PROGRESS?
Since the forming of the interim board in January consisting of Al Dawson –
President, Jerry Cirri – Vice President, Bernie McVey – Treasurer and Fran McGrath –
Secretary, there have been two meetings. We have identified a person who can be
our website manager, but it will take some time to get him acclimated. Hopefully by
April, we can get the website at least updated and somewhat functional. It was
decided to put all our energy into getting the 2024 Maryland Soccer Hall of Fame off
the ground and making it very successful. We are working to make it a sellout with 300
attendees. Since we did not collect dues this year and had two years of failed golf
tournaments, our treasury is very low, and we need members to attend the Hall of
Fame and to pay in a timely manner. I will say more about the Hall of Fame later in
this newsletter.
In the next two months, we will also be soliciting candidates for board and
executive positions. We are also thinking of amending our bylaws so these will be one-
year terms instead of three-year terms so individuals can get out in a year if they don’t
like it. However, we would like all members to do some soul searching and consider
stepping up and keeping the organization going for at least a year. After the Hall of
Fame on May 10 th , we will try to have some type of election and get a functioning board
for at least 2025.
We will also promote some social events besides the Hall of Fame that we hope
members will attend, but there is one question I would like to get some feedback on in
the next two months. That question is: Do people in the soccer community of
Maryland think the need for our organization has run its course? When the then
Maryland Old Timers Soccer Organization was formed in 1950, its main goals were:
To preserve the soccer history of Maryland
To recognize individuals for notable contributions to this history
To promote fellowship among members by sponsoring social events like the Hall
of Fame Dinner, membership meetings and others
In this 21 st century of high-tech devices, social media, interface systems and
other items, do people feel a need for an organization that tries to promote the goals
above? It has been proposed that the two Major State Associations; mainly, the
MSSA (adults) and MSYSA (youth) take over the Maryland Soccer Hall of Fame
and make sure it stays in existence and not worry about soccer history and
fellowship aspects?
I am curious what our members have to say? You can send me your
thoughts at mcgrath494@aol.com.
SOCIAL EVENTS
Besides the forty-eighth Maryland Soccer Hall of Fame on Friday May 10, 2024,
we will be having what I call an Old Timers meeting on Friday April 5 th at the Baltimore
Kickers clubhouse located at 4810 Gunter Ave. in Cedonia 21206. The times as 7 PM
to 9 PM and it is designed to be a social for older members of the Legends
organization who still like to meet face to face. However, it is open to all members. I
am sure we will talk a little about the future of the organization but for the most part it
will be very laidback. Some food will be provided, and the bar will be open. If you are
interested in attending, RSVP to Fran McGrath at mcgrath494@aol.com or text at 410-
530-2018.
Another major event this year is the Maryland State Soccer Association
Centennial Gala on August 10 th at the Loyola University of Maryland located in
Baltimore. Yes, the MSSA is celebrating its 100 th year having been founded in 1924.
The gala will be held on the fourth-floor programing room at the Andrew White Student
Union Building on the Loyola main campus. Tickets are $50 per person but the event
is limited to 100 people. If interested, contact Fran McGrath using the same contact
information as above.
ELECTIONS
As I stated earlier in this newsletter, after the Hall of Fame, the interim board will
try and conduct some type of election to establish a functioning Legends Board for at
least 2025. However, it will be useless to do so unless we have some members willing
to step up and keep the organization going. Sure, we will personally ask some people
to serve but any member can get involved if they wish to do so. Please, if you are
willing to serve in some way or just want to talk about it, contact me, Fran McGrath at
410-530-2018 or email at mcgrath494@aol.com
CHARLIE MYERS
The Legends mourn the loss in February of Baltimore soccer great.
Charles “Charlie” Myers. Charlie was a standout youth player growing up in the
Rosedale area where at each level he participated, his teams won championships. He
was an All-County player at Overlea High School leading them to County
championships in 1970, 1971 and 1972. He went on to play at the University of
Baltimore where he was a standout player leading the Super Bees to two Mason Dixon
titles and the 1975 NCAA Division II National Championship. Charlie was most known
on the amateur scene as a member of the powerful Casa Bianco Amateur Club team
who were a dominant force in the 1970’s and 80’s winning numerous MMSL
championships and Rowland and Stewart Cup titles. Charlie played briefly as a
professional, but injuries prevented him from actively pursuing that path. He was
known in the Baltimore Metropolitan area as being a great youth coach and trainer. He
is survived by three daughters from two marriages and his daughter Ashley was an
excellent player herself and was inducted into the Maryland Soccer Hall of Fame in
2022. Charlie himself was inducted in 1996.
2024 MARYLAND SOCCER HALL OF FAME
The highlight of the Maryland soccer year has always been the Maryland Soccer
Hall of Fame and the board and others are working hard this year to make the 2024
HOF one of the best. This year, we will honor three referees, two high school players,
a long-time soccer advocate for the Jamaican Community of Baltimore, two teams and
induct (right now), five more individuals into the Maryland Soccer Hall of Fame. This
year’s honorees and inductees include:
(1) Sharon Gingerich and Balvir Cabrera Garcia – Both have been selected as
Maryland Referees of the Year and both officiate high level games in Maryland
and are national referee candidates.
(2) Steve Horton – The Ray “Granny” Kraft Referee Service Award winner.
is a long-time referee in Maryland and has been the treasurer of the
State Referee Committee for many years.
(3) Danny Nesteruk of Eastern Tech HS – Outstanding midfielder and our Male
Outstanding High School Player
(4) Sabba Haghgoo of McDonogh – Standout forward and our Female Outstanding
High School Player
(5) George Kennedy – Founded the JA Raiders Soccer Program over fifty years ago
and has been an advocate of soccer for the Jamaican American community of
Baltimore for just as long.
(6) Sparrows Point High School women’s soccer program – Seven Maryland State
HS championships in seven years under four coaches.
(7) Essex Community College 1974 Men’s Team – First Essex team to win a NJCAA
national title. Finished season at 14-1-1.
INDUCTEES
(1) Frank Assaro - Great player at Archbishop Curley High School and Towson State
University as well in the MMSL. He also became a terrific amateur coach. His
2005 Baltimore Colts FC team won a national title. Frank is currently an
assistant coach at Calvert Hall.
(2) Pat Healey – Third generation soccer player to be selected to for the
Maryland Soccer Hall of Fame follows grandfather Patrick and father Kevin.
Great player at Calvert Hall and Towson University and for the indoor Baltimore
Blast. He is currently the coach of the Harrisburg Heat of the MASL.
(3) John Kerr Jr. – Midfielder with Montgomery United, Duke University
(Team Captain), Hermann Award 2004, US National Team and multiple
professional clubs including; Portsmouth, Millwall, US National-U17 Team,
Washington Starts, San Diego Sockers, NE Revolution. Head Coach at Duke
University
(4) Chante’ Sandiford – Goalkeeper at Villanova/UCLA, US National U-17 Team,
Guayana National Team (Captain), Washington Freedom, NJ Wildcats, Stjarnan
(Iceland). Grew up in Baltimore.
(5) Craig Callinan – Fullback at Loyola College and three-time captain and
Greyhounds MVP in 1981, 1982 and 1983, three time All-State, twice All-South
and 1983 All-American Selection.
The 2024 Maryland Soccer Hall of Fame is Friday, May 10 th at the Boumi Temple in Rosedale from 7 PM to 11 PM. See the enclosed flyer for ticket details.