NSCAA Honor Award Winner watching son Todd lead the Hoosiers

There is no tradition in the sport of collegiate soccer like Indiana’s, and there are a handful of head coaches that can rival the success that Jerry Yeagley had in his 31 years at the helm of the Hoosiers. Yeagley’s career came to a fitting and magical end in 2003 as his Hoosiers went unbeaten over its final 18 games and won the 2003 NCAA Championship. The title was the sixth for the program under Yeagley, who would finish his career with an astounding 544 wins.

It should come as no surprise that six years prior to Yeagley’s retirement, he was already bestowed with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s Honor Award, the NSCAA’s highest tribute.

“Leading the Hoosiers for so many years while also being an NSCAA member was truly the perfect combination,” Yeagley said from his Bloomington home.  “I can tell you that every year I learned more from my experience with the NSCAA, and every year I would incorporate something I learned from the NSCAA and its members into my training and preparation for the next season.

"Knowing how much the NSCAA has meant to me and my career, I am thrilled that the 2013 NSCAA Convention is coming to Indianapolis in January," he added.

"Obviously, I extend an invitation to every single member of the NSCAA to attend – the Convention is always the place to be to learn and grow in the game of soccer at any level. And, I also encourage coaches from all levels to become an NSCAA member and experience the Convention for the first time in Indianapolis.  We promise some wonderful Hoosier hospitality.”

Now, the ‘Godfather’ as he is known around the inner soccer circles, considers it an honor to watch his son, Todd, a four-time All-American and National Player of the Year at Indiana, serve as the head coach of the Hoosiers.

“Of course I am proud of him,” Yeagley said. “And, to be fair, he is so much better than I ever was. Todd was a great player who also had professional playing success. He brings that experience to the bench as well as the knowledge of the IU tradition. 

“I will say, though, I am much more nervous than I ever was sitting on the bench.”

Todd agrees with his father on the nerves, but differs on the comparison.

“I have learned so much from my father and feel fortunate to have the opportunity to lead the IU Soccer program as we continue to build upon our tradition of excellence,” said Todd.

And the book on Jerry Yeagley doesn’t lie.

You see, up until the 2004 season, Yeagley had been the only soccer coach Indiana has known. Yeagley built the Indiana program from the ground floor up. Soccer began as a club sport in 1963 at Indiana, and 10 years later was awarded varsity status. In Yeagley’s 31 years, the program flourished like no other soccer program in the country.

Yeagley’s accomplishments were recognized by the Indiana Athletic Department following the 2003 season as the field at Armstrong Stadium was given the title Jerry Yeagley Field.

One of the honors most special to Yeagley was given to him in 2008 when he was voted head coach of the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer 50th Anniversary Team.

Yeagley led the Hoosiers to 16 trips to the College Cup, including 12 championship game appearances. Since soccer earned varsity status on the Bloomington campus in 1973 until Yeagley’s retirement in 2003, no team won more NCAA Championships or appeared in more College Cups than Indiana.

His accomplishments, both personally and for his program, were recognized by his peers as he has won NSCAA National Coach of the Year honors an unprecedented six times (1976, 1980, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2003). He was named Big Ten Coach of the Year an unmatched eight times (1993, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003).

In 1989, he earned the highest honor a college coach can receive as he was inducted into the United States Soccer Federation Hall of Fame. Two years prior in 1987, he received the prestigious Bill Jeffrey Award given for his unique contributions to intercollegiate soccer. One year later, in 1988, he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Athletics Hall of Fame in Carlisle, Pa.  In 1997, Yeagley received the aforementioned NSCAA Honor Award. In 2009 he was inducted into the Indiana University Athletics Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Myerstown High School Hall of Fame, Monroe County Soccer Hall of Fame, West Chester University Athletics Hall of Fame, Indiana Soccer Hall of Fame and the NSCAA Hall of Fame.

Yeagley and his wife, Marilyn, will most likely always reside in Bloomington. Todd, his wife Suzie, and their three boys live in the house he grew up in – the Godfather’s house.  And, daughter Yvette, who graduated with honors from Indiana University’s School of Law and earned her bachelor’s degree from Indiana, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1990, also lives nearby.  She has two children, giving the Yeagleys five grandchildren.

We could write more, but the story of the ‘Godfather’ may never end. In the meantime, here is a look at a Jerry Yeagley training session that has been passed on to Todd.

You can also find out more about the 2013 NSCAA Convention and all it has to offer at NSCAA.com/convention.

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