One-on-One with Hugo Molina of Chula Vista Pumas Premier FC

Hugo Molina has seen his share of highs and lows over the years that he has been involved with Chula Vista Pumas Premier FC. While Molina was president, the club was involved in a lawsuit with the sports equipment company PUMA over the use of the name.

After months of back-and-forth discussion, PUMA and Chula Vista Pumas came to an agreement that in the end benefitted the club.

Beginning as Scorpions Soccer Club in 1982, the club transitioned to Chula Vista United and finally Chula Vista Pumas. The name “Pumas” was chosen to honor the Mexican team UNAM Pumas, with whom the Chula Vista club had at one time hoped to affiliate. It was following that effort that the club adopted the name and logo that would bring the attention of the international sportswear giant. Now the club will celebrate its 30^th anniversary with renewed strength and direction, thanks in part to Molina’s leadership.

Recently Molina stepped down from his tenure as president to focus on expansion plans, including the newly-announced addition of Dallas Pumas Premier FC from North Texas. As the new Director of Franchises, Molina will oversee the club’s growth through partnerships with new and existing organizations. Also in the works are agreements with clubs in San Fernando Valley and Imperial Valley, California. SoccerNationNews caught up with Molina to find out more about his decision to step down from club president, his hopes for the club and his current activities.

SNN: What is your new title and your goals?

Hugo Molina: My new title is Director of Franchises with Pumas Premier FC. Our goal is to develop a true and well-structured Premier program tailored for our community and to make it available to community clubs with the same needs as ours.

SNN: When did you step down from being President and why?

Hugo Molina: I stepped down in October, 2011, because I had my first child and I just needed more time to be with her. Soccer is a full-time job and I needed to let someone new step up and add their flavor to this club.

SNN: Very few San Diego based soccer clubs are partnered with out-of-state clubs/associations. How did you and Dallas Pumas Premier connect and what are the benefits?

Hugo Molina: The benefits of this partnership can be as simple as increased buying discounts on equipment and as significant as shared resources for grant writing or legal advice on large projects that will improve the clubs.

The connection with Dallas came a couple years ago when I researched what Pumas clubs existed throughout the nation. They really caught my eye because of the similarities between both our clubs.

I believe this partnership will allow for a stronger program overall.

The Dallas Pumas Premier FC club will kick off with two Academy teams, a girls’ U12 in the Arlington Premier Invitational and the boys’ U14 in the Classic League Division I. These two Academy teams join will Chula Vista's Academy U13-U19 teams that will play in Coast Premier and Presidio Soccer League.

SNN: What is happening with San Fernando Valley?

Hugo Molina: San Fernando Valley is still in negotiations, but I am very confident that they will be joining Chula Vista, Imperial Valley and Dallas, Texas, as part of the Pumas family.

SNN: How large a youth soccer organization will you be after all these partnerships?

Hugo Molina: With this addition we will grow to over 800 kids.

SNN: Will these other clubs' teams come to San Diego to play your teams?

Hugo Molina: Yes, the long-term plan is to create a National Showcase for all our affiliates. The short term plan is a player interchange program where we can send kids to participate in the Dallas Cup and bring kids to San Diego to Surf Cup.

It’s always a challenge financially for our demographics, which is exactly why we have created this network. We realize that there are communities with all the same challenges as we have, and we want to share our experience to help them reach their goals.

SNN: Will your coaches go there?

Hugo Molina: We will initially create a DOC interchange program, then phase in a coach interchange. The idea is to have a unified curriculum.

SNN: Can you briefly describe these clubs?

Hugo Molina: These people are all hardworking and passionate people. It’s an extra challenge to run a program with all volunteers. When you say these people really do this for the kids and to help the sport grow, it’s absolutely true.

SNN: How did the lawsuit with PUMA change or delay your initial plans?

Hugo Molina: The lawsuit had a big impact on our initial plans to start this project. Our first signing, Birmingham, Alabama, decided not to return and has since disbanded. I guess I could not blame anyone for not wanting to associate themselves with an organization with legal troubles. In the end it all worked out.

When you see that you have people who truly devote themselves to the good of the game and the kids, all you can do is try and help them. That’s what PUMA did.  The legal issues were all resolved amicably. 

SNN: What are your goals for the future?

Hugo Molina: My goal is to return the joy of soccer to the kids. I am fortunate to be able to share the field with people I have admired and even watched on TV.  All of us want to help share the joy of the game.  I have great memories of days as a kid  when I would smash up soda cans as goals and play untill the sun went down.

If my daughter ever decides to play, I want her to see that the game is truly is as great as her dad says it is.

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