2025 Levittown School District Hall of Fame Inductees
Hank Steinbrecher
Alumni Award
Division Ave. High School, 1965Hank Steinbrecher, born in 1947 and raised in Levittown, New York, is a highly respected figure in American soccer. He played during the early 1960s before the establishment of the Long Island Junior Soccer League and later competed at Davis & Elkins College, where he was part of the 1970 NAIA national championship team. He went on to earn a master's degree in education from West Virginia University.
Steinbrecher began his coaching career at Warren Wilson College before moving on to Appalachian State University and Boston University. He later transitioned to sports administration, serving as director of sports marketing for Quaker Oats before becoming Secretary General of the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) in 1990.
As head of USSF, he played a key role in the success of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 1996 Olympic Soccer Tournament, and the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup, helping to elevate soccer's popularity in the U.S. His contributions earned him induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005 and the prestigious Werner Fricker Builder Award in 2012.
Hank Steinbrecher's influence on American soccer is both profound and enduring. Through his leadership, vision, and relentless dedication, he helped shape the sport's growth in the United States, leaving an indelible mark on its history. His efforts in expanding the game's reach from grassroots development to the global stage have inspired generations of players, coaches, and administrators. A true pioneer and passionate advocate for the sport, Hank Steinbrecher's legacy is one of transformation and progress, ensuring that soccer continues to thrive as a vital part of American sports culture.