WASHINGTON, D.C. - The entire U.S. Soccer family was saddened by the loss of former U.S. international goalkeeper and coach David Charles Vanole who passed away January 15, 2007, of heart failure.
Vanole, 43, was with his wife Kerry Tatlock at the time. The couple was in Salt Lake City, Utah, on a ski trip with her family. The Tatlock and Vanole families wish to express their deep gratitude for the outpouring of support they've received from people around the country. Funeral arrangements were held in New York City where David (also known as "Dino" in the soccer community) and his wife resided, and a second memorial was held in Manhattan Beach, Calif., where David grew up.
In consultation with David and Kerry's families, the Foundation has established the David Charles Vanole Memorial Fund to honor the life, career and years of distinguished service David dedicated to the sport of soccer. Proceeds from the endowment will be distributed on an annual basis through a grant awarded by the Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Soccer Federation, to soccer clubs and organizations in urban areas to help create and sustain soccer opportunities for underserved children, with an emphasis on groups in the Southern California region, where David's career started.
Born in Redondo Beach, Calif., on Feb. 6, 1963, Vanole was a longtime resident of Manhattan Beach. It was as a soccer player that the native of Southern California made his biggest mark back in the late 1980s.
Prior to playing internationally, Vanole led UCLA to the NCAA championship in 1985. He then became the backbone of the 1988 U.S. Olympic Team, starting all three matches in Seoul, South Korea. Vanole finished his international career at the highest level, playing a key role in helping the United States qualify for the 1990 FIFA World Cup, the team's first appearance in the world's largest sporting event in 40 years.
Vanole also played in the formative years of the rebirth of professional soccer in this country, taking the field for the Los Angeles Heat, San Jose Earthquakes and San Francisco Bay Blackhawks from 1986-1991 in the Western Soccer League and then the American Professional Soccer League (APSL). He won an APSL title with San Francisco in 1991.
"David was one of the pioneers at the start of a new era for U.S. Soccer," said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. "I remember very well his impact on the team at the 1988 Olympics and in helping the United States end a very long World Cup drought in 1989. He should be remembered for that right alongside the other early stars of the sport in our country. At this difficult time, we wish his wife, Kerry, and his family the best and our thoughts are with them."
In addition to being an integral part of the USA's run at the 1990 FIFA World Cup, it was Vanole's experience and leadership that helped the United States again at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, with Vanole serving as goalkeeper coach for the silver-medal-winning U.S. Women's National Team. He most recently served as an assistant coach of the New England Revolution, a position he also held with the Washington Freedom in the WUSA. Prior to working with the Revolution, Vanole was the goalkeeper coach for D.C. United. He was also a coach at various youth national team levels, including a stint under Sigi Schmid with the U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team at the FIFA World Youth Championship in 1999 in Nigeria. Vanole also served as the goalkeeper coach for the UCLA men's and women's teams in the late 1990s and was a part of the men's team's 1997 NCAA championship. Vanole was profoundly proud of his role in developing some of the top goalkeepers in the country.
"Soccer lost a great person with David Vanole's passing," said John A. Koskinen, President of the Foundation. "He was a wonderful role model and hero for a generation of players and an invaluable resource for soccer in this country. He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Kerry, and the rest of his family."
Per a request from the Tatlock and Vanole families, in lieu of flowers fans can make a donation to the charitable fund set up in his honor. Donors should make checks payable to either the David Charles Vanole Memorial Fund in care of the U.S. Soccer Foundation, or visit the Foundation's website at www.ussoccerfoundation.org/vanole to make a safe and secure online donation to the David Charles Vanole Memorial Fund.
U.S. Soccer Foundation
Attn: David Charles Vanole Memorial Fund
1050 17th St., NW, Suite 210
Washington, DC 20036
Foundation donors and friends of David "Dino" Vanole are also encouraged to contribute their favorite memoirs of the former U.S. National Coach and player on the Foundation's website. Send your memories of "Dino" to the Foundation at vanolefund@ussoccerfoundation.org. The Foundation will post thoughts and memories of Vanole from his friends and fans throughout the coming days. A listing of personal stories and recollections can be viewed here.
ABOUT THE U.S. SOCCER FOUNDATION
The U.S. Soccer Foundation was established in 1994 to manage the surplus funds generated by the 1994 FIFA World Cup held in the United States. Under the guidance of its Board of Directors, the Foundation has taken a leading role in supporting the continuous development of the sport at all levels. Over $45 million in grants, financial support and loans have been made to help develop a soccer nation. The Foundation has provided 432 grants focused on developing players, coaches and referees and building or enhancing fields and soccer complexes, with a special emphasis on economically disadvantaged urban areas. For more information, or to donate online, please visit: ussoccerfoundation.org.
