USL News Release
Monday, January 2, 2012
TAMPA, Fla. -- USL is saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Tom Fleck, a former Youth Coordinator of the U.S. Soccer Federation who passed away on Christmas Eve at the age of 74 years old.
A 1958 graduate of West Chester University, where he was named an All-American, Fleck was one of the original National Staff Coaches for U.S. Soccer and served as an instructor for 30 years. A former General Secretary of U.S. Youth Soccer, the organization named its award for Excellence in Youth Coaching Education after Fleck, who was also its inaugural recipient in 2005.
Fleck was active in coaching for more than 40 years, serving as the President of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America from 1984-85. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the NSCAA Academies, a division of the organization that emphasized soccer coaching education.
Fleck also represented the U.S. Soccer Federation as the technical advisor for the 1980 World Youth Championship held in Tunisia, the predecessor to the current FIFA U-20 World Cup, and fulfilled the same role during the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
In addition to having an award named for him by the USYA, Fleck also received a number of honors during his career. In 1986 he received the NSCAA Letter of Commendation, while in 2002 was one of the torchbearers prior to the Winter Olympics held in Salt Lake City.
A memorial service for Fleck will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2012 in St. Petersburg, Fla.