MAINEVILLE, Ohio (December 9, 2025) – The Ohio Soccer Association (OSA) announced today that Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gordon Henderson will retire on Dec. 31, 2026. Upon his retirement, Bill Glaze, OSA’s current Chief Technical Officer (CTO), will assume the role of CEO effective Jan. 1, 2027.
Henderson joined the organization in 2009 as Ohio South Youth Soccer Association Director of Coaching. He was named Executive Director in 2019 and led the successful merger of the Ohio North and Ohio South Youth Soccer State Associations in 2021 — a historic first for any U.S. Soccer or US Youth Soccer state association. Following the merger, Henderson became OSA’s inaugural CEO, where he has worked to reinvest significant funds back into the game at the local and state levels, including a recent successful player registration campaign targeting growth and new registrations among OSA membership. He also led the creation of The Ohio Sports Association (TOSA), a subsidiary organization to OSA that extends the risk management, oversight and insurance benefits found at OSA, to other sports.
Henderson’s impact extends beyond Ohio as well. In addition to his work with OSA, Henderson serves as the Vice President and Head of Innovation for the United States Consortium of State Associations (USCSA). Evan Dabby, CEO of the New Jersey Soccer Association and president of USCSA, highlighted Henderson’s national influence. “I have had the honor of working with Gordon for many years,” Dabby said. “His leadership has strengthened not only soccer in Ohio, but also the United States Consortium of State Associations through his work as vice president and head of innovation. His vision and collaborative approach have elevated the youth soccer landscape nationwide. He will be greatly missed.”
“It has been such a rewarding experience to be a part of the soccer community in Ohio over the past 16 years,” Henderson said. “We have a tremendous staff, board of directors, and membership that has worked tirelessly to create an exceptional youth soccer experience for thousands of families across Ohio. As we transition leadership responsibilities to Bill over the next year, it is clear he is well prepared for this role. He knows, cares for, and understands the soccer community and has been an integral part of OSA’s success during his tenure as Chief Technical Officer.”
Glaze brings extensive experience to his new role. During his time as CTO, Glaze has overseen OSA’s daily operations and all programming, including the Ohio Cup Series. He holds multiple coaching instructor licenses and actively serves as a U.S. Soccer coach educator across several license levels. He is also a member of multiple US Youth Soccer committees and has been deeply involved with the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program as a regional and national coach. Bill will retain his Technical Director responsibilities while transitioning into his new role as OSA’s CEO.
“As the next CEO, I am honored to be trusted with this position and fully committed to building upon OSA’s current momentum,” Glaze said. “I have learned a great deal from Gordon over the years we have worked together and look forward to continuing his passion for innovation while strengthening operational excellence. Our focus will remain on enhancing the soccer experience for our league and club members and their families, as we collaborate with our membership to shape the next decade of growth for OSA.”
John Ruffolo, president of the OSA Board of Directors, praised Henderson’s leadership and expressed confidence in Glaze’s ability to guide the organization forward. “I want to personally thank Gordon for his incredible service to OSA,” Ruffolo said. “He has consistently been a true innovator and personally spearheaded the merger of two state organizations into one cohesive association. His leadership has helped establish OSA as one of the most progressive youth soccer organizations in the country.”
Ruffolo added, “Bill was the clear choice to succeed Gordon. He is highly respected within the soccer community at the local, regional, and national levels and has a proven track record of successfully managing the organization’s daily operations. While Gordon will certainly be missed, we are excited about the future of OSA under Bill’s leadership.”
Additional information regarding the transition and the vision of OSA moving forward will be shared at the 2026 OSA Workshop and AGM in February in Columbus.
About Ohio Soccer Association (OSA):
OSA is a non-profit organization dedicated to growing youth soccer in Ohio. Our singular goal is to support, inspire, and grow youth soccer by unlocking the potential within every community. We support clubs, leagues, teams, coaches, referees, parents, and players with resources, expertise, and programs that it easier for young people to get involved and stay in the game. We stand for innovation, integrity, teamwork, inclusion, and trust. Find out more at www.ohio-soccer.org.
For more information, please contact Bill Glaze at bglaze@ohio-soccer.org.
