St. Louis Lions News release -- www.stllions.com
Monday, April 9, 2012
ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2012 and “The Pocket Rocket” Tony Glavin, current head coach of the PDL's St. Louis Lions, will be among those inducted on September 27th at the annual St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame Banquet.
“I am honored to be recognized,” said Glavin. “Soccer has such a rich heritage in St Louis and the Hall of Fame is a great organization that keeps reminding us how important soccer is to St Louis and the influence we have all had on soccer in the United States.”
Glavin began his professional playing career with Queen’s Park, the oldest club in Scotland, in 1976 to 1978. At the conclusion of the ‘78 season Glavin moved to the U.S. to pursue a career with the Philadelphia Fury of the NASL.
The Fury was owned by the likes of Paul Simon, Peter Frampton and Rick Wakeman. Glavin played alongside world greats Johnny Giles, Alan Ball, Peter Osgood and Frank Worthington. In three seasons with Philadelphia, Glavin appeared in 66 games and scored 13 goals.
In the offseason of his first NASL season Glavin returned to Scotland for a loan spell with Hamilton Academical of the Scottish First Division, playing in 14 games and scoring five goals as a midfielder.
“I moved to St Louis in 1980 for five months to play for the St. Louis Steamers and I have been here ever since. I love it, it is now my home. I didn’t know too much about the indoor game or St. Louis at the time, but I wanted to keep playing throughout the offseason.” said Glavin “After three months in St. Louis the Steamers offered me a long-term contract and I jumped at the opportunity to stay in St. Louis.”
In 1980 the St. Louis Steamers and the MISL took to St. Louis like rock stars. The Steamers were packing the Old Arena with record crowds of 18,000 plus to catch the likes of Glavin, Slobo Illijevski, Ty Keough, Steve Pecher, Don Ebert, Sam Bick, Carl Rose, Daryl Doran and many more.
Glavin scored 157 goals in 150 appearances with the Steamers from 1980 to 1985. He was a three-time MISL All-Star, the 1982 MISL League MVP and the third MVP in the 1981 MISL All-Star Game.
“The talent we had was great, every night the place was packed and it was an electric atmosphere," Glavin said. "The fans were so passionate. It was such a fun time. There are some great memories.”
Between 1985 and 1988 Glavin served as an Assistant Coach and Head Coach for the St. Louis Steamers. At the end of the 1988 season, Glavin was hired by the Kansas City Comets to serve as a Player/Coach where he appeared in 29 games. Glavin later went on to coach the Dayton Dynamo of the NPSL in 1990-91 season.
Glavin enjoyed a stellar professional career and had so much more to contribute in the game, so he started his own local youth club in St. Louis. In 1994 the Tony Glavin Soccer Club was founded in Cottleville, Mo. in St. Charles County.
“I love the game and I want to pass on my knowledge and coaching is the best outlet to do that," Glavin said. "I really want to grow the game of soccer in St Louis and I would like to help players reach their potential in the game. I want to help more players get to the professional level.”
In 2006, Glavin saw a need for another level of soccer in St Louis and he founded the St. Louis Lions. The Lions are the highest-level amateur team in St. Louis, playing in the PDL. The team is comprised of college players between the ages of 18 and 23.
“We put the player in a professional environment and provide them the training and knowledge to assist them in getting the opportunities to go to the professional level," Glavin said. "We will help them find the right contacts and help them prepare for professional combines and drafts.”
Since 2006 Glavin has helped more than 14 players get to a professional level of soccer including several in the MLS. Along with developing professional players, Glavin has helped more than 20 former players start their college coaching careers. Many of his former players are also coaching at youth clubs in the St. Louis area as well as elsewhere around the country.
“Soccer has been a large part of my life and St. Louis has been my home for more than 31 years," Glavin said. "It is a great honor to be recognized for your career and for what you have done in the St Louis community. I would really to thank the St Louis Soccer Hall of Fame for this honor and for continuing to promote the game of soccer. I look forward to being inducted with the 2012 Class.”
The St Louis Soccer Hall of Fame will hold the annual Hall of Fame Mass on June 14th at and the Induction Ceremony will be on September 27th. Joining Glavin in the 2012 Induction Class are Scott Bettlach, Gary Gaurino, Maureen McVey, Jim Niehoff, Lou Pessoni, Bruce Rudroff, Rich Stockmann, Matt Weiss, Steve Westbrook and the late John Casey. Bob Hermann will be inducted for his long service to the game.
Others to be honored are John and Pete Traina (Msgr. Jimmy Johnston Award), Dave Lange (Bob Burnes Benchwarmer Award) and Visitation's Dick Westbrook (Jimmy Dunn High School Coach of the Year). The inaugural Msgr. Meyer Team Award will go to St. Louis University's 1959 NCAA championship squad. (Joe Lyons).