Vince Ursini

Ursini graduated from Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario in 1983 with a bachelor's in business administration.{{Cite web|date=March 14, 2011|title=Vincent Ursini Returns to CSL--League annual meeting confirms appointment|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports11/11csl012.htm|access-date=2020-02-16|website=www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com|publisher=CSL press release}}{{Cite web|url=https://ca.alumnius.net/ivey_business_school_at_western_university-9939-32#id195614158|title=Alumni of Canada {{!}} Ivey Business School at Western University|website=ca.alumnius.net|access-date=2020-02-16}} He found employment in financial services as an accountant and consultant. He originally played soccer before transitioning to an administrative capacity in the North York and York Region soccer districts.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports05/05cpsl01.htm|title=CPSL's URSINI STEPS DOWN - Resigns to devote his time to Ontario, perhaps CSA|date=February 28, 2005|website=www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com|publisher=CPSL press release|access-date=2020-02-16}} He played at the college level with the Western Mustangs, where he received the Duncan A. McLarty Award in 1982.{{Cite web|url=http://publish.uwo.ca/~rbasacco/mvps.html|title=UWO Men's Soccer Hall of Fame|website=publish.uwo.ca|access-date=2020-02-16}} He became involved with the Ontario Soccer Association (OSA) as the association's treasurer and served on the executive committee. During his tenure with the OSA, he contributed to the planning and construction of the Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan, Ontario. When the Canadian Professional Soccer League was sanctioned by the OSA in 1998 he served in the capacity of a league director, and later as the league's treasurer.

In 2000, he was appointed the president/chairman of the CPSL.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cpsl.org/releases/2000/2000nov8.htm|title=2000 - Nov. 8 - Chairman's Report 2000|date=2001-05-30|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010530093743/http://www.cpsl.org/releases/2000/2000nov8.htm|archive-date=May 30, 2001|access-date=2020-02-16}} Throughout his incumbency, he was able to acquire a television deal with Rogers TV, which enabled the launch of the CPSL Soccer Show which garnered the highest ratings of any other Sunday program shown on the channel.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports04/04cpsl81.htm|title=August 23, 2004 CPSL Vince Ursini interview (from NUKE soccer)|website=rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com|access-date=December 13, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://cpsl.org/releases/2001/2001aug3b.htm|title=2001 - Aug 3 - CPSL Launches TV Soccer Show|date=February 28, 2002|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020228010728/http://cpsl.org/releases/2001/2001aug3b.htm|archive-date=February 28, 2002|access-date=December 13, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.cpsl.ca/news.asp?news=8|title=CPSL - Canadian Professional Soccer League|date=January 23, 2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030123084421/http://www.cpsl.ca/news.asp?news=8|archive-date=January 23, 2003|access-date=December 13, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.cpsl.ca:80/mediareleases.asp?media=13|title=CPSL - Canadian Professional Soccer League|date=August 22, 2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030822133235/http://www.cpsl.ca/mediareleases.asp?media=13|archive-date=August 22, 2003|access-date=December 20, 2017}} Sponsorship agreements were made with Primus Canada, and the Government of Canada.{{Cite web|url=http://cpsl.org/releases/2001/2001sept17.htm|title=2001 - Sept 17 - CPSL Benefits from Government Sponsorship|date=February 24, 2002|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020224202358/http://cpsl.org/releases/2001/2001sept17.htm|archive-date=February 24, 2002|access-date=December 13, 2017}} In 2001, the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) initiated a task force named the Canadian United Soccer League (CUSL), which formed a working partnership with the CPSL and the Canadian franchises in the USL A-League to forge a unified professional structure in the hopes of forming a Canadian first and second division domestic league.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cpsl.org/releases/2001/2001nov1.htm|title=2001 - Nov. 1 - CPSL, CUSL to Join Forces|date=December 18, 2001|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011218105709/http://www.cpsl.org/releases/2001/2001nov1.htm|archive-date=December 18, 2001|access-date=December 13, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.cpsl.ca/news.asp?news=13|title=CPSL - Canadian Professional Soccer League|date=April 23, 2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030423083152/http://www.cpsl.ca/news.asp?news=13|archive-date=April 23, 2003|access-date=December 13, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://canadiansoccerleague.ca/a-much-needed-stronger-professional-soccer-structure-not-on-the-horizen/|title=A MUCH NEEDED STRONGER PROFESSIONAL SOCCER STRUCTURE NOT ON THE HORIZON {{!}} Canadian Soccer League|date=May 27, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170527165746/http://canadiansoccerleague.ca/a-much-needed-stronger-professional-soccer-structure-not-on-the-horizen/|archive-date=May 27, 2017|access-date=December 16, 2017}} A player agreement was conducted with the Toronto Lynx of the USL A-League, which provided the Lynx access to any CPSL talent upon request.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports02/02lynx10.htm|title=Hartrells defy odds to keep Lynx alive|last=Da Costa|first=Norman|date=April 19, 2002|work=Toronto Star|access-date=December 13, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.cpsl.org/releases/2002/2002feb26.htm|title=2002 - Feb. 26 - CPSL signs Player Agreement with Toronto Lynx|date=August 5, 2002|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020805174325/http://www.cpsl.org/releases/2002/2002feb26.htm|archive-date=August 5, 2002|access-date=December 13, 2017}} Another notable achievement was the opening of their domestic cup the Open Canada Cup in 2003 to all Canadian professional and amateur clubs to provide a potential candidate for the CONCACAF Champions' Cup.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cpsl.ca/news.asp?news=45|title=CPSL - Canadian Professional Soccer League|date=October 28, 2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031028160316/http://www.cpsl.ca/news.asp?news=45|archive-date=October 28, 2003|access-date=December 13, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports03/03cpsl02.htm|title=CPSL Reloaded|last=Terra|first=Lino|date=May 15, 2003|website=rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com|publisher=Ontario Soccer Web|access-date=December 13, 2017}}

In 2005 at the CPSL Annual General Meeting, he announced his resignation to fully delegate his time to his OSA obligations, and to seek election to the CSA board of directors.{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=April 13, 2005|title=CPSL gets new commissioner|page=C3|work=St. Catharines Standard|url=|access-date=}} In May 2005, he was elected to the CSA executive committee as director of finance.{{Cite web|url=https://www.canadasoccer.com/montagliani-ursini-and-traficante-elected-to-csa-executive-p147271|title=Montagliani, Ursini and Traficante Elected to CSA Executive|date=May 15, 2005|website=www.canadasoccer.com|access-date=2020-02-16}}{{Cite news|last=Mallett|first=Peter|date=September 12, 2007|title=SOCCER: Changes needed, CSA officials say|page=S3|work=The Globe and Mail}}{{Cite news|last=Meagher|first=John|date=May 26, 2005|title=Ile Bizard teen helps Canada secure victory over Haiti|page=F11|work=Montreal Gazette|url=|access-date=}} He served as the head of delegation for the Canada men's national soccer team during the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF).{{Cite web|url=https://canadasoccer.com/index.php/?pid=3218&t=profile&|title=Canada Soccer|website=canadasoccer.com|access-date=2020-02-16}} He was a member of the local organizing committee for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup. In 2009, he was awarded the Aubrey Sanford Meritorious Award and shortly after resigned from the committee.{{Cite web|url=https://canadasoccer.com/association-celebrates-award-winners-p144776|title=Association celebrates award winners {{!}} Canadian Soccer|date=May 2, 2009|website=canadasoccer.com|access-date=2020-02-16}}{{Cite web|url=https://canadasoccer.com/association-elects-new-officers-p146386|title=Association elects new officers|date=May 2, 2009|website=canadasoccer.com|access-date=2020-02-16}} When he returned as chairman of the board to the CSL in 2011 he was granted a seat on the CSA Professional Soccer Committee as it was sanctioned by the CSA.

In 2011, he returned to his previous occupation as the chairman of the Canadian Soccer League (CSL) renamed from the CPSL in 2006.{{Cite web|date=March 15, 2011|title=CSL leadership|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/506334612/?terms=Vincent+Ursini+soccer|access-date=2020-06-14|website=Newspapers.com|publisher=The Windsor Star|page=21|language=en}} The league's membership under Ursini's second administration expanded to a record amount of 28 teams in 2012 with 16 in the First division and 12 in the Second division.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports12/12csl012.htm|title=Record 16 Teams CSL's Six-Month Long First Division Campaign|date=April 3, 2012|website=rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com|publisher=CSL press release|access-date=December 15, 2017}} Their media coverage was broadened with a television agreement with CogecoTV, and the reintroduction of their weekly television program was picked up by Rogers TV.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports12/12csl011.htm|title=CSL's Annual Conference Upbeat|date=March 19, 2012|website=rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com|publisher=CSL press release|access-date=December 15, 2017}} In 2013, the CSA unexpectedly de-sanctioned the CSL without due process.{{Cite web|url=https://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/2013/03/14/soccer-league-at-odds-with-governing-body/wcm/15e38392-011b-683c-20ee-b31e0500de2b|title=Soccer league at odds with governing body|last1=March 14|first1=Darryl G. Smart Published on|last2=March 14|first2=2013 {{!}} Last Updated|date=2013-03-14|website=Brantford Expositor|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-16|last3=Edt|first3=2013 3:15 Pm}} The decision was made to implement the James Easton Report (Rethink Management Group Report) for the adoption of a new professional soccer structure.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports13/13csl004.htm|title=CSL To Take Whatever Action is Necessary to Overturn CSL Decision to De-Sanction|date=February 22, 2013|website=rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com|publisher=CSL press release|access-date=December 15, 2017}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/2013/03/05/canadian_soccer_league_to_fight_decertification.html|title=Canadian Soccer League to fight decertification|date=March 5, 2013|work=Toronto Star|access-date=December 15, 2017|issn=0319-0781}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.canadasoccer.com/canadian-soccer-league-s-standing-with-the-canadian-soccer-association-p153347|title=Canadian Soccer League's standing with the Canadian Soccer Association {{!}} Canada Soccer|date=February 11, 2013|website=www.canadasoccer.com|access-date=December 15, 2017}}{{Cite news|last=Rowaan|first=David|url=https://www.soccerwire.com/news/csl-sanctioning-ocaa-oua-ccaa-cis-eligibility-soccer/|title=Canadian Soccer League de-sanctioning leaves student-athletes questioning options|date=March 16, 2013|work=Soccer Wire|access-date=March 5, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620232145/https://www.soccerwire.com/news/csl-sanctioning-ocaa-oua-ccaa-cis-eligibility-soccer/|archive-date=June 20, 2018}} As a member in good standing, Ursini represented the CSL in their appeal to the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC). The sport arbitrator ruled that the CSA had the right to de-sanction the CSL, but ruled that the immediate decisions conducted by the CSA were unreasonable and coercive.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/canadian-soccer-association-allowed-to-de-sanction-csl-1.1395924|title=Canadian Soccer Association allowed to de-sanction CSL {{!}} CBC Sports|date=April 23, 2013|work=The Canadian Press|access-date=December 15, 2017|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2013/04/24/csl-granted-csa-sanction-for-one-more-season|title=CSA ordered to sanction CSL for one more season|last=Smith|first=Cory|website=St. Catharines Standard|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328105427/http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2013/04/24/csl-granted-csa-sanction-for-one-more-season|archive-date=March 28, 2017|access-date=December 15, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.canadasoccer.com/canadian-soccer-association-right-to-de-sanction-canadian-soccer-league-upheld-by-sport-dispute-resolution-centre-of-canada-p153808|title=Canadian Soccer Association right to de-sanction Canadian Soccer League upheld by Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada {{!}} Canada Soccer|date=April 23, 2013|website=www.canadasoccer.com|access-date=December 15, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://canadiansoccerleague.com/newsnet/templates/?a=694&z=5|title=Canadian Soccer League|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628210122/http://canadiansoccerleague.com/newsnet/templates/?a=694&z=5|archive-date=June 28, 2013|access-date=May 21, 2013}} The sports arbitrator forced them to reinstate sanctioning to the CSL until the next season for the CSA to fairly implement the Easton Report.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports13/13csl007.htm|title=CSL Reinstated as CSA-Sanctioned League|date=April 21, 2013|website=rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com|publisher=CSL press release|access-date=December 15, 2017}}{{Citation|last=TSN|title=Fan 590 - The Soccer Show - Doneil Henry (TFC) & Vincent Ursini (CSL)|date=October 17, 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb0F5SOms98|access-date=December 15, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/sports-story/8178752-csl-granted-csa-sanction-for-one-more-season/|title=CSL granted CSA sanction for one more season|last=DiBattista|first=Mike|date=2013-04-24|website=NiagaraFallsReview.ca|publisher=Niagara Falls Review|language=en-CA|access-date=2020-02-16}}

In 2014, CSA expelled the CSL from its membership which forced the league to operate as a private league for the first time since the 1997 season in its predecessor league, and became a member of the Soccer Federation of Canada.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports14/14csl001.htm|title=CSL JOINS NEWLY-FORMED SOCCER FEDERATION......promises prospective teams more achievable pro standards|website=rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com|publisher=CSL press release|access-date=November 11, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.canadakicks.com/?p=1055|title=CSL Keeps On Kicking|last=Ault|first=Bill|date=May 12, 2014|publisher=CanadaKicks|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-16}} Since the CSA de-certification of the CSL, several reforms and achievements were made under Ursini as the restrictions on import players were lifted, and a working relationship was formed with the American Soccer League (ASL).{{Cite web|url=http://canadiansoccerleague.ca/csl-owners-plan-busy-upcoming-season-the-weekend-meeting/|title=CSL OWNERS PLAN BUSY UPCOMING SEASON…The weekend meeting {{!}} Canadian Soccer League|date=March 19, 2015|website=canadiansoccerleague.ca|access-date=December 16, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://canadiansoccerleague.ca/partnership-with-american-soccer-league-a-historic-occasion/|title=Partnership with American Soccer League a Historic Occasion {{!}} Canadian Soccer League|date=March 13, 2014|website=canadiansoccerleague.ca|access-date=December 16, 2017}}{{Cite web|last=Ault|first=Bill|date=May 12, 2014|title=CSL Keeps On Kicking|url=http://www.canadakicks.com/csl-keeps-on-kicking/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-15|website=CanadaKicks|language=en-US}} A television agreement was made with Ethnic Channels Group, and beIN Sports to broadcast their television program, and revived their sponsorship deal with Givova in 2016.{{Cite web|url=http://canadiansoccerleague.ca/canadian-soccer-league-and-givova-csl-and-givova-revive-working-relationship-coincides-with-return-of-csl-soccer-show/|title=CANADIAN SOCCER LEAGUE AND GIVOVA REVIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIP… return of CSL Soccer Show {{!}} Canadian Soccer League|last=Adamson|first=Stan|date=July 13, 2016|website=canadiansoccerleague.ca|access-date=December 16, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://canadiansoccerleague.ca/the-csl-this-week-returns-popular-television-show-back-on-air/|title=THE CSL THIS WEEK RETURNS…..Popular television show back on air {{!}} Canadian Soccer League|date=June 20, 2016|website=canadiansoccerleague.ca|access-date=December 16, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://canadiansoccerleague.ca/csl-weekly-television-show-renamed-givova-csl-primetime/|title=CSL WEEKLY TELEVISION SHOW RENAMED……Givova CSL Primetime {{!}} Canadian Soccer League|last=Adamson|first=Stan|date=July 16, 2016|website=canadiansoccerleague.ca|access-date=December 16, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://canadiansoccerleague.ca/givova-csl-primetime/|title=Givova CSL Primetime Tonight {{!}} Canadian Soccer League|last=Adamson|first=Stan|date=July 21, 2016|website=canadiansoccerleague.ca|access-date=December 16, 2017}} Affiliations were formed with the Ontario Youth Soccer Association to establish a YSA Division to house the CSL academy teams and with the Canadian Corporate Soccer League in developing a structure of competition for the city's corporate clubs in Toronto.{{Cite web|url=http://csloysa.ca/index.php/news/11-csl-partners-with-ontario-youth-soccer-association-youth-division-with-csl-academy|title=CSL partners with the Youth Soccer Association|date=November 27, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127153126/http://csloysa.ca/index.php/news/11-csl-partners-with-ontario-youth-soccer-association-youth-division-with-csl-academy|archive-date=November 27, 2016|access-date=December 16, 2017}}

Ursini is also involved with the Blackhorse Village Players as a stage actor, where he has appeared in plays such as A Red Plaid Shirt, The Psychic, Office Hours, and The Red Velvet Cake War.{{Cite web|url=https://www.simcoe.com/whatson-story/9261267-blackhorse-village-players-break-out-the-plaid-for-show-in-caledon/|title=Blackhorse Village Players break out the plaid for show in Caledon|date=2019-04-05|website=Simcoe.com|publisher=Alliston Herald|language=en-CA|access-date=2020-02-16}}{{Cite web|url=http://caledoncitizen.com/?p=31987|title='The Psychic' a sensational success at Blackhorse|date=2020-01-23|website=Caledon Citizen|language=en|access-date=2020-02-16}}{{Cite web|url=http://caledoncitizen.com/?p=11224&upm_export=print|title=Office Hours worth every minute at Blackhorse|last=Ritchie|first=Anne|date=January 14, 2015|website=caledoncitizen.com|publisher=Caledon Citizen|access-date=2020-02-16}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.caledonenterprise.com/whatson-story/9678702-blackhorse-village-player-s-serves-up-a-whomping-success-by-anne-ritchie/|title=Blackhorse Village Player's serves up a whomping success by Anne Ritchie|last=Ritchie|first=Anne|date=2019-11-06|website=CaledonEnterprise.com|publisher=Caledon Enterprise|language=en-CA|access-date=2020-02-16}}

{{Reflist}}

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Category:Living people

Category:Canadian men's soccer players

Category:Association football executives

Category:Canadian Soccer Association

Category:Canadian male stage actors

Category:Canadian accountants

Category:Soccer people from Ontario

Category:People from Caledon, Ontario

Category:Canadian sports executives and administrators

Category:1960 births

Category:Men's association football players not categorized by position

Category:20th-century Canadian sportsmen

Category:University and college men's soccer players in Canada