SAN FRANCISO (August 9, 2002) — U.S. Soccer’s membership today elected Dr. S. Robert Contiguglia to a second four-year term as President of the U.S. Soccer Federation by unanimous consent. Contiguglia ran unopposed in the election. Contiguglia has been involved in soccer in the U.S. for more than three decades, during which he has excelled at almost every level of the game.
During his first four-year tenure, U.S. Soccer’s National Team programs were successful at every level of the sport. In addition to winning the 1999 Women’s World Cup here in the United States, the Under-23 Men’s National Team advance to the medal round of the 2000 Olympic Games, the U-17s advanced to the final four of 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship and, of course, the recently completed 2002 World Cup saw the U.S. Men capture the attention of a nation as they achieved their best ever results at the World Cup, advancing to the quarterfinals.
“The last four years have been remarkable,” said Dr. Contiguglia, who begins his second four-year term immediately. “We have concentrated our efforts on servicing our membership, increasing communication and solidifying the business structure of U.S. Soccer so that our entire organization could better benefit from player development and our groundbreaking international performances on the field. While we have made significant progress in four years, there is still much to accomplish.”
The 60-year-old Contiguglia was first introduced to the game as a player in his native New York, and later became a youth soccer coach in Colorado. From 1990 through 1996 he served as chairman of the United States Youth Soccer Association.
In other news at today’s National Council meeting at the Hilton San Francisco, membership approval was unanimously granted to three organizations: the United States Deaf Soccer Association, the Vermont State Soccer Association and the Major Indoor Soccer League. Also, the U.S. Soccer Foundation saw Lauren Gregg, Jim Hamilton and Brad Hays re-elected to the organization’s Board of Directors.
Dr. S. Robert Contiguglia Bio
Dr. S. Robert Contiguglia, one of the United States’ most experienced soccer leaders, has served as U.S. Soccer’s president since 1998. His election as head of the nation’s national governing body of soccer culminated a three-decade career in which he excelled as a player, coach and administrator at nearly every possible level of the game.
In his four-plus years at the helm of U.S. Soccer, Dr. Contiguglia has brought a professional and business-like approach to the organization, highlighted by the hiring of successful National Team coaches Bruce Arena and April Heinrichs.
Contiguglia served for six years (1990-1996) as chairman of the USYSA, during which time he also was a member of the Executive Committee of U.S. Soccer. He continued to serve on the U.S. Soccer National Board of Directors as chairman of the coaching committee until his election as president. He also serves in various capacities with CONCACAF, the world’s regional zone in which the United States plays, and currently serves as a member of the FIFA Youth Committee. He also gave his time as a member of the board of the U.S. Soccer Federation Foundation from the group’s inception in 1994 through 1996.
A successful kidney specialist, Dr. Contiguglia began his soccer love affair as a player and coach and ultimately pursued soccer administration at the youth level, and in 1981 was elected president of the Colorado State Youth Soccer Association. In 1983. Contiguglia served as chairman of the U.S. Soccer coaching committee, and was later named as the USSF delegate to the U.S. Olympic Committee.
Contiguglia served for six years (1990-1996) as chairman of the USYSA, during which time he also was a member of the Executive Committee of U.S. Soccer. He also serves in various capacities with CONCACAF and is a member of the FIFA Youth Committee.
Contiguglia's soccer playing career began at Great Neck High School in Long Island , N.Y., where he earned all-Nassau County honors. A three-year varsity letter winner at Columbia University in New York City, Contiguglia earned All-Ivy League honors his senior year. A U.S. Soccer National "A" licensed coach, he coached in the Colorado State Youth Soccer Association from 1976?1982, beginning with his son's under-6 team. In 1982, his boy's under-12 squad finished as runner-up in the Colorado State Cup, and his under-16 Colorado State Select Team were champions of the Rocky Mountain Regional Tournament.
Born on September 14, 1941, in New York City, Contiguglia, a U.S. Air Force Reserve Captain, earned his medical degree in 1967 from State University of New York City in Brooklyn, N.Y. He received his undergraduate degree from Columbia University with a major in Zoology and a minor in English. He and his wife, Georgianna, make their home in Denver and are the parents of Andrew and Francesca, as well as the grandparents of Cheylene and Alexander.
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