'01 National Soccer Hall of Fame Member Bob Hermann Passes Away

National Soccer Hall of Fame member, Robert “Bob” Hermann has passed away at the age of 97.

Hermann, along with William D. Cox, started the National Professional Soccer League in 1996, which would eventually merge with the United Soccer Association to form the North American Soccer League. He co-owned the St. Louis Stars during the NPSL and NASL eras, which transformed into the California Surf in 1977.

The MAC Hermann Trophy, the award given to the best male and female soccer players in the country, is named after him.

Hermann was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2001 for his philanthropy efforts and impact on the game of soccer in America.