The Columbus Crew announced plans with the Southern Ohio Adult Soccer Association (SOASA) to host the 1st Annual State Soccer Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Banquet on September 2 in the Huntington Club at Crew Stadium.
"The Crew is pleased to be able to present this special event that honors some of Southern Ohio's most influential soccer supporters and visionaries," said Crew General Manager Mark McCullers. "We believe Crew Stadium, serves as the foremost soccer destination in Ohio and we look forward to hosting this inaugural ceremony and honoring the nine inductees."
The Southern Ohio Soccer Association was formed and began as the Ohio-Indiana-Kentucky Soccer Association (O.I.K.) and was comprised of teams from all three states administered from the offices of the German Club Edelweiss in Englewood, Ohio. Shortly thereafter, the association affiliated itself with the United States Soccer Federation, which is the governing body of soccer in this country. The association was chartered and boundaries were set by the U.S.S.F., and included teams from Dayton, Cincinnati, Columbus, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Louisville. Neither Indiana nor Kentucky had a charter at the time and were governed by the OIK Soccer Association who, in the early 1970's, encouraged both Indiana and Kentucky to form their own soccer associations. In 1978, the Ohio South Youth Soccer Association was chartered to administer soccer players through the age of eighteen. Now known as the Southern Ohio Adult Soccer Association, the SOASA remains as the administrating body for all adult amateur players.
"Soccer is enjoyed by so many in this area. The players of today know little of the hard work and dedication it took to start and keep the game alive. We felt that exceptional contributions should be recognized," said Ken Conselyea, President of SOASA. "The inductees represent all aspects of the game. Players, coaches, referees, administrators, and media from the youth, adult, high school, college and professional all have a history to be appreciated. The State Soccer Hall of Fame is one way of telling the story."
The induction ceremony and banquet will include the honoring of nine inaugural members and will take place from 12 to 2 p.m., prior to the Crew's home game against the Colorado Rapids at 3 p.m. The nine inductees will also be honored at midfield during halftime of the game that night.
The nine inaugural inductees include:
- Mr. Nick Capurro: Former financial supporter of several Cincinnati teams and coach of the first professional team in the area, the Cincinnati Comets.
- Mr. Paul Scheurmann: First Secretary & President of the Ohio-Indiana-Kentucky Soccer Association (O.I.K.) and was responsible for its affiliation with the United States Soccer Federation.
- Mr. Pat Smith: Former player and referee who was certified with the American Soccer League and was a referee instructor for Ohio South and other soccer organizations.
- Mr. Vince Pecoraro: Former referee and organizer of the Cincinnati leagues and referee assignor for both adult and youth clubs in Cincinnati.
- Mr. Herman Kraft: Former goalkeeper for German Club Edelweiss who led his club to 3 Midwest regional amateur club championships.
- Mr. Jack Hermans: Former high school and college coach (Xavier 14 yrs.) who has run youth soccer camps for past 20 yrs.
- Mr. Carl Wright: Former high school and adult amateur referee who is responsible for referee assessment program in the area.
- Mr. Roland Bedard: Former recreational referee and commissioner of Soccer Association for Youth.
- Mr. Dave Long: First media reporter to present soccer to the public in this area, dedicated many years to reporting high school soccer.
"Over the years many people volunteered time and deferred family commitments to become players, coaches, officials and administrators. Their sacrifices contributed to the enhancement of the game in our state and it is these people and these sacrifices which we seek to honor by the Hall of Fame Ceremony," acknowledged Tom Kondas, Chairman of the Hall of Fame Committee and past President of SOASA. "This is long overdue recognition to people whom we not only admire and give gratitude, but to whom we are indebted for the popularity of the game today."
The First Annual SOASA Hall of Fame Induction is open to the public. Tickets are available to the Banquet and Crew game together for $45 or can be bought for the Banquet only for $30. Please RSVP to Anne Barber at (614) 447-4151 or abarber@thecrew.com no later than August 24, 2007.
Founded by American sports pioneer Lamar Hunt, the Columbus Crew is Ohio's Major League Soccer club, anchoring a diverse sports and entertainment enterprise. One of the league's Charter Members and the U.S. Open Cup champion in 2002, it is currently in its 12th season overall and ninth in first-of-its-kind Columbus Crew Stadium.
