Union sign ex-goalie Bob Rigby for TV team

Bob Rigby, one of the great soccer goalies produced from the Philadelphia area, has been hired as part of the Union's television broadcast team. A graduate of Ridley, Rigby will be a sideline reporter and work on the pregame and postgame segments.

J.P. Dellacamera will return as play-by-play announcer and MLS and national team veteran Taylor Twellman will be the analyst. The Union will soon announce the media outlets that will broadcast their games.

Rigby helped lead the Philadelphia Atoms to the 1973 North American Soccer League championship in their inaugural season, which was also his rookie year. The Atoms were the first U.S. team in any sport to win a professional championship in its first year.

"I'm really excited at this opportunity with the Union," Rigby said. "I was a Union season-ticket holder last year and saw how much excitement the team generated."

Rigby said he did some color commentary one season after suffering an injury with the old New York Cosmos, where he was a teammate of the great Pele.

After his playing career, Rigby earned a master's degree in counseling psychology and is a certified addictions counselor and licensed professional counselor. For the last 25 years he has coordinated a student assistance program in the Ridley School District.

Rigby also has continued to follow soccer closely and said he can't wait to begin broadcasting.

"I am just pinching myself," Rigby said. "This is a great opportunity."