Frank DuRoss
Encyclopedia
Frank DuRoss is the owner of multiple professional sports franchises in the United States. His most recent acquisition is Carolina RailHawks F.C., USL First Division
soccer team located in Cary, North Carolina
.
DuRoss began his corporate career in 1976 when he entered a partnership with his brother, Jim, and was named vice president of Oneida Building Services, Inc., a company the DuRoss brothers would sell in 1986 to International Service Systems, Inc.
In 1980 the brothers created Oneida Asbestos Removal, Inc. This highly successful property had $24 million in annual sales, and at the time, was one of the 350 fastest growing privately held companies in the country.
In 1987, Frank DuRoss ventured into the sports industry when he became part of a group of investors in the Utica Devils
of the American Hockey League
(AHL). Four years later he co-purchased the Maine Hockey Club and moved them to Providence, Rhode Island
, where it became one of the league’s strongest franchises, winning the Calder Cup
Championship in 1999. On April 10, 2001 DuRoss purchased 100% of the Providence Bruins
from his former partner Ed Anderson. He serves on the Executive Committee of both the American Hockey League and the United Soccer Leagues
.
Frank DuRoss owned the Rochester Raging Rhinos
soccer team, a USL First Division
side, beginning with the team’s inception in 1995. A native of Utica, New York
, DuRoss was the catalyst in the Rhinos' drive for PAETEC Park
, a new multi-purpose outdoor stadium in Rochester, New York
. Frank’s efforts, including working with local and state political leaders, secured funds for the new stadium, a 17,500 seat soccer specific stadium. The State of New York
committed $15 million for the project.
DuRoss, along with partners Steve Donner
and Chris Economides
, formed the Rhinos in the fall of 1995. In the following decade, the team won the A-League
three teams and captured the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in 1999. The Rhinos' ownership trio was inducted into the USL Hall of Fame in 2005 as builders.
DuRoss a co-founder in Major League Lacrosse
operates the Rochester Rattlers
lacrosse team, a member of the ten-team league.
DuRoss was part of an investment group that managed the restaurants, concessions and novelty
operations of the ESL Sports Centre
, a four-arena, multi-purpose complex on the campus of Monroe Community College
in Rochester, New York. Co-founder of the National Lacrosse League
(NLL), DuRoss at one time owned the Boston Blazers.
Presently DuRoss owns Sylvan Strands Realty Corporation and DuRoss Realty Corporation, a commercial
real estate property development companies, he formerly owned various media properties including radio station
(WOWZ FM-97.9
) in Utica and the rights to a television station in Des Moines, Iowa
and Greenville, South Carolina
.
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
soccer team located in Cary, North Carolina
Cary, North Carolina
Cary is a large town and suburb of Raleigh, North Carolina in Wake and Chatham counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located almost entirely in Wake County, it is the second largest municipality in that county and the third largest municipality in The Triangle after Raleigh and Durham...
.
DuRoss began his corporate career in 1976 when he entered a partnership with his brother, Jim, and was named vice president of Oneida Building Services, Inc., a company the DuRoss brothers would sell in 1986 to International Service Systems, Inc.
In 1980 the brothers created Oneida Asbestos Removal, Inc. This highly successful property had $24 million in annual sales, and at the time, was one of the 350 fastest growing privately held companies in the country.
In 1987, Frank DuRoss ventured into the sports industry when he became part of a group of investors in the Utica Devils
Utica Devils
The Utica Devils were an ice hockey team of the American Hockey League. The team played in Utica, New York at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.-History:...
of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL). Four years later he co-purchased the Maine Hockey Club and moved them to Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
, where it became one of the league’s strongest franchises, winning the Calder Cup
Calder Cup
The Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...
Championship in 1999. On April 10, 2001 DuRoss purchased 100% of the Providence Bruins
Providence Bruins
The Providence Bruins are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are the primary development team for the NHL's Boston Bruins. They play in Providence, Rhode Island at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.-History:...
from his former partner Ed Anderson. He serves on the Executive Committee of both the American Hockey League and the United Soccer Leagues
United Soccer Leagues
The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...
.
Frank DuRoss owned the Rochester Raging Rhinos
Rochester Raging Rhinos
The Rochester Rhinos are an American professional soccer team based in Rochester, New York, United States. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having self-relegated from the USSF D2 Pro League...
soccer team, a USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
side, beginning with the team’s inception in 1995. A native of Utica, New York
Utica, New York
Utica is a city in and the county seat of Oneida County, New York, United States. The population was 62,235 at the 2010 census, an increase of 2.6% from the 2000 census....
, DuRoss was the catalyst in the Rhinos' drive for PAETEC Park
PAETEC Park
Sahlen's Stadium, formerly PAETEC Park and Marina Auto Stadium, is a soccer-specific stadium in Rochester, New York, USA. It is home to the Rochester Rhinos soccer team of the USL Pro league and the Western New York Flash of Women's Professional Soccer. It is also home of the Major League Lacrosse ...
, a new multi-purpose outdoor stadium in Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
. Frank’s efforts, including working with local and state political leaders, secured funds for the new stadium, a 17,500 seat soccer specific stadium. The State of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
committed $15 million for the project.
DuRoss, along with partners Steve Donner
Steve Donner
Steve Donner is an American sports promoter, team owner, and manager. He was an owner of the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League and the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League. He is currently the CEO of USL Pro soccer team, Orlando City S.C..-Career:Donner helped...
and Chris Economides
Chris Economides
Chris Economides is the Senior Director of the a USL First Division part of the United Soccer Leagues. Prior to joining USL in October 2008, Economides served as the Chief Operating officer for the Rochester Rhinos before going on to found former USL First Division team Carolina Railhawks.Prior to...
, formed the Rhinos in the fall of 1995. In the following decade, the team won the A-League
A-League (1995–2004)
The A-League was a professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. The A-League emerged out of the restructured American Professional Soccer League in 1995 and operated until 2004, after which it was re-branded the USL First Division...
three teams and captured the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in 1999. The Rhinos' ownership trio was inducted into the USL Hall of Fame in 2005 as builders.
DuRoss a co-founder in Major League Lacrosse
Major League Lacrosse
Major League Lacrosse, or MLL, is a professional men's field lacrosse league that is made up of five teams in the United States and one team in Canada.- History :...
operates the Rochester Rattlers
Rochester Rattlers
The Rochester Rattlers are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Rochester, New York. They are a charter member of the MLL. From their inaugural season in 2001 to 2005, they were in the National Division. From 2006 to 2008, they were a member of the Eastern...
lacrosse team, a member of the ten-team league.
DuRoss was part of an investment group that managed the restaurants, concessions and novelty
operations of the ESL Sports Centre
ESL Sports Centre
The Sports Centre at MCC is a 2,500-seat, non-profit indoor athletics facility in the Rochester, New York suburb of Brighton. Located on the campus of Monroe Community College, the arena was built in 1998. It is home to four regulation-size ice rinks for semi-professional, high school, and youth...
, a four-arena, multi-purpose complex on the campus of Monroe Community College
Monroe Community College
Monroe Community College is a two-year college of the State University of New York, located in Monroe County, New York. The college has two campuses, one in the town of Brighton and another, the Damon City Campus, in the City of Rochester...
in Rochester, New York. Co-founder of the National Lacrosse League
National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League is a men's professional indoor lacrosse league in North America. It currently has nine teams; three in Canada and six in the United States. Unlike other lacrosse leagues which play in the summer, the NLL plays its games in the winter and spring. Each year, the playoff...
(NLL), DuRoss at one time owned the Boston Blazers.
Presently DuRoss owns Sylvan Strands Realty Corporation and DuRoss Realty Corporation, a commercial
real estate property development companies, he formerly owned various media properties including radio station
(WOWZ FM-97.9
WSKU
WSKS and WSKU are radio stations simulcasting a Top 40 format. Licensed to Whitesboro, New York and Little Falls, New York, the stations serve the Utica-Rome area and are currently owned by Roser Communications Network....
) in Utica and the rights to a television station in Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
and Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
.