Factoids about the Men’s Soccer Program:
« Club records date to 1980. There were two seasons, fall and spring, and eventually two teams that were scheduled to play each other.
« Home games were played at Northview Middle School. Practices were three
times a week and Sundays at 1010 W. 64th Street.
« Several players had standing excused practices for Dynamo FC Travel Club or other sports practices. Two mothers were assigned for the boys to call if they were going to miss practice. If a player did not show up for three games, they were off the team.
« Eventually, in 1982, the Club President, Connie Kidd, issued a policy on absences. It stipulated legitimate excuses for absences as illness, death in the family, or job conflict.
« Parents built and repaired goals and provided transportation to the games. Players were to meet at a phone booth near North Central to see who needed a ride. Fathers volunteered as linesmen.
Players paid $10 for the team shirt.
« The original Secret Pals were cheerleader “soccerettes ̈.
« The first post-season banquets were held at Ralf’s Deli on N. Meridian Street. Patches were made with Ralf’s logo for team members to wear on their jerseys.
« Schedules were typed on a folded 8×10 sheet. Sponsors were Ralf’s Deli, Giganti Sales, and Merchantile Bank.
« At the beginning of the 1980 fall season, club coffers held $1.38. The balance at the end of the season was $85.62. Season expenditures were projected to be $300. By the beginning of the fall
1983 season, the club had a cash balance of $1018. Income (largely due to candy sales and newly raised players fees) and expenses were about $3200 each.
« John Katsaropolous was the Head Coach in1980, 1981 and 1982. George McClean was the 1983 coach. Jerry Little assumed the Head Coach position in 1984.
« In February 1983, Jerry Little entered the North Central Team in the first Manchester College Invitational Tournament (indoor). They won this several winters in a row. Teams included the Fort Wayne schools, East Chicago and Carmel.
« In 1983, a season pass was issued to each parent for a free admission to the games.
« In August 1983, the soccer club initiated a 2.0 G.P.A. requirement to take effect at the end of the first 6 week grading period.
« After the 1983 State Finals, the club received a congratulatory letter from the high school
principal with a bill for the transportation by bus of the players to their state finals game.
« For several years, Connie Kidd and others lobbied relentlessly for varsity status. On March 19, 1984, Washington Township School Board voted to elevate soccer to varsity status. Eight area high schools had already done so. When it was granted in 1984, the club was required to provide $2000
per year for two years to the support of the team.
« 1985 was the first year for the Alumni Game and Picnic. Varsity played alumni through 1993.
Varsity never won.
« Picture Books with senior posters were begun in 1987 by Rebecca McBride (a student and sister of a team member). Original photo books were hand lettered folders with 8 or so pictures.
« In 1994, IHSAA recognizes soccer. North Central was the first IHSAA State Champs.
Past Presidents of the Booster Club:
1980: Larry Conrad
1981: Larry Conrad
1982: Connie Kidd
1983: Connie Kidd
1984: Marcia McCarthy
1985: Judy Libby
1986: Judy Libby
1987: Louise Epstein
1988: Diane McBride
1989: Linda Johnston
1990: Susie Tittle
1991: Anna McCann & Evvy Moss
1992: Anna McCann
1993: Ann Warden
1994: Tahia Miller
1995: Bobbie Frazier & Pam Weaver
1996: Gary & Judy Kaufman
1997: Marcia Northcutt & Sally Renfro
1998: Lori Mills & Weezy Smith
1999: Elizabeth Malone & Ruth Mills
2000: Barbara Gurwitz & Marilyn Stevning
2001: Lynn Aurelius & Kathy Munroe
2002: Debbie Pflederer & Martha Whiteman
2003: Rick Gilbert
2004: Liz Markey & Ruth Mills
2005: Lori Miser & Jenni Mohr
2006: Katrina Gaddis & Julie Powers
2007: Stephanie Fundenberger & Linda Wilkins
2008: Lucy Lane & Steve Miner
2009: Gartha Ingram and Bart Weidman
2010: Rich Grove
2011: Rich Grove
2012: Rich Grove
2013: Dave Hensel and Andrew Morris
2014: Doug Bye and Jeff Linkon
2015: Tony Dzwonar and David Matters
2016: Jim Smith and Paul Behringer
2017: Jim Smith and T. Ray Phillips
2018: Derek Price and Randy Biederstedt
2019: Randy Biederstedt and Sharlee Little
2020: Randy Biederstedt and Maura Mackey