|
|
 |
GOLDEN EAGLE SPORTS HOTLINE 585.395.5168 |
|
|
1974 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM
In the early 1970s at Brockport, men’s soccer was the sport that everyone paid attention to. Brockport was one of the top teams in the country. The program had been built by the legendary Huntley Parker, who coached from 1946 until retiring in 1970. Bill Hughes, a former player for Parker, took over the program from his mentor and kept the tradition alive. Brockport would draw thousands to games, including one memorable night contest with Buffalo State when portable lights were brought and the crowd was estimated at 8,000. Of course, as was the case throughout the era, Brockport won the game. Brockport always won.
In the fall of 1974, Hughes took a sabbatical and Walt Kopczuk took over and led Brockport on a glorious ride. That season 25 years ago was a special one in Brockport’s history. As the season rolled on, Brockport piled up several bigs wins, topping Cornell, Buffalo, Geneseo, New Paltz, Fredonia, Oswego, Buffalo State, and RPI. Heading into the NCAA Tournament, Brockport was 8-2-2. Three wins later, over Binghamton, which had handed Brockport one of its two losses, Trenton State, and Westfield—by a combined score of 10-2—Brockport was in its first NCAA Championship game, against Swarthmore. The Golden Eagles went down 1-0, but roared back for a 3-1 victory and the national championship. It was the second national championship for the soccer team, but the first won on the field. The 1955 team shared the title in the final poll of the year with Penn State.
The glorious 1974 season was 25 years ago. Here is the entire roster…
| Coach Walt Kopczuk |
| Players: |
Jack Barton
John Boyce
Lynn Briggs
Tim Callahan
Gerard Cunningham
Nelson Cupello
Marcello Curi
|
Kevin Gannon
Robert Garcia (deceased)
Walter Kempka
Rhett King
Steve Klaasen
Jaime Kong
Steve Leverich
Andre Maca
|
Robert McLean
Richard Meyers
Ed Paez
Ed Pagani
Craig Reynolds
Jeff Stutzel
Steve Vislocky
|
Thanks for the memories!
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
