Stars Add Pair Of Indoor Veterans

TACOMA, Wash. -- The Tacoma Stars have signed midfielder Jamar Beasley and forward Dan Antoniuk, Head Coach and General Manager Darren Sawatzky announced today.

Beasley and Antoniuk join the Stars as the club prepares to begin its first full season in the Major Arena Soccer League later this month.

Beasley, 35, has been playing professionally since 1998, when he became the first player in league history to make the jump directly from high school to Major League Soccer with the New England Revolution. Beasley made the transition to the indoor game in 2003, joining the Kansas City Comets of the Major Indoor Soccer League. His brother, DaMarcus, has played professionally for years and represented the United States in four separate World Cups.

“Jamar is a savvy player that can change the game at any moment,” Sawatzky said. “He has played at this level for years and brings with him a wealth of experience. We are getting the pieces together to compete from day one and Jamar will be a huge piece of that for us.”

“I am very proud and happy to be a part of the Tacoma Stars organization and very grateful to be on the field competing for a championship,” Beasley said. “I can’t wait to get out in the community and meet the wonderful fans of the Stars.”

Antoniuk, 34, brings over 11 years of professional experience to the Stars, including time spent with five separate indoor clubs. The 1999 NCAA Division III All-American played three years for Wheaton College in Massachusetts, where he still holds school records in career goals (54) and points (144). Antoniuk led the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the North American Soccer League with nine goals on the way to a NASL Championship in 2012.

“Dan will fill a few roles for us, with the most important being a veteran leader,” Sawatzky said. “He has vast experience in the indoor game and the younger squad we have put together will learn from his experience. We also need his ability to play different roles as we find our way in the new league.” 

“I’m really excited about signing with the Stars,” Antoniuk said. “We have a great leader in Coach Sawatzky. The Northwest has awesome soccer fans, and I have family that live here. There are a lot of things to feel positive about -  I’m looking forward to the season.”

Stars single-game ticket sales are now open and can be purchased by visiting www.tacomastars.com or by calling 866-973-9613. All 10 of the Stars home games are played at the ShoWare Center in Kent, Washington.

Season ticket packages, group outings, and suite offerings for the Tacoma Stars 2015 season are available now. To purchase, call 1-844-STARS-TIME or visit the Stars online at www.tacomastars.com. The most up-to-date news and notes about the Stars leading up to the start of the 2015 season can be found by following the Stars on Twitter (@TacomaStarsSC) or liking the team on Facebook