Chapter Two: 1959 NCAA Men’s Championship and the St. Louis Era (with David Lange)

In 1959, the first year the NCAA staged a national soccer championship, St. Louis University converted its club program to varsity status. It was unlikely that the Billikens would immediately become a powerhouse. After all, some programs had already been in existence for nearly five decades and hundreds of others for at least a decade. How would this upstart team compete? But head coach Bob Guelker built a roster full of St. Louisans that would become an immediate powerhouse and the beginning of a college soccer dynasty. Their model would change college soccer and help forge a path for the sport to become popular in America. Author Dave Lange is our guest. He wrote ⁠⁠⁠Soccer Made in St. Louis⁠ which features rich details about the 1959 NCAA Championship and St. Louis University's soccer history. Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America. Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠FoundingFutbol.com Sub...