Get to know the Front Office behind Indy Eleven Professional Soccer. Each week we'll share members of the Front Office staff who are responsible for ensuring an exciting gameday experience and supporting the on-field action with sponsorship, marketing, ticket sales, accounting, operations, and merchandise.
This week: Meet the Operations Team! Just two members of the front office keep the train moving. Pretty much anything that requires an eagle-eye for logistics falls in their court– think traffic flow, schedule, reserving event rentals and plenty more! These are two busy guys and man, are we grateful they keep us on-track.
Get to know the Front Office behind Indy Eleven Professional Soccer. Each week we’ll share members of the Front Office staff who are responsible for ensuring an exciting gameday experience and supporting the on-field action with sponsorship, marketing, ticket sales, accounting, operations, and merchandise.
This week: Meet the Operations Team! Just two members of the front office keep the train moving. Pretty much anything that requires an eagle-eye for logistics falls in their court– think traffic flow, schedule, reserving event rentals and plenty more! These are two busy guys and man, are we grateful they keep us on-track.
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Name: Andy Piggush
Job Title: Director of Operations, oversees game and stadium operations
Hometown: Fishers, IN is my hometown and where I reside today.
I majored in Sport Administration at Ball State, and my main professional goal has always been to be a part of a soccer team in my hometown. I interned with a team in MLS, a team in the PDL, and then started as an intern here, years after graduating college. Fortunately, I have been able to grow with the team from an intern, to the Equipment Manager, to the Team Operations Manager, to now being the Director of Operations.
I have had the luxury to work with some of the greatest and most tireless coaches, staff, and players who share my passion for this sport. Going to work day in and day out with these people and seeing this team grow has been more rewarding and enjoyable than I ever thought possible.
There are my most memorable moments so far:
10/11/14 – First home win versus Minnesota
4/15/16 – Come from behind win versus the Cosmos
6/11/16 – Clinching the Spring Championship in dramatic fashion versus Carolina
9/13/17 – Celebrating the life of Drew Schwier with a last gasp winner against NCFC
Name: Andy Piggush
Job Title: Director of Operations, oversees game and stadium operations
Hometown: Fishers, IN is my hometown and where I reside today.
I majored in Sport Administration at Ball State, and my main professional goal has always been to be a part of a soccer team in my hometown. I interned with a team in MLS, a team in the PDL, and then started as an intern here, years after graduating college. Fortunately, I have been able to grow with the team from an intern, to the Equipment Manager, to the Team Operations Manager, to now being the Director of Operations.
I have had the luxury to work with some of the greatest and most tireless coaches, staff, and players who share my passion for this sport. Going to work day in and day out with these people and seeing this team grow has been more rewarding and enjoyable than I ever thought possible.
There are my most memorable moments so far:
10/11/14 – First home win versus Minnesota
4/15/16 – Come from behind win versus the Cosmos
6/11/16 – Clinching the Spring Championship in dramatic fashion versus Carolina
9/13/17 – Celebrating the life of Drew Schwier with a last gasp winner against NCFC
Name: Justin Autajay
Job Title: Operations Manager – managing and executing all aspects of a game day (set-up, game presentation/elements, entertainment, Honda Fun Zone, break down, etc) & coordinating stadium operations
Hometown: Born/From in Indianapolis, currently lives north of downtown Indianapolis
After I graduated from Indiana University in 2011, I interned with the US Soccer Development Academy working tournament operations. Our staff was in charge of all set-up/break down and game operations throughout each tournament. In the summer of 2013, I began my career with Indy Eleven as a marketing and operations intern.
Throughout the past 4 years, I’ve been able to work in several departments with the team which has been a great experience. I’ve always wanted to work in sports. Being around the game of soccer my whole life, working for Indy Eleven seemed like a perfect. The people I work with and the game day environment are what I enjoy most. I’ve had the chance to work with a lot of great people over the years here and being surrounded by those who share the same passion as you makes it more enjoyable. The atmosphere of a game day at Carroll Stadium is something our fans and city have taken a lot of pride in each of the last 4 seasons. The support and appreciation of the fans helps us create the best possible experience for them every game.
My first memory working for Indy Eleven was the International Champions Cup game in 2013 when we hosted Chelsea vs. Inter Milan at Lucas Oil Stadium. This was the first big event I helped with as an intern and it was incredible to see over 40,000 fans in attendance that game. Some of my favorite memories at Indy Eleven were the trips we took to the 2013 Soccer Bowl in Atlanta and a staff outing to Tampa Bay as well as clinching the Spring Championship in 2016 in front of our home crowd.
Indy Eleven is important to me because working here has given me the opportunity to pursue my passion for sports and the game of soccer in the city I grew up in. Being part of an organization that helped grow professional soccer here is something special. Indianapolis is a thriving sports city and Indy Eleven has been an important part of that over the last 4 years.
Name: Justin Autajay
Job Title: Operations Manager – managing and executing all aspects of a game day (set-up, game presentation/elements, entertainment, Honda Fun Zone, break down, etc) & coordinating stadium operations
Hometown: Born/From in Indianapolis, currently lives north of downtown Indianapolis
After I graduated from Indiana University in 2011, I interned with the US Soccer Development Academy working tournament operations. Our staff was in charge of all set-up/break down and game operations throughout each tournament. In the summer of 2013, I began my career with Indy Eleven as a marketing and operations intern.
Throughout the past 4 years, I’ve been able to work in several departments with the team which has been a great experience. I’ve always wanted to work in sports. Being around the game of soccer my whole life, working for Indy Eleven seemed like a perfect. The people I work with and the game day environment are what I enjoy most. I’ve had the chance to work with a lot of great people over the years here and being surrounded by those who share the same passion as you makes it more enjoyable. The atmosphere of a game day at Carroll Stadium is something our fans and city have taken a lot of pride in each of the last 4 seasons. The support and appreciation of the fans helps us create the best possible experience for them every game.
My first memory working for Indy Eleven was the International Champions Cup game in 2013 when we hosted Chelsea vs. Inter Milan at Lucas Oil Stadium. This was the first big event I helped with as an intern and it was incredible to see over 40,000 fans in attendance that game. Some of my favorite memories at Indy Eleven were the trips we took to the 2013 Soccer Bowl in Atlanta and a staff outing to Tampa Bay as well as clinching the Spring Championship in 2016 in front of our home crowd.
Indy Eleven is important to me because working here has given me the opportunity to pursue my passion for sports and the game of soccer in the city I grew up in. Being part of an organization that helped grow professional soccer here is something special. Indianapolis is a thriving sports city and Indy Eleven has been an important part of that over the last 4 years.
