When the Breeze take the field in 2016, it’ll be with some familiar faces.
The DC Breeze announced today that Jonathan Neeley and Jon Pressimone have both signed for the 2016 season. Neeley was a member of the 2014 Breeze team that earned a playoff berth, but unfortunately was injured just before the start of the regular season and could only make his comeback in the playoff game. Pressimone, already a 3-year Breeze veteran having played every Breeze season so far, will continue into Season 4 while now also serving as the team’s Maryland Youth Coordinator.
Neeley re-joins the Breeze with plenty of past club experience, having played in Richmond and Charlottesville before moving up to DC and joining Truck Stop several years ago. He has also coached ultimate in far away locations like Amsterdam and Panama, and the not-so-far away location of Albemarle County, where he attended college at the University of Virginia.
Pressimone, better known as Press, has been making major contributions for the Breeze since 2013 and is excited for Year 4, saying “I still think some of my best ultimate is in front of me.” Press will also take up an important new role in 2016: Maryland Youth Coordinator. In this position, he’ll continue and even increase his tireless efforts to build the sport on the youth level, hoping to influence the next generation of potential Breeze players.
“I’m very excited to welcome back Neeley and Press to the Breeze for 2016. Both are great leaders and both are a big part of the ultimate community in and around D.C.” stated Head Coach Alex Ghesquiere. “They are exactly the players our fans can look up to, and the Breeze are the better for having both on the team. They will really help the Breeze try to bring an AUDL championship to D.C.”
Press added, “This team has an incredible place in my heart, and I’m thrilled to be involved as it continues to grow.”. He and Neeley join David Boylan-Kolchin, Ben Feng, Matt Kerrigan and Brad Scott as returning players the Breeze have announced so far.