Walter Schlothauer

When we speak of youth soccer pioneers in Northern Ohio, we need to mention Walter Schlothauer.

Walter began to play soccer at the age of 4, and by the age of 6, he was one of the regular players on the Danube Swabian U10 teams.  He become a feared left winger and is perhaps credited to score the fastest goal in youth soccer history, when he scored from a kick-off during the first seconds of a game in Chagrin Falls . 

As Walter grew older, his technique developed at a rapid pace. He became one of the leaders of the Concordia U19 team representing Ohio in the Regional State Tournament in Oakbrook , Illinois in which the team players were named the best team of the Midwest .

Walter along with three other teammates was selected to play on the first Regional Select Team of the Midwest .  At the National Tournament in Dallas , Texas he was one of two players from the Ohio Youth Soccer Association North to earn the privilege to be selected to play on the first US National Youth Team (U19) ever assembled by the United States Youth Soccer Association.  The team traveled to Germany in October, 1975 where he played under the guidance of National Youth Coach Angus Mc Alpine.

While playing in High School and College he became a pioneer in the sport of soccer there, too. He became one of the best known All Americans while playing at Mentor High School and at the Cleveland State University .  Walter was not only trend setting with his tactical and technical game, but with his left foot which made him one of the most feared players by his opponents.

After his college years he played professionally for 12 years for several teams both indoors, as well as outdoors.

His great skills and dangerous left foot earned him a place on the US National Indoor Soccer Team that participated in the first FIFA “5 A Side” Indoor World Cup held in Hungary in 1986 were the team took 6^th place among eight.

Upon retirement as a player he became a coach and administrator. At the present time he is the Director of Operations of Soccer Sportsplex and Excalibur Premier Soccer Club.

Walter has earned places in the hall of Fame at the Mentor High school . In 2002 he was selected by an Ohio-North committee as one of the top 75 soccer leaders of Northern Ohio .