Hall of Fame
2009 Illinois Soccer
Hall of Fame
Illinois’ “Home of Soccer”
plays host to the Soccer Hall of Fame Induction ceremony and celebratory game
The
Illinois State Soccer Association Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Banquet
at the Stadium Club at Toyota Park, on October 3rd was an impressive
affair with soccer dignitary’s from all over the United States in attendance.
The list of Inductees and Awardees honored at the event was equally impressive.
In the end nearly 400 soccer players, coaches, referees, administrators, fans
and award recipient family members attended. Full bios and information on all
the Inductees and Meritorious Service Awardees will be posted at
www.illinoissoccer.org.
Inductees:
Bob Balciunas, Gus Bender, George Ciran, Casimir Iwanicki, Joseph Karkut, Frank
Klopas, Aivars Kuplis, Steve Landek, Marc Loncar, Aleks Mihailovic, Hector Nava,
Louis Palivos, Karen Roth
Meritorious Service Awardees:
Charlie Dyson, Marcia McDermott, Bogic Ristic, Jerry Trojnarski, Walter Vla
Presidential Awards:
Ninos Alexander, Ivan Avramovic, Federico Lopez, Mary Lopez, Mike Montani,
Alfonso Mitchell, Gregory Vlamakis, Ryan Willox, Joseph Zyzda, Dragan and
Radovan Kovacevic (City Fresh Market), Noreen Karadsheh and Kristin Burda
(NovaCare Rehabilitation), Barbara Harrington and John Stein (Southtown Star).
Included
in the weekend’s celebration was the inaugural Hall of Fame Game which pitted
Ohio Soccer Association – North’s Men’s Select Team against the Illinois State
Soccer Association’s elite squad. The game took place on the practice field at
Toyota Park on Sunday, the day after the induction ceremony, and was a fitting
conclusion to the weekend’s celebration of Soccer. The game itself was a very
close competitive match between two well matched sides and was tied 1-1 for most
of the game. Illinois’ Morad finally broke the deadlock near the end of the
second half netting the winning goal in spectacular fashion.
Soccer
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. The Induction
Ceremony and banquet will be on October 3, ticket and ad order forms are posted
at www.illinoissoccer.org.
In addition to the help from Toyota Park, Village of Bridgeview
and Chicago Fire, the Illinois State Soccer Association would like to
acknowledge and thank our sponsors and partners Ford Motor Company, NovaCare
Rehabilitation, Chicago Soccer, Southtown Star, Gayety’s Chocolate, City Fresh
Market, Kendis, CSCVB, Chicago Fire and Chicago Red Stars who have
made it possible for ISSA to host this prestigious event.

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