STATESBORO, Ga. — South Georgia Tormenta FC has announced the departure of Special Projects Coordinator Lars Eckenrode, who also served as a defender for the club before his retirement following the 2022 season.
“I want to thank Tormenta FC for the past 5 years. Thank you to both Darin and Netra for providing me with the opportunity to live my dream as a professional soccer player and also for taking me into the front office following my playing career,” Eckenrode said. “The memories, friendships and experiences I’ve had here will stay with me forever.”
Lars Eckenrode signed with Tormenta FC in 2019 and was the captain of Tormenta’s first ever game in the USL League One. Eckenrode captained the team to a shutout 1-0 win over Greenville. He was also a part of the 2022 roster that won the USL League One Championship. His dedication to Tormenta continued following his playing career as he joined the Tormenta FC Front Office as the Special Project Coordinator.
During his time as Special Project Coordinator, Eckenrode took lead on both the Carter Payne Bowling Fundraiser and the Ibis Foundation Golf Tournament. The Carter Payne Bowling Fundraiser raised over $10,000 and the Ibis Foundation Golf Tournament raised over $6,000.
“Lars Eckenrode was part of the original building blocks of Tormenta’s journey to the professional ranks and left an indelible print on our organizational culture,” Darin Van Tassell said. “What a privilege to have Lars as a part of our story.”
Founded in 2015, Tormenta FC is a professional soccer club based in Statesboro, Georgia. Tormenta FC competes in the professional USL League One and the pre-professional USL W League, under the United Soccer League (USL), and has also established a thriving academy system throughout South Georgia and the Lowcountry of South Carolina. The club seeks to play an exciting brand of soccer featuring elite local, national and international players. In addition, Tormenta FC is also constructing a new state-of-the-art 5,300-seat soccer-specific stadium in Statesboro. Currently being built next to The Clubhouse on Old Register Road, the new venue will provide an exciting and authentic professional soccer experience for fans and players alike.
