Geoffrey Gartman
Geoffrey began his soccer career in 1979 with the U-10 Wesley Heights Bandits of the CYSA recreational league. After a few years playing rec ball, he was selected for the first Columbus travel club team, the Columbus Classics, coached by local coaching pioneer David Reiss. This team competed against top-tier Atlanta clubs and experienced skill development opportunities with Coach Roy Rees, who eventually coached the USA at four U-17 World Cups, from 1987 through 1993, a tenure during which the young Americans celebrated historic victories over Brazil, Italy and Argentina. As soccer was implemented into the Columbus public school system in 1986, Geoffrey served as a three-year captain for the W. H. Shaw Raiders soccer team during his sophomore-to-senior tenure. This team saw immediate success with three City Championship appearances, resulting in one Championship and two State Tournament appearances. He earned two All-Bi-City honors and was selected for the 1988 Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) All-Star game. In Fall of 1988, Geoffrey began his collegiate career locally with Columbus College (CC) Cougars (currently Columbus State University) as the institution initiated a move from club to varsity level of play. As a freshman, Geoffrey earned All-Peach Belt honors. After two years of collegiate competition, Geoffrey hung his boots up to pursue other work-life interests but continued participating in CC and Auburn University intramurals as well as adult league play.
Geoffrey is currently a Business Intelligence Specialist in the Facilities Division of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The 23 years prior saw him as a Statistical Applications Manager and Email Operations Manager with various entities of Time Inc. He has been married to wife Pamela for 27 years and they have one son, Sloan. On the sporting side, Geoffrey is an Ironman triathlete. He remains a life-long soccer enthusiast and is excited for the opportunity to support this Columbus soccer endeavor!