gave Schweitzer the task of building the Railhawks from scratch. Schweitzer said it has been difficult, but the relationships he built as a player have helped him.
“It was difficult because of the amount of work that needed to be put in. For me, starting from scratch, I had to go out and find every single player,” Schweitzer said.
“The players I got, a lot have played with me a lot, or against me. So I went with players that I knew their character. I based it on ability and character equally.”
The Railhawks also just signed Santiago Fusilier, a midfielder who played his final season at State last fall and will finish school in December.
Fusilier, who has only been with the team since March 19, said the common background of playing for Tarantini that he and Schweitzer share has helped him make the transition to the professional level.
“It’s really good. I like him and I respect him so much because he was one of the best players in N.C. State history,” Fusilier said.
“He understands where I’m coming from with coach Tarantini. He’s been through the same coaching, so I think that’s good and beneficial because he knows how I play and how I think coming from N.C. State.”
With Fusilier, the Railhawks acquire one of the Wolfpack’s marquee players. Fusilier was a captain and started 16 games at defensive midfield for State in his senior season. Schweitzer said Fusilier will be an asset to his team this year and in the future.
“This year, he’ll make an impact, but it will still be very much a learning process for him,” Schweitzer said.
“He’s got a lot of desire. He’s young and he’s immature in his knowledge of the game, but he has a passion and a will to win, and he’s got an unbelievable gift as an attacking player.”
Given the close ties the Railhawks have to State, Economides said students should be compelled to come watch the team this summer.
“We got an N.C. State player an N.C. State coach, and we’re literally seven minutes away from campus,” Economides said. “We’re playing in an absolutely wonderful facility here at SAS. We’d love to have some of the N.C. State student body come out and help support us.”
