Bill Armistead is an LA Galaxy original.
Armistead’s lifelong interest in soccer truly took flight in 1996 when he joined the club in their inaugural year. From humble beginnings to the glitz of the StubHub Center, the senior account executive has seen it all during his tenure with the club.
Ahead of #GalaxyThrowBack Night on Thursday, Armistead looks back on his 21-year career with the LA Galaxy.
INSIDER: Why did join the Galaxy?
ARMISTEAD: “I was involved in a volunteer effort during the 1994 World Cup and enjoyed every minute of it, and I had been in commercial real estate for a long time but decided that I wanted to do something new. Well, I was the president of [then UCLA men’s soccer head coach] Sigi Schmid’s booster club even though I didn’t have an association with the school. Sigi knowing that I had a real interest in soccer put me in touch with Danny Villanueva Sr. and then a nice woman named JoAnne who ultimately brought me aboard. They didn’t have anyone to market season tickets, so I took that role and I’ve been doing it ever since. I still love the work.”
INSIDER: What makes the Galaxy so special?
ARMISTEAD: “I think a lot of things. Number one: I’ve worked with a lot of terrifically nice people. I suppose another would be that everyone here are soccer fans and with a few exceptions, soccer players as well. Except for me because soccer is the only game that I never played, but the only game that I dearly love. Because of this job, I’ve met so many great people and many who I’ve brought on board as season seat holders.”
INSIDER: What is your favorite memory with the Galaxy?
ARMISTEAD: “I guess it would have to be winning the championship at home in 2011. It was at home, and I was with our staff, we also had a lot of seat holders in attendance. It was great.”
INSIDER: Who is your favorite Galaxy player of all-time?
ARMISTEAD: “I should say Cobi Jones because I’ve known him for so long, but my other favorite player is Mauricio Cienfuegos. For a small statured man, he was the most predictably unpredictable man with the ball who was able to deliver with perfection.”
INSIDER: What was your favorite win with the club?
ARMISTEAD: “It was MLS Cup 2002 when El Pescadito Ruiz scored in the overtime to help us win our first MLS Cup. We were in Boston, and I had one of my sons with me. We had never been to the city before, and we had a fantastic time. There was a party in the clubhouse at the end of the game, and I think that’s my best memory of all. Just being there with my son when we won our first title.”
INSIDER: What’s your greatest accomplishment with this club?
ARMISTEAD: “If it had to be one thing, it would be when I was the top salesman in the country about five years ago. But other than that, it is that everyone with the Galaxy seems to be so accommodating and helpful to everyone else. It’s just a good family and team relationship that one has with others here. Everyone gets along here and at the same time has fun. I’m just a lucky, lucky a** because I’m 82-years-old, and people my age don’t have many opportunities to work in an environment like this. If I weren't here, I’d be at home pestering my wife who likes it a lot that I go to work, and I don’t blame her.”
