Chris Canetti, president of Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo and a 1992 Quinnipiac University graduate, received the 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award from his alma mater on Oct. 24.
“It is an absolute honor to receive this prestigious award, and I am grateful to the University for recognizing me,” said Canetti, a Guilford native who lives in Houston, Texas. “Quinnipiac is a special place and holds important meaning in my life. There's no question that my education played a valuable role in my career development.”
Outstanding graduates who make remarkable contributions to their professions, communities and Quinnipiac are honored every two years at Homecoming.
Canetti was one of seven alumni honored at the TD Bank Sports Center on the York Hill Campus. Brett Amendola, vice president of the Alumni Association National Board of Governors, served as the master of ceremonies, while Quinnipiac President John L. Lahey presented the awards.
Canetti earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from Quinnipiac in 1992. He played first base for the Quinnipiac baseball team from 1988-92.
Distinguished Alumni Award recipients exemplify the mission and goals of the Alumni Association and display outstanding leadership and achievement in their professions and careers.
“It was great being back on campus to see the University's ongoing growth and to be among old friends,” Canetti said. “The campus is impressive and beautiful, but it is the people of Quinnipiac that make it a great place and every return a very happy occasion.
As president of the Houston Dynamo, Canetti oversees all aspects of the organization, including the National Women’s Soccer League’s Houston Dash; BBVA Compass Stadium, a new, 22,000-seat soccer-specific venue; and the Houston Sports Park, the training facility for the Dynamo and Dash.
Canetti joined the Dynamo in 2006 as the team’s chief operating officer. He became president in 2010. He also serves as president for Dynamo Charities, the nonprofit arm of the organization. He is on the board of directors for the East End Chamber of Commerce, Central Houston, and the Houston Boys & Girls Clubs.
Following the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, Canetti organized “Soccer Night in Newtown,” in which the North American soccer community united to provide hope and healing for the town.
A venerable who’s who of professional soccer, including Landon Donovan, Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Cobi Jones and Alexi Lalas, participated in the event, along with about 1,500 Newtown residents.
“We wanted to bring smiles to the face of kids in Newtown and give them a diversion from some of the awful realties facing the community,” Canetti said on the day of the event.
Canetti also led an initiative to support the Houston Fire Department after it lost four members of its squad in a 2013 fire. The Houston chapter of the American Diabetes Association recently honored Canetti with its “Generosity to Mankind Award.”
Prior to joining the Dynamo, Canetti was assistant general manager for the New York Red Bulls of MLS. Before joining MLS, he served as general manager for the New Haven Ravens, a Double-A minor league baseball affiliate of the Seattle Mariners and Colorado Rockies. He was the youngest GM in baseball, earning that position at just 26 years old.
In 2008, he received the Doug Hamilton Executive of the Year award, Major League Soccer’s top executive honor. In 2010, he was named to Sports Business Journal’s prestigious Forty Under 40 list of influential sports executives.
Canetti and his wife wife, Judi, have two daughters, Kara and Ella.
