Kitsap Pumas hire Pete Fewing as head coach; add Windermere as jersey sponsor

Above: New Kitsap Pumas head coach Pete Fewing poses with Bremerton Mayor-Elect Patty Lent at the November 9 press conference in Bremerton. Below: The Pumas also announced Windermere as their title and jersey sponsor.

In a couple of big announcements for the one-year old Kitsap Pumas Soccer Club today, the franchise announced the hiring of Pete Fewing as its second head coach, and the signing of a partnership with Windermere Realty as the clubs' title sponsor.

Pete Fewing is well known in Puget Sound soccer circles for his long run as the head coach at Seattle University as well as for his soccer camps and this year's analyst role on Seattle Sounders FC broadcasts. Fewing shared his excitement with taking the job and talked about his style as a coach. He said he prefers the straight 4-4-2 formation but will also adapt because of the narrow pitch at the Pumas home ground at Bremerton's Memorial Stadium.

Fewing spoke about his attention to detail as a head coach, including at one point buying bathrobes for the Seattle University program so that players would have their names and numbers on them and feel a futher sense of pride and professionalism. He talked also about the connections he has to players in the area, and that already he has heard interest from guys wanting to play for him in Bremerton.

The Pumas announced a deal with Windermere Realty today as their title sponsor for the next three years, and displayed the 2010 Pumas kit with the sponsor on the chest.

UPDATE: We've got more from the new Pumas' head coach in this follow-up story with fresh video content.

Fewing was interviewed by Steve Clare at Prost Amerika: "I’d like to see us win the league, win the PDL championship... don’t see any reason why that shouldn’t be the goal – to win the whole thing, as far as the PDL goes. I’d also love to win an Open Cup game. I love to play them. Last year they (Pumas) lost 0-3 to Portland. I saw Brian Schmetzer do it with the USL Sounders, beating the MLS teams. And that was from the USL over the MLS."

Official Press Release from the Pumas:

Bremerton, Wash. – The Kitsap Soccer Club today named Peter Fewing as its head coach. The club also announced its first-ever jersey sponsor, Windermere Real Estate, at a press conference held today at team headquarters.

Fewing comes to the Pumas following a diverse and highly successful coaching career highlighted by a stellar run at Seattle University. During his 18-year tenure at the helm of that program - which he is credited with building virtually from scratch (1988- 2006) - Fewing captured five regional championships (1990, 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2004.) His teams also won two national collegiate championships (1997 & 2004) at the NAIA and Division II levels, respectively.

“Pete takes us to the next level,” said owner Robin Waite. “We’re glad to have him."

“I am thrilled with the opportunity to coach at this level – especially after having spent this past summer with Seattle Sounders,” said Fewing. “Working with athletes that want to excel at the pro level is something I’ve always looked forward to.”

Fewing played midfield for the Seattle Storm from 1985 to 1990, in the now-defunct American Professional Soccer League. He was the team’s all-time assists leader, ranks in the top ten in total points and second in total team appearances with 78.

“Coming to a brand-new pro soccer organization with a solid foundation will allow us to do something very special,” said Fewing. “I’ve been given an incredible opportunity to move all of this forward on behalf of our owner, staff, players – and most importantly – this community. I feel very fortunate and am grateful to Robin for believing in me. I want all of Kitsap to come out and spend their Saturdays with us.” 

His “Peter Fewing Soccer Camps” are now in their 30th year and are recognized as a regional institution. Amazingly, Fewing started this program as a seventeen-year-old. He also is a noted public and motivational speaker and is a guest lecturer for the University of Washington’s IAL program.

“Pete is going to be tremendous for us both on the field and off the field,” said Pumas executive director Ben Pecora. “If you’ve not heard him speak, you are in for a real treat. I firmly believe that Kitsap will fully embrace this guy.”

Fewing can be heard regularly on ESPN Seattle Radio – AM 710 - on Saturday mornings; He is part of the current Seattle Sounders broadcast team on which features Cliff McCrath, Alan Hinton, Matt “Stretch” Johnson, Kevin Calabro, Lisa Gangel and Paul Silvi.

Windermere Real Estate today becomes the first-ever jersey sponsor in the brief history of the club. The firm’s logo will feature prominently on the front of the team’s official home, road and replica jerseys. The agreement runs for two years with the club holding an option on a third-year. The firm will also receive high-visibility, in-stadium placement at all Pumas home matches.

“We’ve been looking for this sort of opportunity for quite some time” said Kitsap (Westsound) owner Mike Pitts. “Usually we do one-off events but with the success the Pumas had in only one year and the opportunity to affect all of the communities consistently over a longer period of time made this partnership a no-brainer.”

“Windermere is a perfect fit for what we aspire to  - committed local ownership; a firm with real Northwest roots and an appreciation for outstanding customer service and tradition” said Ben Pecora. “This agreement came together faster than any other I’ve ever been associated with – which is a real testament to Mike and his team.”

Windermere Real Estate was founded in Seattle by John Jacobi in 1972. The company has grown exponentially each year since, setting the benchmark for the practice of real estate nationwide.

Windermere has grown to become the leading real estate company in the western United States, building on its commitments to professionalism, integrity and service to the communities of which it is a part. The Windermere Network now has more than 290 offices serving communities in Arizona, British Columbia, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

The Realty Alliance and REAL Trends, two leading industry organizations, have recognized Windermere Real Estate as the top regional real estate firm in the United States.

Representing this coalition of Kitsap-based Windermere offices, agents and families today were:

Mike Pitts, owner of Windermere Westsound Inc. (Poulsbo and Silverdale)

Carol Sue Rogers – (Bremerton0

Andrew Welch – (Port Orchard)

Jim Laws – (Kingston and Bainbridge Island)

Carter Dotson – (Windermere partner at large)