San Diego Loyal SC announced Friday that President Ricardo Campos will leave his position Sept. 18, while San Diego MLS revealed his addition to the expansion club.
Campos will, however, remain as a consultant to the Loyal as the team finishes its final United Soccer League Championship season.
Travis Lamprecht, vice president of marketing and communications, has been named head of business operations for SD Loyal.
“I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity and support that [Club Chairman Andrew Vassiliadas] has given me and for his belief in soccer in San Diego,” Campos said. “It has been an honor to work alongside such talented and caring individuals at the club.
In August, following four seasons in the second-division USL Championship, the Loyal announced it would fold after this season.
Campos is set to join the San Diego MLS expansion team as executive vice president of club operations.
In a news release, he called it “an absolute honor to join the team at San Diego MLS.”
“I’m thankful for the opportunity to join the team and be a part of building a football club that is a reflection of this uniquely diverse community in San Diego,” he continued. “The ability to help shape a club is something very unique, even more once I’ve gotten to know about the club vision and the ownership group. I am excited about the future of football in San Diego and what we will accomplish together.”
Campos was the first employee hired by Warren Smith after the San Diego market was awarded a USL Championship franchise in June 2019.
He was named interim president in August 2021 ahead of the Loyal’s first USL Championship playoff appearance. Following the 2021 season, Campos was officially announced as club president in January 2022.
“Ricardo has been championing the club’s values with us from day one,” Vassiliadis said. “I can’t thank him enough for representing our crest, our organization and this city the right way, which he has done beautifully throughout his tenure. I’m thrilled he will continue to consult with us for the remainder of our season.”
The Loyal will join a long list of now-defunct San Diego soccer teams, including the Flash, Pumitas, Gauchos, Top Guns, Nomads, an indoor and outdoor iteration of the Sockers and Jaws and the Toros.
– City News Service and staff reports
Updated 9:20 p.m. Sept. 8, 2023
