January 3 (1923)

Future U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer Robert R. Hermann is born. He will become a leading St. Louis businessman and will influence soccer locally and nationally beginning in the 1960s. He will co-found the National Professional Soccer League, which plays one season in 1967 and then will merge with another league to establish the North American Soccer League. He will own the St. Louis Stars of the NPSL/NASL and will serve on the NASL’s executive committee. St. Louis University will name its soccer stadium in his honor. He will establish the Hermann Trophy in 1967, given annually to the nation’s top collegiate men’s and women’s players. This season’s MAC Hermann Trophy will be awarded on Jan. 6 at the Missouri Athletic Club. Winners of this year’s trophy will be announced at the start of the event.