ShowsCosta Papista
The Flint Bucks Soccer Franchise Owner May 22, 2019 (Segment Two) Flint has an incredible and varied sports history. In truth there are few communities (if any) in the United States that can boast the rich tradition that Flint and Genesee County has in terms of athletic teams, players, and tradition over the last 100 years. However, despite this legacy, and the communities historic support of soccer, there has never been a professional soccer team in the city- until now.
Costa Papista, late of the Flint Firebirds, has teamed with owner Dan Duggan to bring the most successful minor league soccer franchise in the United States to Flint, and Flint Kettering University's Atwood Stadium. That's two gems in one place. Formerly called the Michigan Bucks, and now called the FLINT CITY BUCKS, the opportunity to move the franchise to Flint was one that was just too good to pass up according to Papista. Not only is he a well known mainstay of Flint hockey and and sports, he's now adding football/soccer to his resume. The team took shape last year and he was vigilant in making sure that they got it right as it related to the history of the city of Flint, as well as the rich and amazing history of Atwood Stadium. Thats how I got involved with him and the team, making sure they got the history right, and that it resonated with the community was so important to Costa that he and I developed a great friendship over the last year- one that helped to ensure that the cities history is reflected in the franchise. To say he hit it out of the park ( to mix in a baseball metaphor to our soccer story) would be a dramatic understatement! From the teams logo, the way they play, the manner in which Atwood is leveraged, and the total commitment to community engagement, it's a team and culture all Flintstones can be proud of. Costa joins me for a quick interview here, and we will be having him and star Flint City Buck Foster Appiah from Ghana on a future Fish and The Flint Chronicles show soon! 
Costa and Gary in the studio
Flint City Bucks logo
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Costa at the mic
Team members on the pitch of Atwood Stadium
On the pitch in Atwood Stadium
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