50 Years of Soccer: 'Honorable Mentions' From 1967-1992

Leatherneck athletics takes a look back at the program's 'Honorable Mentions' from the first 25 seasons.

MACOMB, Ill. — In celebration of the upcoming 50th anniversary celebration of the Western Illinois men's soccer program on Oct. 6-7, and the anticipated announcement of the second 25-year team, the Leatherneck Athletics Department looks back on the former student athletes and their accomplishments from 1967-1992.

First, Western Illinois will recognize the 'Honorable Mentions' from the first 25 seasons of men's soccer that was voted on Sept. 20, 1991, which includes 38 former letterwinners who played for the program in the span of 1967-1992.

During that span, these athletes were led by Western Illinois and Athletics Hall of Fame member John MacKenzie, who served as the head coach (1968-1996). He led the Leathernecks to a pair of NCAA Division II Tournament berths from 1971-79. He was also named the NSCAA's Midwest Region Coach of the Year in 1986 and 1988, and would later cap off his illustrious WIU career by being named the Mid-Continent Conference and NSCAA Midwest Region Coach of the Year in 1995, a year in which he was also the recipient of the Bill Jeffrey Award for soccer excellence.

In 1983, the program made the jump to Division I. The Leathernecks combined for four runner-up league finishes from 1984-1987 and 48 total wins in that span.

The first 25 seasons also saw multiple program records that still rank within the 'Top-3' today. This includes single-game records in points: (Second All-Time-26 vs. Chicago State, 1987 and Third All-Time-22 vs. Harris-Stowe: 1986), goals: (Program Record Holder-15 vs. Calumet, 1972 and Second All-Time-9 vs. Chicago State: 1987), assists: (Third All-Time-8 vs. Chicago State, 1987) and shots on goal: (Program Record Holder-26 at Valparaiso, 1991 and Second All-Time-25 at Missouri State: 1984).

The Leathernecks also have various single-season program records in points per game: (7.89, 1987), goals per game: (2.82: 1987) and shots: (338: 1985). In the all-time history of the program, the 1970 team still holds the record for the most goals in a season with 57. Defensively, the 1988 team's 12 shutouts are also tied for the most in Leatherneck history for a season (Non-Division I and Division I eras combined).

Fans can be on the lookout for the release of the 'Second Team' from the first 25 seasons of the program (1967-1992), which consists of 11 recipients.

ALL-LEATHERNECK HONORABLE MENTIONS (1967-1992)
Tom Adams (1987-89, 91)
Mike Balek (1970-73)
Nick Barczyski (1974-77)
Skip Begley (1970-73)
Don Berhorst (1979)
Don Bjork (1967-69)
Norman Christie (1981-84)
Bob Crowe (1979-80, 1984-85)
Ray Doggendorf (1978-81)
Mike Ebert (1974-76)
Rob Ebinger (1969-73)
Carlo Filice (1973)
Bill Houser (1971-73)
Neil Houtsma (1974)
Jeff Juhlin (1983, 86)
Tom Korte (1981-84)
Mike Kiefer (1976-78)
Kevin Kretzer (1977-80)
Steve Kruse (1970-73)
Manny Maciel (1975-77)
Yurgen Markewycz (1967-68)
Brian McGinnis (1978-80)
Paul Moses (1978-80)
Andy Newman (1978)
Jim O'Toole (1976-79)
Jim Quinn (1978, 80)
Craig Pestka (1978-80)
Stan Petska (1974, 76)
Stan Peters (1969-70)
Vic Reed (1967)
John Ridder (1977-80)
Kevin Schmidt (1983-84)
Joe Steltenkamp (1969)
Chris Thompson (1986-89)
Bruce Wade (1987-90)
Jack Weisberg (1976)
Ric Vordermark (1986-87)

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