Nebraska State Soccer is proud to announce our 2019 Hall of Fame Inductees.
John Kappert, Founder
John Kappert started one of the first teams in South Omaha which later turned into United Soccer Club. He coached soccer at Bryan High School and was the first president of the Eastern Nebraska Soccer Association (ENSA).
Eric McMasters, Lifetime Achievement- Coach
Eric is most known for founding Capital Soccer Association (CSA) and serving as president from 1980 to 1985, as well as a staff coach of Nebraska Olympic Development Program in the 1980’s. Eric was also a major influence to move Lincoln Public Schools to recognize soccer as a varsity sport as well as state sanctioning by the Nebraska School Activities Association.
R.K. Piper- Lifetime Achievement- Player
R.K. was one of the first players of organized youth soccer in Omaha under the coaching of John Pestal. He played for Westside High School, winning the State Championship in 1971. R.K. started UNO’s club soccer team and played keeper from 1974 to 1978. He continued, after playing, to be involved with the Nebraska State Soccer board and Omaha Men’s Soccer League.
Bob Schropp, Founder
Bob Schropp is most known for being the head coach of one of the four teams in the first organized youth soccer league in Omaha. He continued to be involved in the game and later he founded the Husker-Raiders Soccer Club.
Bob Wright, Sr.- Lifetime Achievement- Referee
Reginald (Bob) Wright, Sr was the first SRA in Nebraska State Soccer appointed by John Hilske. For many of those years he was the only referee instructor in the state, leading him to recruit, develop and mentor an uncountable number of referees during that time that helped greatly grow the referee pool in Nebraska.
Our Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place during our 2019 Celebration Dinner on November 9th at the Creighton University Harper Center Ballroom. Tickets are available for purchase at https://2019nsscelebration.eventbrite.com.
The Nebraska State Soccer Hall of Fame was created and inducted its first class in 2017. Nominations come from both the general public and our Hall of Fame Committee. We take great pride in recognizing the individuals who worked year’s ago to help grow our sport into what it is today. We welcome and encourage our current members to come and celebrate those who came before you, hear their stories and spend an evening with other people who love ‘The Beautiful Game.’