June 26 (1923)

Future U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer Bob Guelker is born. As far as is known, Guelker never plays competitive soccer. Nevertheless, he will influence the sport profoundly in St. Louis and at the national and international levels. Locally, he will help oversee the explosive growth of youth soccer in St. Louis as executive secretary of the Catholic Youth Council from 1946-1969. The St. Louis CYC will grow to be the largest soccer organization in the United States by 1966 with 447 teams. Guelker also will help organize annual international visits by global powerhouses such as Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United to play teams of St. Louis CYC all-stars. Nationally, he will start men’s soccer programs at St. Louis University and Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. He will coach the Billikens to five NCAA titles and the Cougars to two. Guelker’s teams will have a combined record of 311-77-26. His total of seven NCAA men’s soccer titles will be more than any other men’s soccer coach in NCAA history. Internationally, he will become president of the U.S. Soccer Football Association (today’s U.S. Soccer Federation) in 1967 and will be head coach of the U.S. Pan Am team. He will be head coach of the U.S. Olympic Team that will qualify for the 1972 Games. His many accomplishments will lead to Guelker’s induction into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame in 1980.