The purpose of the Ohio Youth Soccer Association North Hall of Fame is to recognize people who have given their time, talent and effort to the youth soccer players in the Ohio Youth Soccer Association North (OYSAN) state association.  To be selected a person must have contributed positively to the growth and/or betterment of youth soccer in OYSAN. 

Ohio Youth Soccer Association - North Announces
2004 Hall of Fame Inductees 

The class of 2004 for the Ohio Youth Soccer Association Hall of Fame was inducted on March 20, 2004 at the induction dinner in Independence, Ohio.  This class consists of five people, is the third class of inductees, and brings the total to 22 members.

Hall of Fame Biographies, the Ohio Youth Soccer Association North

George Djisheff
As one of the first pioneers of organized soccer in the Youngstown area, George Djisheff started to assist soccer with his administrative and organizational skills in the 1970s.  First with the formation of the Austintown Junior Soccer League and the Austintown Junior Falcon travel team, to the organization of the Youngstown Area Youth Soccer League, his work has assisted thousands of kids play soccer.

In the early 1980s, he founded the Sons of Italy Soccer Club, now known as Soccer Ohio, Inc.  He was a member of the Mahoning Valley Referees' Association.  Known as a fine referee and coach, most recently with the Austintown Fitch and Ursuline Girls High School teams.

A member of the Ohio Youth Soccer Association North Board of Directors for nearly 20 years, Djiseff served as the Chairman of nearly every committee.  His work advanced the cause of youth soccer and he led in the development of a professional organization.

The soccer community mourned his death in 2003.

Due to his long time service to youth soccer, his dedication of his administrative, referee and coaching skills, George Djisheff is elected to the OYSAN Hall of Fame.

Robert Dowdy
Robert Dowdy became one of the first college coaches during the 1970s when he was the head coach at the University of Akron.  He was the Region II Boys Regional Coach for its first six years.  He was a state pioneer in OYSAN Coaching Schools and the Director of the State Select Program.  Many of the current OYSAN coaches took their first instruction from Robert Dowdy.

After moving due to job relocation to North Carolina, Dowdy became the NCYSA Director of Coaching and served on their board for seven years.

Currently, he is Senior Vice President for an insurance company, and is looking forward to coaching soccer for his grandchildren.

Because of his early work in establishing coaching education at the state and regional level, Robert Dowdy is elected to the OYSAN Hall of Fame

Herb Haller, Sr.
A native of Europe, Herb Haller's parent immigrated with 12 year old Herb and his brother to Cleveland.  It did not take long before the SC Donauschwaben discovered the talented Haller.  In 1968, he attended Olympic and National Team tryouts as the sole OYSAN representative.

In the same year he started coaching and produced two junior national team players:  Wolfgang Urban and Walter Scholthauer.  In 1973 he began coaching the Cleveland Stars, which became the Cobras.  In 1975, he was the American Soccer League Coach of the Year in honor of winning the Mid-West Division.  He also coaches at Baldwin Wallace College.

He was instrumental in introducing premier soccer to the area, coaching in the highly successful East-West Soccer Club, one of the country's first true premier programs including a finalist in the McGuire Cup in 1985.  Over 90% of Haller's players excelled in college, including Brad Friedel, Brad Cartwright, Andriy Shapowal, Herb Haller, Jr., and Roger Haller.  He was the Regional Women's Coach in 1983, and was the OYSAN and Region II Coach of the Year in 1988.

He holds one of the first National C and National B licenses, earning them in 1973 and 1974 from Walt Chysowich and Dettmar Cramer.  He served as a board member of Ohio Youth Soccer Association North, and as a council member of the USSF Youth Association.

For his dedication to playing, coaching and administration, and for his long time service to youth soccer, Herb Haller, Sr. is elected to the OYSAN Hall of Fame.

George Hunter
George Hunter, along with George Djisheff was instrumental in the organization of youth soccer in the Youngstown area.  He was the Men's Head Coach at Youngstown State University from 1977-1985, and coaches for SOI from 1987-1992 and 1995-2000.  He was the ODP State Team U14 coach from 1988-1992. 

In 1988, he began his service to OYSAN as the district commissioner for District 1.  In 1989, he was elected President of OYSAN and grew the completely volunteer association from 7,600 players in 11 leagues to 25,000 players in 36 leagues in his three-year term.  In addition he created board committees to further girls soccer and recreational soccer.  He served US Youth Soccer on the nominating committee, regional appeals and the editorial advisory committee for the national publication.

In 1993 and 1994, he served as Indiana's first Executive Director, starting the first newspaper and adding 8,500 players.  Upon his return to Ohio, Hunder managed the State Cup.  In 1996, he began a new role as chairman of the Sportsmanship Committee, and presented the OYSAN program at the US Youth Soccer National Workshop.  He was elected to the OYSAN Board of Directors where he served as District Commissioner and Second Vice President, and on several committees.  He is currently the Presidnet of the Youngstown District High School Coaches Association and the Secretary of the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association.

For his long time service to youth soccer as a state president, executive director, coach and administrator, George Hunter is elected to the OYSAN Hall of Fame.

Joan Korenko
If there is a mother of youth soccer in Ohio North, that person is Joan Korenko.  Often the only woman on a board of directors or at a coaching school, Korenko was a pioneer in soccer. 

She was the first women's coach of a boy's team when she coached the Mentor HS JV teams from 1979-1981.  In 1972, she was the first woman to attend a USSF National coaching course.  She attended, but was not able to pass the physical test set at men's standards.  In 1974, she became the first woman soccer coach in the state, passed her D license and received the Number 1 State Soccer Coaching License.  She has coached both boys and girls teams for over 35 years.

In the early 1970s, she helped start the first womens'/girls' soccer league, the Western Reserve Soccer League, which became the NOGSL.  She was the founding secretary for the Ohio Amateur Soccer League, OASL, the first community level travel program in Ohio.  She has remained active and is currently the OASL registrar.

Korenko not only attended school as a youngster, and coached in the Mentor School system, she has been a middle school teacher for 30 years.  She is an advisor to clubs, and helps students in the academic Cardinal challenge each year.

Due to her extraordinary contribution to coaching, administration and dedication to youth soccer, Joan Korenko is elected to the OYSAN Hall of Fame.  

Hall of Fame members will have their names inscribed on a plaque in the OYSAN office and will receive a crystal bowl or vase and a special pin.  People who are deceased will have the award presented to the appropriate family member.

• OYSAN Hall of Fame Class of 2003
• OYSAN Hall of Fame Class of 2002