The Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association will induct its third Hall of Fame class tonight in a ceremony at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, with college coaches taking center stage.
Aldo Santaga, Toby Bares, Rick Kilps, Harry Keldermanand Alex Toth, Sr. will bring the total number of WSCA Hall of Famers to 13. The event starts at 6 p.m.
Santaga was the UW-Green Bay men's coach for 14 seasons, compiling a 148-102-21 record. He led the Phoenix to an NCAA Division II berth in 1978 and the program's first Division I tournament appearance in 1983.
Bares is one of the winningest coaches in Division III men's history, retiring last spring with a 344-99-38 record in 26 seasons. He started the Titans' program in 1984 and took Oshkosh to the NCAA tournament 11 times, including three Final Four berths. Bares' only losing season was the program's first year (6-7-0).
Kilps also has had just one losing season in his 33-year coaching career, which includes the past 27 years at Division II UW-Parkside – that coming last fall. The Rangers are 363-135-40 in his tenure, and Kilps has coached 85 NSCAA all-region players and 41 All-Americans.
Kelderman, a native of The Netherlands, has been instrumental in growing the game in the Fox Valley. He was the first men's coach at Division III Lawrence (1974 to '80) and is a longtime youth coach and director, but is best known for his success as the Neenah High School boys coach. Kelderman has led the Rockets to three WIAA state titles (1985, '86 and 2007), two runner-up finishes (1983 and '91) and a record 14 state appearances in his 30 years.
Toth is the first WSCA Hall of Fame memorial inductee. He's a longtime club coach in the Milwaukee area, having worked with the Hungarian Tigers and then with the Croatian Eagles.
Santaga, Kilps, Kelderman and Toth also are members of the Wisconsin Soccer Association Hall of Fame.
Tag(s): Coaches' Corner