U.S.
Women's National Soccer Team Star
Abby Wambach to Appear at the Hall
of Fame
ONEONTA,
NY (September 3, 2008) – U.S.
Women’s National Team forward Abby
Wambach will share her reflections on the
2008 Olympic Gold Medal winning U.S. Women’s
National Team and her pursuit of excellence
as the most prolific scorer in U.S. women’s
soccer on Saturday, September 27th at 7:00
PM. The appearance will take place at the
National Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum in
Oneonta, NY.
"Abby has produced goals at a prodigious
rate,” Hall
of Fame President Steve Baumann said. “She
has clearly been a leader of our women’s
team and the sight of her laying on the field
appealing for help after breaking her leg
just before the Olympics was one of the most
heart-rending in recent memory.”
"However, this is an extraordinary
woman who has shown the ability to meet and
overcome
adversity,” Baumann continued. “She
is one goal short of 100, placing her 5th
on the All-Time U.S. goal scoring list. What’s
remarkable is that those who are ahead of
her, with the exception of Hall of Famer
Michelle Akers, have all played more than
twice the number of games. This is an incredible
opportunity to meet and hear from one of
the great players in history – an Olympic
Gold Medalist at the 2004 Athens Olympics,
a Women’s United Soccer Association
professional champion in 2003, scoring the
sudden death game-winning goal, and an NCAA
Division I Champion in 1998.”
"I am looking
forward to visiting the Hall of Fame,” Abby
said. “I hope
I’ll be able to pass along the thrill
I get from soccer and from my amazing teammates,
past and present, like Hall of Famers Mia
Hamm and Julie Foudy, and my current teammates
who did such a great job in winning the Gold
Medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.”
Her career as an outstanding player began
in her hometown of Pittsford, NY, on the
Our Lady of Mercy High School girls’ soccer
team, a top high school squad that won three
section championships only to lose in the
NY State Finals. While attending the University
of Florida she won an NCAA Division I National
Championship in 1998. Following graduation
she joined the Washington Freedom of the
WUSA where the team won the 2003 league championship
on an Abby goal.
She joined the national team in 2001 and
has played in two FIFA Women’s World
Cups and won an Olympic Gold Medal at the
2004 Athens Games. She has scored 99 goals
in 127 games, the best strike rate in U.S.
women’s soccer history. She broke her
leg this past June in the final warm-up match
prior to the Olympics and is now rehabbing
the injury. She expects to be on the field
when Women’s Professional Soccer, the
new women’s league, kicks off in the
spring of 2009.
The Museum will have extended hours on September
27th, opening at 10:00 AM and remaining open
until 9:00 PM. Standard Museum admission
rates will apply to those attending the program.
This event is made possible with funding
by the Otsego County Bed Tax Event Grants
Program. Otsego County Tourism, 800-843-3394/visitcooperstown.com.
Additional support was provided by the A.
Lindsay & Olive B. O'Connor Foundation,
and MVP Healthcare.
Hall
of Fame Revamps Election Criteria
ONEONTA, NY (August 20, 2008) – The Board of Directors of the National
Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum has revamped the threshold for the election of
recently retired players. Previously, the minimum percentage for election required
receiving votes on 75% of the ballots cast. Going forward a player named on 66.7%
of the ballots will be elected to the Hall of Fame. “After much research
and discussion, the Board determined that the election threshold needed to change
to better ensure that a recently retired player or players will be elected each
year,” Hall of Fame President Steve Baumann said. "The change to a
lesser supermajority vote will increase the chance a player will be elected on
the first round ballot, while, at the same time, make certain there is overwhelming
support for that player’s election.”
The change in supermajority would not have changed the results of any election
in the past five years other than the 2008 year in which no player was elected
to the Hall of Fame. In the 2008 election the two players who received the most
votes, Joy Fawcett and Preki Radosavljevic, received votes on more than
66.7% of the ballots cast.
If no player meets the new election threshold, a second round ballot will be
conducted among those voters who participated in the initial round of balloting.
The five players who received the most votes in the first round will be placed
on the second ballot. Voters will be asked to rank the players on a 5-4-3-2-1
basis with 5 being the most deserving player. The player who receives the most
points will be elected to the Hall of Fame. If there is a tie for most points,
all those tied will be elected to the Hall of Fame.
The Board, at its May meeting, also lengthened the waiting period following retirement
for eligibility from three years from the date of retirement to three full calendar
years after the year of retirement. The effect of this change will see no new
players added to the Hall of Fame’s 2009 Player Ballot.
The new eligibility
and election criteria will go into effect for the 2009 election cycle.
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Hall
of Fame Receives New York State Funds
for New Field
ONEONTA, NY (August 11, 2008) – New
York State Senator James L. Seward
announced that New York State has placed a $300,000 capital expenditure in
the 2008-2009 NYS budget for the purpose of adding a fifth field to the National
Soccer Hall of Fame field complex.
The new field will allow the Hall of Fame
to expand its summer tournament and camp
offerings as well as become an even more
attractive host for the New York State Boy’s
Soccer Championships. “This is about
job growth and economic development for Oneonta
and the county by utilizing our assets and
boosting tourism," Seward said. "The
spin-off effect helps restaurants, lodging
and retailers, and ultimately, it's a shot
in the arm for our sales tax receipts."
"We are elated and thankful to receive
this grant,” Hall of Fame President
Steve Baumann said.”This will be a wonderful
addition to our current fields. We have four
world-class award winning fields on campus
now. The fifth field will be equal in quality
and these funds will make it possible to
have the infrastructure to keep it that way.
We will be able to host more teams and more
events and bring more people to Oneonta because
of this award.”
The Hall of Fame has hosted the New York
State Boy’s Championship weekend for
eight years. In 2006 the tournament moved
from four competitive classes to five, making
the scheduling of the tournament much tighter
on the day of semifinals when 10 matches
take place. “A fifth field will make
the tournament easier to schedule and manage,” Hall
of Fame Program Manager Pamela Frutiger said. “We
have lived in fear of a snow fall that delays
games or of semifinals on the same field
that go to overtime that might extend the
competition into dusk or force us to carry
over the finish of matches until the next
day. We have not needed to do that so far,
but it is a concern. A fifth field will alleviate
that concern.”
At times in the past the Hall of Fame has
needed to limit tournament offerings or turn
away teams because of limited field space.
The fifth field will minimize that occurrence
in the future.
Construction will begin as soon as practicable
with negotiations ongoing with potential
field construction companies.
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National
Soccer Hall of Fame Featured in Sports
Illustrated Column
ONEONTA, NY
(July 28, 2008) – A visit to the National
Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum is a responsibility
of all soccer fans in the United States
according to SI.com columnist Greg Lalas.
He writes: “Make a pilgrimage to the
National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta,
N.Y. The United States' rich and textured
history in this sport is more than 1950,
Paul Caligiuri's goal, and Alexi Lalas'
goatee. There are also Bethlehem Steel,
the most successful club of the early part
of the 20th century; Davey Brown, a 5-foot-3
striker from New Jersey, who scored 52
goals in 38 games in the 1926 - 27 season;
and Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun,
the genius who signed both Sonny & Cher
and Led Zeppelin, and also owned the New
York Cosmos. Their names and stories should
be known.”
“Greg
has honored us with his writing and his
belief that a visit to Oneonta is every
soccer fan’s obligation,” Hall
of Fame President Steve Baumann said. “The
Museum covers close to 150 years of soccer
in the United States. Greg has just scratched
the surface in his column. We have thousands
of photographs, hours of video, and tons
of documents that help us tell the story
of the people, teams and leagues that created
soccer here. The Museum exhibits unique
and valuable artifacts like the 1922 U.S.
Open Cup medal won by Hall of Famer Fred
Beardsworth, the ball that Joe Gaetjens
headed into to the goal to defeat England
in the 1950 FIFA World Cup, and, of course,
the 2 World Cup trophies our U.S. Women’s
National Team has won. Many of the photographs
on exhibit are rare, and the video is a
classic viewing of historic moments.”
The Museum is open daily during
the summer months. Visit www.soccerhall.org
for all you travel needs and for special
events like Induction 2008 coming the first
weekend in August.
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Schmid
100th Victory Memorabilia Goes on Display
 ONEONTA,
NY (May 21, 2008) – On April 26, 2008
Columbus Crew coach Sigi Schmid became
only the second coach in Major League Soccer
history to win 100 matches. Memorabilia
from the game has been placed on display
in the MLS case at the Hall of Fame.
On display
in the Museum is the sweatshirt Schmid
wore at the match and a game ball signed
by the entire Crew squad. "It is a
great honor to reach 100 wins," Schmid
said. "I am proud of all the good
players and teams I have been privileged
to coach. Having this accomplishment recognized
and displayed at the National Soccer Hall
of Fame is something I will treasure always."
“It’s
a difficult proposition to win 100 matches
in a league with such great parity,” Hall
of Fame President Steve Baumann said. “We
congratulate Sigi on his accomplishment
and wish him many more wins as he tries
to bypass current U.S. National Team coach
Bob Bradley.” Bradley set the MLS
wins record at 124.
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Hall
of Famer John Harkes Featured in Mental_Floss
Magazine
ONEONTA,
NY (May 19, 2008) – Hall of Famer John
Harkes (Class of 2005) is featured as one
of "10 American Sports Heroes You Won’t
Find on a Wheaties Box” in the May-June,
2008 issue of Mental_Floss magazine. Writer
Ethan Trex cited John for convincing Europeans
that Americans can play soccer at the international
level. “…he quickly earned their
respect after smoking a 35-yard game-winning
goal in the last minute of a match…selected…as
England’s goal of the year.” Trex
also said “His feistiness proved to
the British that Americans could excel…and
it paved the way for the influx of Americans
playing in Europe today.” "I am excited that almost twenty
years later that my goal against Derby and
the significance
of it are still important," Hall of Famer
John Harkes said. "I look back and remember
those beginning years in my career fondly.
Several of my 1990 World Cup teammates also
played in Europe, and also created opportunities
for American players. I share this accolade
with them."
“John earned this recognition through
his hard work, dedication, and great play in
England,” Hall
of Fame President Steve Baumann said. “Too
often our soccer heroes have toiled in anonymity.
It’s wonderful to see John’s
modern-day pioneering efforts recognized.”
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Hall
of Famer Gordon Bradley Passes Away
 ONEONTA,
NY (April 30, 2008) – Hall
of Famer Gordon Bradley, Class of 1996, passed
away on April 29 after a long battle with
Alzheimer’s disease. “Soccer has
lost a good friend and a mentor to many,” Hall
of Fame President Steve Baumann said. “His
contributions are a significant part of the
history of the game beginning in the 60s
and carrying through the 90s. His honest
and good-natured relationships with people
both in and outside soccer were a hallmark
of his personality and his career. We extend
our sincere condolences to his wife Vera
and the entire Bradley family.”
Bradley is, perhaps, best remembered
as the coach of the New York Cosmos when
Pele signed with the organization in 1976,
but his contributions to soccer in North
America began in the 60s and continued through
the 90s. Born in Sunderland, England on November
23, 1938, he immigrated to Canada in 1963
to play for Toronto Roma of the Eastern Canada
Professional Soccer League. He continued
playing into the 70s, but also began a coaching
career as an assistant with the New York
Generals in 1968. In 1971 he became the player-coach
of the newly formed New York Cosmos, continuing
with that team into the 1976 season. He finished
his NASL coaching career after three seasons
with the Washington Diplomats. He also appeared
once for the U.S. National Team in 1973 when
he also served as the coach for five matches.
Following his professional
coaching career, Gordon coached at George
Mason University from 1985 through the 2000
season.
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The
Gordon Bradley Memorial Service
to be Held at George Mason
Stadium
The public service is scheduled
for Friday May 9 at 1 p.m.Fairfax,
Va.
(May
1, 2008)--The Gordon Bradley
family has announced that they
will celebrate his life at
a public memorial service at
George Mason Stadium on Friday
May 9 at 1:00 p.m. Seating
will be in the stands at the
stadium on campus where the
U.S. National Hall-of-Famer
Bradley coached for 16 seasons
and remains the most successful
soccer coach in George Mason
history.
Gordon
Bradley, who led the Patriots
to six NCAA Tournament appearances,
died on Tuesday in Manassas.
He was 74 years old. Bradley
suffered from Alzheimer's disease
for several years.
“ George Mason was a special place for Gordon and, our family is truly thankful
that Mason is hosting the celebration of his life,” son Paul Bradley said. “The
16 years he spent there were some of the happiest years of his life not only
because he enjoyed coaching soccer, but because he loved working with students
and teaching the game of life.”
The
Bradley family requests that
memorial donations be made
to The Gordon Bradley Scholarship
Endowment in association with
George Mason University. To
contribute, call (703) 993-3215.
George
Mason University
George Mason Stadium (Corner of Ox Road (123) and University Dr.)
4400 University Dr.
Fairfax, Va. 22030
Parking
will be available in the adjacent
lots to George Mason Stadium
and “Hap” Spuhler
Baseball Field.
For
more information on the service,
please contact Paul Bradley
at (571) 221-7175 or Paul@marqueerealestate.com.
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Hall
of Fame Induction a Top Ten Moment
ONEONTA, NY (April
16, 2008) – The National Soccer Hall
of Fame Induction 2007 was named #9 of the
2007 Top Ten Moments in Women’s Sports
as proclaimed by the Women’s Sports
Foundation (WSF). Excerpts from the induction
of Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy were featured
when the Top Ten were revealed at The Billie
Awards, the Women’s Sports Foundation
Annual Awards program last night.
“We are delighted
to receive this recognition from the Women’s
Sports Foundation,” Hall of Fame President
Steve Baumann said. “Every induction
ceremony is very special for us, but the
first all-female player class was certainly
a moment of historical impact. We are pleased
to be partners with the Women's Sports Foundation
in the support and building of soccer playing
opportunities for girls and women of all
ages. We believe that the example that Julie
and Mia have set will inspire others to follow
in their path. We celebrate, again, the achievements
of Julie and Mia and all the other individuals
honored at The Billie Awards.”
The Billie
Awards, named for WSF founder Billie Jean
King, annually
honor media excellence in the portrayal
of girls and women in sports and physical
activity.
The Awards Dinner and Ceremony were held
last evening at the Beverly Hilton Hotel
in Beverly Hills and included a special
performance by Sir Elton John.
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National
Soccer Hall of Fame Partners with Sports
Museum of America to Create Nation's
First All-Sports Museum
ONEONTA, NY (March
13, 2008) – National Soccer Hall of
Fame President Stephen Baumann announced
a partnership today with the Sports Museum
of America (SmA).
The National
Soccer Hall of Fame now joins over 50 single-sport
Halls of Fame, National Governing Bodies,
Museums and other sports organizations across
North America as a Founding Sports Partner
of the Sports Museum of America (SmA),  www.sportsmuseum.com.
Scheduled to open in New York City in May
2008, SmA is the Nation's first and only
museum to celebrate all sports under one
roof. Filled with original films, state-of-the-art
interactive exhibits/displays and an iconic
collection of memorabilia, SmA will richly
showcase the history, grandeur and significance
of sports in American culture through great
sports' stories of courage, education and
triumph.
According to Baumann,
this exciting new partnership will introduce
a broad new audience to the thrills of soccer. “The
National Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum is
proud to partner with the Sports Museum of
America in furtherance of our dedication
to soccer in America,” Steve Baumann,
Hall of Fame President said. “American
soccer continues to extend its impact as
a contributor to the world's game and, of
course, New York is America’s greatest
international city. It is natural that we
join as museums to further the work to energize
participation, inspire excellence, and celebrate
achievement in the world's most popular sport.
We expect our partnership will introduce
many more individuals and families to the
history and uniqueness of the 'beautiful
game'.”
"The Sports
Museum of America is extremely pleased to
have the National Soccer Hall of Fame join
our more than 50 exclusive sports partner
organizations to create the first comprehensive
museum of sports," says Founder and
CEO Philip Schwalb. "Soccer holds a
special place in American sports culture.
We’re a nation filled with soccer moms,
families and kids. We look forward to sharing
soccer’s tremendous legacy -- from past
stars of American soccer like Billy Gonsalves
and Pele to the newest Hall of Fame Players,
Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy, to the stars of
tomorrow -- with our millions of visitors.
We’re particularly proud to count Hall
of Famers Julie Foudy and Michelle Akers
and soccer legend Claudio Reyna among our
prestigious Honorary Board. We’ll also
excite our fans about the National Soccer
Hall of Fame in Oneonta, New York, and encourage
them to visit there for the ultimate celebration
of soccer."
Under the terms
of the partnership, the National Soccer Hall
of Fame will provide archival soccer materials,
such as the 1973 NASL Championship Trophy,
Michelle Akers Day Proclamation by the State
of Washington and Hall of Famer Alexi Lalas’ New
England Revolution jersey. Other memorabilia
pertaining to the history of soccer and of
interest to the projected one million worldwide
annual visitors to SmA will be sent on a
rotating basis. Likewise, joint promotional
efforts will be undertaken by both partners,
and SmA will make an annual donation to support
the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
In addition to
the artifacts and soccer memorabilia from
the National Soccer Hall of Fame, SmA will
also feature high-profile soccer artifacts
such as Mia Hamm’s World Cup jersey
and the sports bra Brandi Chastain made famous
during the 1999 Women’s World Cup.
SmA is widely
anticipated to be a vibrant new addition
to the redevelopment of Lower Manhattan by
significantly increasing commercial and tourist
activity in the area.
The Sports Museum of
America (SmA) is the nation's first and
only all-sports experience richly showcasing
the history, grandeur and significance
of sports in American culture.
Created in exclusive partnership with over
50 single-sport Halls of Fame, National
Governing Bodies and other sports organizations
across North America, SmA features amazing
state-of-the-art interactive technologies,
dramatic original films and an iconic collection
of sports memorabilia. SmA will also be
home to the legendary Heisman Trophy (and
annual televised presentation) and the
Billie Jean King International Women's
Sports Center, including the first Women's
Sports Hall of Fame. Located in New York
City at 26 Broadway (next to the “Charging
Bull” and footsteps from the Statue
of Liberty Ferry), the Sports Museum of
America will open in May 2008. www.sportsmuseum.com
Contacts:
Jack Huckel 607.432.3351 x209 or jack@soccerhall.org
Rubenstein Communications, Inc. – Public Relations
Alison Hendrie 212.843.8029 or Ahendrie@rubenstein.com
Sports Museum of America (SmA)
Barbara Pflughaupt 212.837.7962 or Barbara@thesportsmuseum.com Back
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The Mission of the National Soccer Hall
of Fame is to Celebrate the History,
Honor the
Heroes,
Inspire the Youth and Preserve the Legacy
of Soccer in the United States.
Located
in Oneonta, NY, the National Soccer Hall
of Fame opened a new 30,000 sq.ft.,
state-of-the-art multimedia museum in
1999 and is open every day of the year
except
Christmas, New Year’s, and Thanksgiving.
The Hall of Fame tells the story of soccer
in America through artifacts, photographs,
video and written narratives. The main VideoWall
portrays some of the greatest moments and
the greatest goals in soccer history as well
as live soccer action from the World Cup,
MLS, and U.S. Soccer matches. The Hall features
an extensive interactive, youth oriented
Kicks Zone, including a kid-sized indoor
field, where visitors have fun kicking, heading
and playing computer trivia stations and
video soccer games. Unique and rare artifacts
on exhibit range from The Dewar Cup, the
oldest team trophy in U.S. Sport, to the
Women’s World Cup won by the USA in
1999, the uniforms of Pele and Mia Hamm’s,
Kristine Lilly’s golden shoes, NASL
championship rings, and MLS championship
trophies. That and so much more are all at
the National Soccer Hall of Fame. In addition
to the interactive Museum, the National Soccer
Hall of Fame’s 61-acre complex boasts
the Kicks Hall of Fame Museum Store,
a research library, four world-class
soccer
fields and
office/meeting facilities.
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