Bob DiGrazia, the long-time men’s coach at the University of California, and Bob Gansler, who led the U.S. Men’s National Team to its first World Cup appearance in 40 years, have been selected as the 48th and 49th members of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s Hall of Fame. The two will be inducted into the Hall at the Association’s Awards Banquet on Friday, Jan. 15, as part of the 2010 NSCAA Convention, to be held in Philadelphia, Pa., Jan. 13-17.

About Bob DiGrazia
The Cal men’s soccer coach from 1953-80, DiGrazia compiled a 202-133-39 record, making him the winningest coacha in Cal soccer history. He led the team to its first two NCAA Tournament appearances (1960 and 1977). A three-time all-conference halfback for the Golden Bears, he became the program’s first All-America as a senior in 1950. He received a bachelor's degree in physical education from Cal in 1950 and became an assistant coach for the Bears in 1952 before taking the helm a year later. He served as the Executive Secretary of the NSCAA for 12 years and received the Association’s Honor Award in 1983. A member of the Cal Hall of Fame, he passed away in December 2006 at age 79.

Wife June DiGrazia (center) and son Tom DiGrazia (right) accept the late Bob DiGrazia's NSCAA Hall of Fame plaque from NSCAA Secretary Jack Huckel.

About Bob Gansler
Gansler played 25 times as a central defender for the U.S. National Team in Pan American, Olympic and World Cup qualifying in the 1960s. A graduate of Marquette University, his coaching history includes work with the club that began his playing career in the United States, the Milwaukee Bavarians, and Marquette University High School. He continued his coaching career at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Rampage of the United Soccer Leagues. Active in U.S. Soccer’s coaching schools, he was an assistant to Men’s National Team Coach Walter Chyzowych in the 1970s and early 80s. He also coached the 1989 U.S. team that advanced to the FIFA U-20 World Cup semifinals and led the U.S. Men’s National Team to its first FIFA World Cup appearance in 40 years, guiding the young team to successful qualification to the FIFA World Cup in 1990. He became coach of the Kansas City Wizards in 1999 and guided them to an MLS Cup championship in 2000. He was the Wizards coach for eight seasons and now is a member of NSCAA Academy’s instructional staff.

Based in Kansas City, Kan., the NSCAA is the largest coaches’ organization in the United States. Since its founding in 1941, it has grown to include more than 30,000 members who coach both genders at all levels of the sport. In addition to a national rankings program for colleges and high schools, NSCAA offers an extensive recognition program that presents nearly 10,000 individual awards every year. It fulfills its mission of coaching education through a nationwide program of clinics and week-long courses, teaching more than 4,000 soccer coaches each year. For more information, visit www.NSCAA.com.

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