Bob Guelker
Encyclopedia
Bob Guelker is a deceased U.S. soccer coach and administrator. He coached 24 years at the collegiate level, winning seven national championships. He also coached the U.S. teams at both the 1971 Pan American Games and the 1972 Summer Olympics
. He was president of the United States Soccer Football Association from 1967 to 1969 and is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame
.
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In 1966, he left SLU and moved to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
to become head soccer coach. He also served as athletic director. In 1972, the NCAA established Division II soccer. Guelker’s team won the first NCAA Division II championship. In 1973, he was selected as the NSCAA Coach of the Year. Guelker won one last championship in 1979. SIUE had returned to Division I competition and took the title 3-2 over Clemson
. When Guelker retired from coaching after the 1985 season, he had compiled a 216-67-21 record with SIUE. At some point, he had also served as the school’s Director of Athletics. In 2005, SIUE inducted Guelker into the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame.
In 1971, Guelker coached the U.S. soccer team at the 1971 Pan American Games
, following that a year later when he coached the U.S. at the 1972 Summer Olympics
. He also coached the U.S. U-19 national team.
The Catholic Youth Council of St. Louis holds an annual “Bob Guelker Soccer Tournament” in his honor. He inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
in 1980 and the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame in 1986 and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s Hall of Fame in 1993.
1972 Summer Olympics
The 1972 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 to September 11, 1972....
. He was president of the United States Soccer Football Association from 1967 to 1969 and is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame
National Soccer Hall of Fame
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
.
Coach
Guelker grew up in St. Louis, attending St. Louis University. He went on to coach soccer at St. Louis Preparatory Seminary. In 1958, he approached SLU regarding establishing a men’s soccer team. The university agreed and Guelker, working on a shoestring budget of $200 played five club (4-1 record) games that season. In 1959, the school took the sport to the intercollegiate level. The move paid off as the Billikens won the 1959 NCAA Division I championship. Guelker continued to coach St. Louis through the 1965 season, taking the team to a 95-10-5 record and winning five championships (1959, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1965). The Billikens also finished runner-ups in 1961. He was inducted into the St. Louis University Hall of Fame in 1979. On September 30, 2009, Guelker was named to SLU's Half-Century TeamSt. Louis University Men's Soccer Half-Century Team
The St. Louis University Men's Soccer Half-Century Team was announced September 30, 2009 by the St. Louis University Department of Athletics in celebration of the first 50 years of soccer at SLU...
.
In 1966, he left SLU and moved to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, commonly abbreviated SIUE, is a four-year coed public university in Edwardsville, Illinois about from St. Louis, Missouri. SIUE was established in 1957 as an extension of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and is the younger of the two largest...
to become head soccer coach. He also served as athletic director. In 1972, the NCAA established Division II soccer. Guelker’s team won the first NCAA Division II championship. In 1973, he was selected as the NSCAA Coach of the Year. Guelker won one last championship in 1979. SIUE had returned to Division I competition and took the title 3-2 over Clemson
Clemson Tigers
The Clemson Tigers are any team that represents Clemson University as a member of the NCAA's Division I or in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference....
. When Guelker retired from coaching after the 1985 season, he had compiled a 216-67-21 record with SIUE. At some point, he had also served as the school’s Director of Athletics. In 2005, SIUE inducted Guelker into the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame.
In 1971, Guelker coached the U.S. soccer team at the 1971 Pan American Games
Football at the 1971 Pan American Games
The sixth edition of the football tournament at the Pan American Games was held in five cities in Colombia: Cali Cartago, Buga, Palmira and Tuluá, from July 31 to August 12, 1971. Twelve teams divided in three groups of four did compete in a round-robin competition, with Mexico defending the title...
, following that a year later when he coached the U.S. at the 1972 Summer Olympics
1972 Summer Olympics
The 1972 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 to September 11, 1972....
. He also coached the U.S. U-19 national team.
Executive
In addition to coaching, Guelker held various executive positions at the local and national levels. In 1946, he became the Executive Secretary for the Catholic Youth Council, Archdiocese of St. Louis, a position he held until 1969. . He was the president of the United States Soccer Football Association from 1967 to 1969. He was also the Chair of the National Junior Cup Competition Committee, USSF Olympic Development Committee, Missouri Soccer Federation, and Missouri Senior Soccer Association.The Catholic Youth Council of St. Louis holds an annual “Bob Guelker Soccer Tournament” in his honor. He inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
National Soccer Hall of Fame
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
in 1980 and the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame in 1986 and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s Hall of Fame in 1993.