Hank Steinbrecher | |
|---|---|
| U.S. Soccer Secretary General | |
| In office 1990–2000 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1947-07-11)July 11, 1947 Rockaway, New York, U.S. |
| Died | March 25, 2025(2025-03-25) (aged 77) Tucson, Arizona, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Davis & Elkins College West Virginia University |
| Occupation | Soccer coach and administrator |
| Known for | General Secretary, US Soccer Federation |
| Awards | National Soccer Hall of Fame |
Hank Steinbrecher (July 11, 1947 – March 25, 2025) was an Americansoccer executive, player and coach, who was a member of theNational Soccer Hall of Fame.
Steinbrecher attendedDavis & Elkins College, where he was a member of the school's 1970 NAIA national championship soccer team. He graduated from Davis & Elkins, then earned a master's degree in education fromWest Virginia University.[1]
He began his coaching career atWarren Wilson College, where he served as head soccer coach and athletic director.[2] He then coached theAppalachian State Mountaineers from 1978 to 1980, leading the team to three consecutiveSouthern Conference championships.[3] He coached atBoston University from 1980 to 1984.[4] From 1985 to 1990, he was the director of sports marketing forQuaker Oats Company, where he helped popularizethe ritual of dumping a cooler ofGatorade on the head football coach in celebration after a victory.[5]
On November 5, 1990, Steinbrecher became the Secretary General of theUnited States Soccer Federation. He took a lead role in marketing the sport and was directly involved in developing U.S. Soccer's sponsorship programs.[6] He also oversaw the staging of the1994 FIFA World Cup, the1996 Summer Olympics Soccer Tournament, and the1999 FIFA Women's World Cup. He stepped down from his position in February 2000.[6]
Steinbrecher was inducted into theNational Soccer Hall of Fame as a builder in 2005.[7] In 2012, he received the Werner Fricker Builder Award, which honors those "who have established a lasting legacy in the history and structure of soccer in the United States."[8]
He was also a member of the New England Soccer Hall of Fame,[4] the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame,[9] and the North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame.[2]
TheHank Steinbrecher Cup is aUSASA competition started in 2013 that crowns the National Amateur Champions.[10]
On March 25, 2025, Steinbrecher died inTucson, Arizona, at the age of 77.[11]