Name Walter Giesler Role Soccer player | Died July 7, 1976 | |
Walter John Giesler (September 6, 1910 – July 7, 1976) was an American soccer player, administrator, and coach.
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Early life and career
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Giesler would become a towering figure on the Midwestern sports landscape. After playing at McBride High School, he would compete in several amateur and professional leagues, including the Ben Millers in the St. Louis Soccer League.
U.S. Soccer
Following his playing days, he became an administrator and referee, and owned a sporting goods business in St. Louis. Giesler was the second vice-president of the United States Soccer Football Association, serving from 1945 to 1948. He was then elected president and served in that capacity from 1948 until 1949. Giesler coached the United States men's national soccer team during the 1948 Olympic Games in London and the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Giesler was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1962 and the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame in 1971.
He died in Philadelphia on July 5, 1976 during the induction of the United States 1950 World Cup soccer team into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame.