The ISSA will announce the induction of Frank Klopas, retired Chicago Fire sensation and esteemed member of the 'Ring of Fire,' into the Illinois State Soccer Association (ISSA) Hall of Fame at the Fire versus Columbus Crew game this Saturday, July 11 at 7 p.m. at Toyota Park. The official Induction ceremony and banquet will take place on October 3rd, 2009 at Toyota Park.
The ISSA Hall of Fame Committee Chairman, Julius Roth, will present Klopas with the "2009 Chicago Fire/Illinois State Soccer Association official Hall of Fame Induction Jersey" that has been a tradition since 2004. Those attending will include: members of the ISSA Executive Board and Illinois Soccer Hall of Fame Committee; Andrew Hauptman, Chicago Fire Owner; Dave Greeley, President of the Chicago Fire; Branko Ilic, President of the ISSA and Hall of Fame Inductee; and fellow Hall of Fame members Joe Zyzda and Gregory Vlamakis.
"Frank has accomplished so much despite his young age in comparison to most Inductees. The committee overwhelmingly believed he wholeheartedly deserved the honor of Induction," remarked Branko Ilic, ISSA President. "Frank has been great for soccer nationally and for Illinois and we look forward to his continued contribution to the game at the Fire and beyond."
Frank Klopas made a name for himself due to his incredible success on the field, leading the Chicago Fire to capture both the 1998 MLS Cup and 1998 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup titles in the Fire's inaugural season. His accomplishments also include playing on the U.S. Men's National Teams for the 1998 Summer Olympics and for the 1994 World Cup. Currently, Klopas serves as the Technical Director of the Chicago Fire.
"Frank Klopas is the embodiment of exactly what the Illinois State Soccer Association Soccer Hall of Fame strives to recognize," said Julius Roth, Chairman of the Illinois Soccer Hall of Fame Committee. "He has excelled at all levels of the game and continues to give back to soccer right here in Illinois where he started out."
"It's an honor to be a part of the ISSA Hall of Fame among so many prestigious members. Illinois has such a rich tradition of soccer, and it's an honor to be recognized by the ISSA and included in the Hall of Fame," said Frank Klopas, Chicago Fire Technical Director.
The ISSA Hall of Fame celebrates almost 100 years of outstanding commitment and service to soccer by inducting individuals who have either excelled on the field or served soccer in other capacities in an exceptional manner. Klopas will join the photographic display as the 128th inductee on the ISSA Wall of Fame, which includes photos of 89 individuals who have received the Meritorious Service Award.
Two other notable Hall of Fame Inductee announcements will also be announced on July 11th: Mayor Steven Landek, whose drive and determination brought the home of soccer in Illinois to Bridgeview; and current Director of Coaching Instruction for USASA and ISSA, Aleks Mihailovic, who has an expansive career as a professional player, A-Licensed coach and instructor.
ABOUT THE ILLINOIS STATE SOCCER ASSOCIATION
The ISSA has been in existence since 1916 and is the governing body of adult soccer in Illinois. It is affiliated with the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) and the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). The USSF is in turn affiliated continentally with The Football Confederation and the Federation Internationale de Football Associations (FIFA). The ISSA is comprised of over 27 Leagues. Its committees include referee and coaching units which license thousands of people annually. ISSA affiliate members are located throughout Chicago, its suburbs, central and southern Illinois. For information on the Soccer Hall of Fame program please contact the Illinois State Soccer Association at 312.226.7920 or visit
www.illinoissoccer.org
.
ABOUT CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER
Chicago Fire Soccer was founded on October 8, 1997 as a Major League Soccer expansion team. The Fire won the MLS Cup in its inaugural season in 1998 and was crowned the champion of U.S. Soccer's national tournament, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, in 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006. In June 2006, the Fire moved into its world-class home of TOYOTA PARK, located in Bridgeview, IL.
ABOUT TOYOTA PARK
Located 15 minutes from downtown Chicago and minutes from Midway airport off of I-55 on Harlem Avenue, TOYOTA PARK is the Midwest's preeminent outdoor live entertainment and sporting facility. Opened in 2006, TOYOTA PARK not only serves as the home of the Chicago Fire, but also hosts a variety of sporting events, special events and concerts by national and international artists. In 2009, artists ranging from Jimmy Buffett to Phish will perform live at TOYOTA PARK.
