Dr . Thomas Fleck
Dr . Thomas Fleck , who passed away in 2011 , will be honored posthumously . He was an NSCAA All-America player at West Chester University ( Pa .) in 1957 , became a candidate for 1960 U . S . Olympic team and played professionally for a short time for Philadelphia of the ASL . Fleck earned his Ph . D . from Lehigh University where he coached men ’ s soccer from 1969-1977 . He then became the Eastern Pennsylvania Director of Coaching in 1978 and served as the first United States Youth Soccer coaching education coordinator in 1978 . Fleck was the General Manager of the Philadelphia Fury in the North American Soccer League from 1979 to 1983 .
He also served on the Board of Directors of United Soccer Coaches ( formerly the NSCAA ) culminating with a two-year term as President ( 1984- 85 ). During his term as President , the association established its National Coaching Academy Program and youth soccer coaching membership grew exponentially . Fleck later served as Director of Coaching for state youth soccer organizations in both Florida and Idaho . He was the author of the first Official USYSA Coaching Manual and named their first recipient of the Excellence in Coaching Award now named in his honor . He was the recipient of the United Soccer Coaches Honor Award in 2004 and the first recipient of the Charlotte Moran Youth Long-Term Service Award in 1996 . Fleck was honored with the Walt Chyzowych Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004 and was inducted in the West Chester University Hall of Fame in 2005 .
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