INDIANAHISTORY

HISTORY OF HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER IN INDIANA

It is a disputable topic, what counts and what doesn't? To anyone who played the game prior to the IHSAA sanctioning soccer, it is clear, it all counts. In a time where the IHSAA didn't want to recognize soccer, there were many people who helped shape the game in our state.

The 1963 Argos, Bethany Christian and the Culver Academy boy's teams were the first programs in the state of Indiana. (Source Culver Academy) The level of soccer in this state has continually risen through the years. We have seen players go on to become great in college and even a few professionals. Players of the past though have turned to coaching and we find some of those influential people still involved at the younger age-groups in youth soccer clubs all over the state and too many to mention.

It can be shown that this sport was state-wide, even in the early days. South Bend to Ft. Wayne, Indy to Evansville many communities shared in the growth of the sport. Argos is the first recognized boy's state champion (1973) and Carmel won the first recognized girl's state championship (1984).

There were Northern Indiana Cups, Southern Indiana Cups and one state-wide cup for all teams in the fall each year. It is easy to understand why the IHSAA has a hard time recognizing any of these previous champions. At the same time we have to understand that these teams and events helped shape what soccer has become in our state. High school play hasn't been the only benefactor, but club soccer and college as well.

"There are a lot of things that we had pre-IHSAA that were good for soccer in Indiana," said Bill Vieth Jr. who has been at Evansville Memorial as head coach since 1984. Bill Vieth Sr. was the coach four years before when Memorial won their second state championship. Memorial owns 10 titles more than any other program and all coming before the IHSAA sanctioned soccer.

"It is something to be proud of. Playing when people really didn't consider it a sport and now it has exploded makes you feel good, like you were apart of something," said Dave Beck, retiring coach at Pendleton Heights. Beck played at Bishop Chatard from 1978-82 then going onto playing at St. Joseph's college where it was a club sport.

People should feel good about the direction of the sport in our state. While many feel the IHSAA is a detriment to soccer, I think a large concensus feels other entities of soccer such as club have us going in the right direction.

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INDIANA SOCCER HISTORY

BOYS ALL-TIME RECORDSGIRLS ALL-TIME RECORDS

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We are doing an extensive background search on soccer in Indiana. We are looking for clubs, high school and college historical information to complete our summary and findings. If you cn supply historical information for any of the above entities, please contact us. Please be able to provide dates, specific details as they relate to your information.

We are currently collecting high school statistics that will provide a record book for the state of Indiana.

The following categories are being collected:

~PLEASE INCLUDE THE YEAR(S) FOR EACH CATEGORY

~Please include any records you have. We will be compiling a top 25 for each category.

TEAM RECORDS:

TEAM GOALS (SEASON)

TEAM GOALS AGAINST AVE. (SEASON)

TEAM SHUTOUTS (SEASON)

TEAM VICTORIES (SEASON)

TEAM VICTORIES (OVERALL)

TEAM GOAL DIFFERENTIAL (SEASON)

CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITHOUT A LOSS (OVERALL)

TEAM CONSECUTIVE WINS (OVERALL)

TEAM WINNING PERCENTAGE (OVERALL)

INDIVIDUAL PLAYER RECORDS:

SEASON GOALS

CAREER GOALS

SEASON ASSISTS

CAREER ASSISTS

SEASON SHUTOUTS

CAREER SHUTOUTS

INDIVIDUAL GOALS AGAINST AVERAGE (SEASON)

INDIVIDUAL GOALS AGAINST AVERAGE (CAREER)

COACHING RECORDS:

INDIVIDUAL VICTORIES (OVERALL)

INDIVIDUAL MOST YEARS COACHING

INDIVIDUAL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS WON

INDIVIDUAL WINNING PERCENTAGE

CAREER GAMES COACHED