Former soccer coach, Jerry Yeagley, will be inducted into IU Hall of Fame

Thirty-six years ago, a legend was born.

Jerry Yeagley was just another coach in a sport that kids in Indiana could hardly find equipment for in stores.

In 1973, IU men’s soccer was in its infancy. Yeagley came from a tiny Pennsylvania town to basketball country to nurture and raise a game few embraced.   

Now, with six national championships, 16 College Cup appearances and the NCAA record for wins under his belt, Yeagley is one of seven inductees who will be inducted into the IU Hall of Fame Class of 2009 on Nov. 6.

“This is one of the greatest honors anyone can receive,” Yeagley said. “I am deeply honored. I have had a lot of good things come my way. I had one job for 41 years, and for me, it was the best possible job I could have. It was my dream job that turned into my passion.”

Yeagley’s job was hardly a dream starting out.

The then-physical education teacher took on a soccer program that, because of its club status, received no money from the school.

Team promotions, travel and other expenses came from Yeagley’s bank account for 10 years until IU men’s soccer was finally able to earn varsity status.

“I have always been very much involved,” he said. “I felt it was my responsibility for me to help develop the game as it is today.”

Yeagley’s work is tangible for anyone who visits Bill Armstrong Stadium to see the Hoosiers play. Displayed on the hill under the stadium’s scoreboard are seven national championship banners.

Signs exhibiting conference titles, All-Americans and other program accomplishments, surround the field’s perimeter as a constant reminder of IU’s rich history.  

IU honored Yeagley by dedicating the pitch in his name in 2004, the fall after Yeagley’s retirement and final national championship.

“You’ve got to look at (how) the program was started in ’73 by coach Yeagley, and the ‘Yeagley Way’ has hopefully been there since day one,” IU men’s soccer coach Mike
Freitag said. “The best course I took at IU was Yeagley 101. I studied the man when I was a player and an assistant coach, and I’m hoping I’m doing him proud the way we go about business today – that we’re doing things the same right way he did.”

Freitag played for Yeagley from 1976-79 and coached for Yeagley as head assistant for 11 years. Freitag was part of four of Yeagley’s six titles.

Former players and coaching staff members have said Yeagley’s fame comes from the lives he touched during his time at IU.

“There is so much good about coach,” Freitag said. “His people skills are second to none. If he was a politician, he could probably be President of the United States. He can read people, and he can get people to play to their best.”

Yeagley not only encouraged players to perform their best, but coach their best as well.

Along with Freitag and IU assistant coaches Phil Presser and Aleksey Korol, other notable Yeagley coaching disciples include Akron men’s soccer coach Caleb Porter, John Trask of the University of Illinois-Chicago and Yeagley’s son, Todd, who is Wisconsin’s men’s soccer coach.

Akron, IU and UIC are all ranked among the top-25 soccer programs in the country.

“He is the only guy in the country that if you say ‘coach,’ people know who you are talking about,” Korol said. “And there are a million of them.”

Despite his success, Yeagley doesn’t believe the hype.

“I don’t think of myself as a legend or immortalized,” Yeagley said. “I am very fortunate for the opportunity I had. The University gave me all I needed to succeed. I get all of the honors, but there are so many who share them.”

Yeagley’s coaching career was inspired by former Myerstown High School coach and lifelong hero Barney Hoffman and former Westchester men’s soccer coach Mel Lorback.

Yeagley is also the only person ever to play for a high school championship team, an NCAA championship squad and coach an NCAA championship winner.

Yeagley, whose lifetime record with the Hoosiers stands at 544-101-45, will officially be inducted with IU icons Steve Downing, Bob Knight, Katrin Koch, Joe Norman, Mike Rabold and Alan Somers.  

Yeagley was also inducted into the National Soccer Coaches Association of America in 1989.

More than individual awards, Yeagley said the most important part of his career is the program itself and what it means to him having helped raise IU soccer to the status it has today.

For 36 years, Yeagley has a near perfect attendance to Hoosier soccer games.  

“To be considered as coach by so many is very rewarding,” Yeagley said. “I’ve been branded by Indiana, and IU is my baby. The juices still flow, and I am more nervous in the stands today than I ever was as a coach. I am the No. 1 fan. I still feel like I am a part of something special.”