Wisconsin Soccer Central

The Wisconsin Soccer Hall of Fame announced more details about its organization, outlining some of the reasons behind its formation and its future plans in a letter requesting nominations for its inaugural 2014 induction class.

The group, which was formed in August, is "independent and autonomous from any soccer body in Wisconsin," and its sole function is to oversee the Hall of Fame.

However, it does have the "full support, approval and collaboration" of the recognized state governing bodies for adult soccer (Wisconsin Soccer Leagues), youth soccer (Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association), coaches (Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association) and referees (Wisconsin Soccer Referee Development Program).

There are eight members on the Wisconsin Soccer Hall of Fame committee – all of them were elected to the Wisconsin Soccer Association Hall of Fame and served on that group's Hall of Fame committee, but resigned to join the new organization.

"We had grown increasingly concerned about the WSA Hall of Fame’s integrity, legitimacy and ability to sustain itself due to the fact it is part of the WSA," the letter states.

The decisions by the U.S. Soccer Federation in 2012 to remove the WSA as the governing body for adult soccer in Wisconsin and install WSL in that role was a major factor in the formation of the new Hall of Fame.

"We feel this situation has led to a severely broken relationship between the WSA (and the WSA Hall of Fame) and the organizations that oversee youth, adult, coaches and referees. That and other issues led us to our decision. We believe many other leaders involved in the Wisconsin soccer community share this concern," the group wrote.

David Hodgson is the interim chairman of the Wisconsin Soccer Hall of Fame, and the other committee members are Mark LaPorte, Emmerich Strigens, Paul Smith, Tim Alioto, Mike Cox, Ljubisa Vasilic and Tony Ansems.

The first induction ceremony for the new Hall is scheduled for March 8, 2014, to be held in conjunction with the WSL and WYSA annual general meetings at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. 

All inductees from the WSA Hall of Fame, which started in 1977 and held its 31st induction ceremony last April, and the five-year-old WSCA Hall of Fame will be included in the Wisconsin Soccer Hall of Fame.

Nominations are being accepted for the new Hall (pdf form) in five categories: Players, Coaches, Referees, Administrators and Overall. Here are the guidelines and parameters the committee will consider for each category:

Players: To be considered in this category, players must have gained prominence in Wisconsin soccer or in a professional and/or national capacity. Players who went on to serve as referees, coaches and/or administrators may receive priority consideration. Active players will not be considered. (Note: Participation in Old-Timers or other recreational play does not constitute active play). 

Coaches: Consideration for induction may be given to coaches who have coached on any level for a considerable period of time. Candidates most likely to be selected are apt to have served on a Wisconsin, regional and/or national level. High school and/or college coaches may receive consideration provided that their services have been benefited the Wisconsin soccer community. Coaches who also played, served as a referee and/or served in an administrative role may receive priority consideration. Coaches who are still active may be considered. 

Referees: Referees must have a significant service record on a state, regional or national level. Referees who also played, coached or served in an administrative role may receive priority consideration. Referees who are still active will not be considered in the referee category; however, they may be candidates in other categories.

Administrators: Individuals with significant, long-term contributions in an administrative capacity will be considered for this category. Administrators who also played, served as a referee or coached may receive priority consideration. Administrators who are still active may be considered.

Overall: This category is intended to recognize individuals who have contributed to Wisconsin soccer in roles not outlined in the above categories or in a combination of the categories summarized above. Contributions may include a wide variety of soccer functions.