Chattanooga Pro Soccer wants help naming team

In an attempt to start drumming up community support for its inaugural season, Chattanooga Pro Soccer is starting a “Name Your Team” contest to involve the city in the naming of its newest sports franchise.

The United Soccer League Division III team has invited members of the community to submit names at chattanoogaprosoccer.com through Aug. 29. According to the website, ideas for inspiration might include “a historical figure or event rooted in Chattanooga history, native species or animals with a unique origin in the region, local natural formations or landmarks or values that capture the spirit of Chattanooga’s people.”

Nominations must include a statement in support of why the name should be chosen.

“We want our community to help us create a name that fully embodies and empowers our city,” team owner Bob Martino said in a news release. “We’re excited to add a professional team to Chattanooga’s sports scene and invite soccer fans, athletes, children, families and all citizens to submit names that reflect our community, its history and our future.”

As of Wednesday evening, there had been 150 submissions, with the vast majority of them considered “contenders,” according to a team spokesperson.

The new club was announced Aug. 1, with former Chattanooga Football Club general manager Sean McDaniel named president and general manager of the franchise a week later. The team is set to begin play next year.

“Chattanooga is a soccer city, and it’s also a creative community that’s accomplished many milestones because of coordinated efforts,” McDaniel said. “By helping name the professional soccer team, our community has a part in expressing who we are as a city and where we’re going together.”