With the World Cup games about to begin in South Africa, we want you to search your memories for stories about the man who made soccer the sport it is today in Verona, George Stiefbold.
At a recent Board of Education meeting, Verona High School Athletic Director Gary Farishian announced that VHS is planning a ceremony in honor of the man everyone called “Steppy” before the first home soccer game on Tuesday, October 5. VHS soccer alumni who played on a state championship soccer team will also be honored at the event, which will begin at 6:45 p.m.
If you played for Coach Stiefbold and want to share your memories, please send them to Farishian at [email protected].
If you are a veteran of a championship team, send Farishian the years you played and graduated, and whether you will be attending the October event.
I played soccer for VHS from 1964-1968. I was on the team during the 1966 championship, and I think my 4th goal won the game in overtime (my kids constantly remind me that the older i get, the faster i was).
My only regret during the 4 years of playing for Steppy was during Gym class. We were playing “touch” football, and Steppy was leading a kickoff runback against my team. The ball carrier was behind Steppy and i knew there was only one way to get to him: Step was coming full tilt (the flying wedge?) so i feinted a block and tucked for a shoulder roll at his ankles, which of course brought him and the ball carrier to the ground (after a somewhat spectacular flight for both), after which the ball carrier was easily “touched” down. Save for a torn and grass stained white shirt, Steppy was none the worse for wear…..
It will be honor to attend this event next week, honoring a great coach and Verona legend. I will bring Patsy, my wife of 33 years.
tp
What a great memory. Just don’t try to recreate that play at Tuesday’s ceremony, OK?