Augusta Panthers Off And Running

The Augusta Panthers begin play in UPSL Division One in 2025/Courtesy- Augusta Panthers Facebook

Merquiades "Merq" McLellan grew up in West Point, Georgia and played near the Georgia-Alabama border in his younger years. Attending a small, private school, he didn't have the athletic program available to match the education his stepfather wanted him to have. McLellan would play in Troup County and, then, when he was in the Army would play in earnest- including the indoor game in Columbus.

But, that's when the idea of what would become Augusta's newest soccer club came to be.

"When I was stationed here in the Army, that's when I first had the the idea. So, the wheels were turning," McLellan admits. "We played a little 11v11 tournament. Some USA guys came out and a few guys from Augusta came out. And it was fun. I was like, 'Man, there's a lot of talent here.' And so that was the first thought process of it.

“And then, I don't know, we're four years later. And about six months ago is when I finally was like, let me make an actual business. So, made a nonprofit. It's a state non-profit right now. We're not 501-C or anything yet, but hopefully soon it's in the process. And that was really it."

When McLellan started piecing the Panthers together, there is the idea of choosing a league and where to go. The UPSL was the eventual decision. His time and exposure to franchises like a Fountain City FC in Columbus helped steer it.

"I started looking into the different league," McLellan says. " Do we go a little higher, like USL League Two...? Things like that...? Or NISA and NISA Nation...? A lot of it is expenses and then you have to be more established sometimes for a lot of these other leagues. With Augusta not having anything like this for, I don't know, like 10 years, I thought that was the the quickest way in. But also where I got the most feedback. When I reached out to the Georgia conference, people were pretty good at getting back to me."

McLellan works in architectural design, so he knows how to take a thought and turn it into a three-dimensional representation of what a piece of paper can give you. His time in eastern Georgia has given him the knowledge of two hours one way and two hours in the other can yield a lot of talent. He has seen interested players drive from places like Statesboro (two hours south)- coming and going- to share what "Merq" sees.

"It's crazy. I didn't know what to anticipate. I didn't expect our first season to have guys traveling from so far away. And so part of it is we're a new team and so it's a good opportunity. For this area specifically, you haven't had anything in so long. And for a lot of these guys it's 'Yes, it's a first opportunity' for some guys like the young guys, we have 16 year olds and 17 year olds. But for the guys that are 24 and 25, this is an opportunity- a second chance that they didn't think would ever be here.

"I think just reminding them that that 'Hey, if you want it, you can do it.' You know, I was traveling from Augusta to Columbus when I was playing indoor. Sure, I was technically paid or whatever, but it didn't cover the gas. And so it was just something that I enjoy. I love soccer. I'd rather be playing than anything else, right...? So if this is something that you want to pursue. Then, you have to dedicate time, it has to be a full-time job and you just can't give up on yourself."

The Panthers are in Division I for 2025 and placed in the Georgia South Division- calling Augusta Soccer Park home for this season. For the longest time, Merq has been one-man-banding it. But, with Match Day 1 finally here, he is getting help on game days and in promotion- especially on social media.

"Time has been an illusion for me right now. But yeah, I mean, I'm excited for it. I really just want to see the guys play for me. It's. It's like the first accomplishment, you know what I mean...? It's the first step on the ladder. I just want to see the guys playing and really give them that first. Hey, we made it! You know, we're doing the right thing. I want to give them the opportunity to prove themselves."

There is a large community attachment to the goals (pardon the pun) that the Panthers are looking to show. There are desires to add public soccer parks, make youth soccer affordable, build affordable housing in the area through donations, and pairing with Athletic Scholars to impact through even the smallest acts of kindness to build the game.

All of that is part of the vision McLellan has with the Panthers going forward...

"If I enjoy it, I'm going to pursue it," he says. "I guess that's how I work for business too, is if I enjoy something like soccer and nobody else is doing it, why not just start it?"

On the field and off...

Catch the full SDH 1v1 interview with McLellan on Spreaker and your favorite podcatchers!