CHICAGO - The Chicago Fire announced that former General Manager Peter Wilt will join Peter Nowak, Frank Klopas and Lubos Kubik as the fourth member of the club's Hall of Fame, the "Ring of Fire." All three former players were in charge of this year's selection into the distinguished group. Wilt will officially join the "Ring of Fire" during a ceremony to be held prior to the Fire's contest against Nowak's D.C. United on Saturday, July 22 at TOYOTA PARK (7:30 p.m., CSN).
"It is truly humbling to be in the company of such distinguished people. I am extremely grateful to Piotr, Frank and Lubos for this honorable selection," said Wilt. "This is also recognition of all Fire staff members, coaches and players who helped create and develop the Chicago Fire into one of the most recognized and respected soccer organizations in the nation. I am looking forward to joining this elite group and celebrating the history and tradition of the Fire with fans, friends, colleagues and family."
The 46-year-old Wilt was appointed as the Fire's first GM in June 1997 and had been the longest tenured GM with the same MLS team prior to his departure in December 2005. In the club's inaugural season, he guided the Fire to a glorious year as the team captured the "Double," winning the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup in 1998.
"It's my honor and privilege to welcome Peter Wilt to the Ring of Fire. He has been instrumental in the growing, not only of the Fire organization, but also the soccer community throughout the Chicagoland area," said Nowak, the Fire's first member of the club's Hall of Fame. "He gave every player a feeling for what the organization stands for and an opportunity to contribute to its success. In addition, Peter gave fans of the Fire what they dreamed of from day one, one of the best soccer facilities in this country. On behalf of all Fire players and the other members of the 'Ring of Fire', I thank Peter for his contributions to the club."
In a span of seven years, Wilt guided the club to seven domestic Cup Finals, capturing four championships (MLS Cup in 1998 and U.S. Open Cup in 1998, 2000 and 2003), three division titles (2000, 2001 and 2003) and the Supporters Shield in 2003. Wilt saw the Fire earn playoff berths for six consecutive seasons, from 1998 to 2003.
Under Wilt's leadership, AEG-the Fire's parent company-and the Village of Bridgeview entered an agreement in 2004 to build a permanent stadium for the Fire in Bridgeview. The $98 million, 100% publicly funded stadium, TOYOTA PARK, opened just this past weekend before a sold-out crowd of 20,133.
"From the beginning, Peter set out to build an organization that established traditions and respected history. The Ring of Fire has quickly become a fundamental initiative of the Club that recognizes and celebrates the unique contributions of special individuals," said Fire President/CEO John Guppy. "I think it is only fitting and appropriate that the Ring of Fire creator, now be inducted himself."
In 2002, Wilt, a native of McHenry, IL, was named the Naperville Person of the Year by the Daily Herald after moving the team from Chicago to suburban Naperville and gathering sold out crowds on a regular basis at its temporary home, Cardinal Stadium, while Soldier Field underwent renovations.
Among other accolades, Wilt was named the MLS Executive of the Year in 1998 and was inducted into the Illinois Soccer Hall of Fame in 2004. Under Wilt, the Fire earned recognition by the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame in 2004 for the club's community efforts surrounding the team's move to Naperville.
Wilt also served as the President of the Fire's charitable arm, the FireWorks for Kids Foundation, from 1998 to 2005, and remains on the Board of Directors for the Foundation. He is a graduate of Marquette University and resides in Milwaukee, WI, with his wife Ann.
