Jerry Yeagley

Jerry Yeagley was born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania on October 1, 1940. His career started with Indiana University in 1963 when he joined the organization as a physical education instructor and soccer coach.

From 1963 to 1973 soccer was played at the club level but since 1973 Indiana University has been among the top twenty college soccer teams in the USA. Yeagley has guided the Indiana University to 28 NCAA Tournaments - including 17 straight seasons (The Hoosiers longest stint away from the National semifinals is just three season - 1985-87). Jerry and the Hoosiers have won six NCAA Division I National Titles (including 12 trips to the National Championship game).

Since the Big Ten was formed in 1991 Indiana has won ten Big Ten Championships under Yeagley.

His overall career record stands at 544-101-45 - and is the NCAA Division I All-Time winningest coach. His accomplishments has resulted in him being awarded National Coach of the Year six times and Big Ten Coach of the Year five times.

In 1987, he received the prestigious Bill Jeffrey Award, then in 1988 he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Athletic Hall of Fame, and capped it all by being inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1989.

Jerry's program at Indiana has launched an enormous number of players into the upper echelons of soccer. Since 1973, a Hoosier has earned first team All-American Honors 27 times, six former Hoosiers were Olympians and more than 60 of his players have gone on to play professionally. He has coached more than 20 National Team players, five Hermann Trophy winners, three Missouri Athletic Club Players of the Year and five World Cup players.

Jerry earned his bachelor's degree from West Chester State in 1961 and joined Indiana as a member of the faculty after earning his master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1963. He and his wife Marilyn reside in Bloomington. His son Todd retired from the Columbus Crew and was a Volunteer Assistant during the 2003 College season. Their daughter Yvette graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Indiana in 1990. The Yeagley's also have a granddaughter, Alexandria.

After 31 seasons as the Indiana University head soccer coach Jerry Yeagley decided to retire  at the end of the  2003 season. Yeagley had the perfect ending to a story book coaching career - winning the 2003 NCAA Division I National Title and being named National Coach of the Year.

Hall of Famer Spotlight is a page dedicated to a randomly selected Hall of Famer each month. This Hall of Famer will be randomly selected by The National Soccer Hall of Fame Staff. This page will give a short biography/story of the selected Hall of Famer to show his/her contribution to the world's most popular sport.

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