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BEHIND THE STRIPES

Chris Wiley

By Atlanta United FC

June 17^th, 2020

Pizza. Community. Soccer. Three words that describe Oz Pizza owner Chris Wiley’s life.

His business partner and co-owner David Howard started their business in 1997 in Decatur, Georgia. Now, there are a total of three locations in East Point, Fairburn and Fayetteville. The East Point location has a Soccer in the Streets pitch right in their backyard. They host adults and children throughout the week right in their backyard.

“They love it, Wiley exclaimed. “The community loves it. It’s turning a lot of people in the community who weren’t into soccer into soccer or help them learn what soccer is.”

One day after work, Chris and his son Caleb, who also is on the Atlanta United U-17 Academy team, were leaving the restaurant. Caleb motioned at the spot behind the restaurant and said,“Dad, that would be a cool spot for like a little pitch.” I said hmmm.

As Wiley’s thoughts were going around in his head, he called a dear friend at Soccer in the Streets who is now a current RDS coach, Lauren Glancy. Glancy put Wiley in connection with Phil Hill and Sanjay Patel at Soccer in the Streets.

“Sanjay came out and loved the open space that was not being used by the community. “ Wiley shared. “The property is owned partly by OZ Pizza, Joel Baskin and the City of East Point.” Sanjay loved that the area is located in the downtown area. From that point, it was a two year process to to add the pitch."

Two years later, they finally opened the pitch. Before COVID-19 hit, they had people playing everyday on the pitch from all ages. For matches, they play 7 minute halves, 5v5. The winning team stays on the field for two matches and after that they get off to continue the rotation. Wiley even brings his two sons out to play with him for some family bonding.

“It’s been a great thing in the community, nothing but a plus,” Wiley said with a smile. “It’s been good.”

Since COVID-19 occurred, they haven't been able to play those matches or serve the community like normal whether it’s fundraising nights where they give 15-percent from the orders of that evening back to a group or giving to the local communities.

“We are really big about community,” Wiley explained. “We've been offering weekly fundraiser nights for 12 years. We have given over 45,000 dollars to our local area communities. During COVID-19, we have not been allowed to offer our fundraisers. We were looking for ways to give back.”

Finally, the answer came to he and Howard. Phil Hill, of Soccer in the Streets reached out to them about a new program called Slices and Strikes that they were looking to offer. They would feed the kids in their soccer programs with a meal of 2 slices of pizza and a soccer ball. It went so well, they started to give out meals to all kids in the community.

"I said, sure let’s do it,” Wiley shared. “It was doing so well that Soccer in the Streets reached out to me and said the Clarkston Georgia community would like to get involved in our program. We were happy to do so. We’ve given out about 150 meals a week. Soccer in the Streets picks up from our East Point location and takes it to their program in Clarkston. They Are very involved in the communities that they partner with and it’s been a pleasure to work with them”.

The whole process has been a joy for Oz Pizza.

“That’s why we are here,” Wiley expressed with love. “We try to support the community where we are established. We are here to give back, to support the community. That’s what we like to do.”

On top of his business, soccer is still in his life even when he leaves the restaurant. Both of his sons have been playing soccer throughout their life. His son Caleb has been around the world in the last year just to play the game between Atlanta United Academy and being called up to the U-17 National Team.

“He has been to England, Canada, and Columbia with the Atlanta United U-17 academy. Wiley said with gratitude. He has been called up for the U-17 National Team, and played 3 International games in England as well. I personally had never been to Europe, and it was an experience."

Besides watching him on the pitch, the Wiley family also attend Atlanta United matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium during home matches. As well, watch always matches at East Point Oz since they are a Pub Partner with Atlanta United. When the team first started, he didn’t even buy tickets for the whole family— just him and his sons. Then, after going to a match the first season in Bobby Dodd Stadium, his wife and daughter changed their mind.

“They were like we need to get more tickets,” Wiley shared with laughter. “Now, they love it. They’ve gotten everybody’s autographs. My daughter takes her friends 20 minutes before the game ends to the Delta Tunnel. She’s gotten her shoes signed. She’s like ‘yes, let’s go!’ It’s been great for a family outing and living in Midtown. It takes us 10 minutes to get there. You cannot beat that.”

Soccer gives Chris and his family the opportunity to give back to his community, to see the world and to bond with each other. The 5-Stripes are a community, but more importantly a family, a family that has grown the Wileys in ways they never expected.

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