LM Soccer Fast Facts

* LM has accumulated 939 total wins in their 93-year storied history

* In the last 33 years, LM’s win/loss percentage is 73%

* LM has won 21 Suburban I League Titles

* LM has won 11 Central League Titles

* LM has won 7 District 1 Titles with 6 second place finishes

* LM has won 1 State Title, with 2 second place finishes

* LM has qualified for the District 1 Playoffs 37 times, including the last 13 in a row

* LM has qualified for the State Playoffs 8 times, going to the final four 3 times

* LM has had 11 H.S. All-America Selections (3 chosen twice)

1987 - Drew Misher

1988 - Chris Schreiner

1989 - Lou Spivak

1990 - John Howard

1991 & 1992 - Will Kohler

1993 & 1994 - Jon Hanks

2005 & 2006 - Drew Kotler

2007 - Greg Robbins

2008 - Nick Bibbs & Dan DiLullo

2013 - Francisco Palma

* There have been 21 LM players, coaches, or teams inducted into the Lower Merion Boy's Soccer Hall of Fame since it’s inception in 2006 (bios for all appear after the 2016 Inductee).

Inducted 2006

-- Harold Helveston, Coach (1924-1941)

-- Robert Robinson, Coach (1967-1990)

-- Bob Davidson, Player/Coach (1961-1963) & (1974-1995)

-- Jeffrey Rhodes, Player (1962-1964)

-- Steve Davidson, Player (1963-1965)

-- Drew Misher, Player (1985-1987)

-- Jason DiLullo, Player (1986-1988)

-- Will Kohler, Player (1990-1992)

Inducted 2007

-- Robert Hill, Coach (1942-1959, 1962 & 1965)

-- Tom Farr, Player (1971-1973)

Inducted 2008

-- Jonathan Hanks, Player (1991-1994)

Inducted 2009

** Doug Brown, Player (1973-1975)

** John Wynn, Player (1942-1944)

Inducted 2010

** Chris Schreiner, Player/Coach (1986-1988) & (1997-2001)

** David Urban, Player/Coach (1983-1985) & (1996)

Inducted 2011

** Walter (Bud) Lownes, Player (1941-1943)

Inducted 2012

** 1987 Central League & State Championship Team

Indicted 2013

** 1968 Central League, District, & Inter-District Championship Team

Inducted 2014

** James Billington, Player (1943-1945)

Inducted 2015

** Jim Koch, Player (1976-1978)

Inducted 2016

** Drew Kotler, Player (2003-2006)
----------------------------

-->

First Inductee Class, November, 2006

Harold Helveston:

 

Harold (Hap) Helveston has long been deceased, but is still considered the founder of the Lower Merion High School Boy’s Soccer Program. Before coming to Lower Merion he graduated from Haverford College, and first taught night classes at Temple. When he came to Lower Merion he became a teacher in the math department. Harold was instrumental in helping to form the very 1st boy’s soccer team in 1924, and coached for 18 years until 1941. According to the archives, that 1st team had a record of 7-5-4. There is no evidence that Lower Merion played in a formal high school soccer league until 1931. But in the 1st 11 years of league play, Lower Merion, under coach Helveston, finished in 1st place 5 times, and in 2nd place the other 6. District playoffs did not begin until 1954, long after Coach Helveston had retired. His 18 year coaching record was 146-72-40. Upon retirement, in the early 60’s, Harold became a world traveler. He visited 49 of the 50 states, as well as every continent except South America.

The MVP award, which has been given out to the varisty’s most valuable player for the past 30+ years, is named in his honor.

Robert W. Robinson:

Robert (Robby) Robinson graduated from West Chester University in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. In 1966 he accepted a teaching position in the Mathematics Department at Lower Merion High School. Ten years later Robby became the Chairman of that Department.

He began coaching soccer at the J.V. level in 1967.  After one year he then became the head varsity coach. In his first year as varsity coach, Lower Merion went 14-1-1, winning the Central League Title, the PIAA District 1 Title, and then defeated ELCO High School, from PIAA District 3, on corner kicks in Inter-District play.  Robby continued as the varsity soccer coach at Lower Merion for 23 more years, making him the longest tenured head varsity coach in the history of Lower Merion soccer.  During that time his teams had a combined record of 214-119-65, won 6 Central League Titles, 2 PIAA District 1 Titles, and 1 PIAA State Championship 1n 1987.  Lower Merion also played in two additional state championship games under the guidance of Robby in 1984 and 1988.  He was named the Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 1984.

In addition to coaching Lower Merion’s soccer team, Robby has also been involved in the growth of soccer on the local, state, and national level.  He is a co-founder of the Radnor Soccer Club.  He is also a co-founder, past treasurer, and past president of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association.  In 1972 Rob founded the Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association (PSCA) and was their first Executive Secretary, serving in that position until 1979. In this position, Rob was instrumental in creating the first All State Soccer Team (1972) and the PIAA state wide playoff system (1973).  Also in 1972, Rob was elected as Treasurer for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and thus began a long and involved connection that continues to this day.  Rob served on the NSCAA Executive Committee and Board of Directors for 25 years as Treasurer (1972-92), Vice President (1992-95), and President (1995).

Robby continues to serve the soccer community as the NSCAA’s Convention Manager where he oversees their Annual Convention. He lives in Wayne with his wife Kate and has 4 grown children.

Bob Davidson:

Bob (“B”) Davidson played soccer for Lower Merion in the Fall of 1961, 1962, and 1963. During that time the Lower Merion varsity went 30-9-4. In his senior year, the Aces went undefeated in league play, won the Surburban 1 Title, and went on to the District 1 finals, losing to Upper Darby 1-0. Bob led the team in scoring, and was chosen 1st-team All-League, as well as being elected to the Philadelphia All-Scholastic team.

After Lower Merion, Bob went on to become a 3-year varsity starter for East Stroudsburg University, leading the team in scoring all three years and into the NCAA Division 1 Tournament his Junior year. He was chosen to the All-Conference team all three years, and named the team’s Most Valuable Offensive Player in both his junior & senior years. As a Senior co-captain, Bob was named to the NCAA Regional All-America team.

Upon graduation, Bob took a job teaching physical education in Lower Merion School District. He also coached soccer at Lower Merion High School for a total of 23 years, at the J.V., Assistant Varsity, and Head Varsity levels. During that time his Lower Merion teams had a total combined record of 269-73-74, won 5 Central League titles, 1 District One title, and a PIAA State title. In his 14 year tenure at the varsity level, the Aces qualified for the State Playoffs 5 times, and the District Playoffs every year but one. He also founded the Lower Merion Soccer Alumni Association, that boasts a membership of over 200 former Aces players.

Twenty eight years ago, while working for the Lower Merion Township Recreation Department, Bob began an extensive township soccer program that still exists today. It included youth summer soccer clinics, youth winter indoor soccer clinics, as well as high school & open division summer soccer leagues and winter indoor soccer leagues. He also coached for 6 years in the Delco Soccer League, as a club coach as well as a Select coach. He recently retired and is living in Haverford Township with his wife Mary Ann. He has 3 grown boys, who, oddly enough, are all accomplished soccer players.

Jeffrey Rhodes:

Jeffrey played varsity soccer for Lower Merion in 1962, 1963, and 1964.  During that time Lower Merion posted a 41-6-1 overall record, winning the league title all three years.  During his senior year, Jeffrey was named All-League 1st team, and to the Philadelphia All-Scholastic Team.  In the annual game between the Philadelphia All-Scholastic Team and the New York All-Scholastic Team, held at Randall’s Island Stadium in New York, Jeffrey was honored as the game’s Most Valuable Player.  In addition, Jeffrey played lacrosse in his junior & senior year and was named to the Pennsylvania and Delaware All-State Lacrosse Team.

Jeffrey continued to play soccer and lacrosse at the University of Pennsylvania.  During his career, Jeffrey was a leading scorer in both soccer and lacrosse at Penn, and in the Ivy League, making the All-Ivy Teams in both sports, as well as playing in the NCAA Soccer Tournament during his senior year.  While pursuing his MBA at The Wharton School, Jeffrey continued to play club soccer and lacrosse, and later served as the assistant head lacrosse coach at Yale while pursuing additional post-graduate work.

Jeffrey serves on the Board of Overseers at Penn and is active on the advisory committees for both The Real Estate School at Wharton and the Penn Athletic Department.  Through his continued generosity to the Penn soccer program, the soccer stadium was named Rhodes Field in 1990.  In recognition of the Century of Soccer at Penn, Jeffrey was also honored in 2005 when he was named to their 1965-1974 All-Decade Team.

During his 37 year career, Jeffrey has worked for some of the largest and most prominent real estate development companies in over 25 cities.  Best known projects include Copley Place in Boston, the Beverly Hills Hotel, Pebble Beach, Aspen Skiing Company, and One Logan Square and the Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia.  Jeffrey is currently president of The Rhodes Company and returned to Lower Merion Township from Seattle 7 years ago with his wife, Katie, and their twins Nicolas & Lauren.

Steve Davidson:

Steve (“S”) Davidson played varsity soccer for Lower Merion in the Fall of 1963, 1964, & 1965. During that time the Lower Merion varsity posted a 41-4-2 overall record, went undefeated in league play all three years, and won the District 1 Title in 1965. Steve was an all-league 1st team pick in both his junior & senior years, as well as captain, and a Philadelphia All-Scholastic selection in his senior year. His boy’s varsity scoring records at LM of most career goals (64), and most goals in a single season (31) still stand today. In 1999, girl’s varsity soccer star Leah Greenspoon broke Steve’s school record with her 65th career goal, which ironically was assisted by Steve’s daughter Findley. Both of Steve’s children played soccer for Lower Merion; Findley was a four year starter on the girl’s varsity team (1996 thru 1999), and Todd a two year starter on the boy’s team (1994 & 1995). Both were All-League selections in their senior years.

After graduating from Lower Merion, Steve went to Princeton, where he became a three year varsity starter on the Tiger’s soccer team. He was an All-Ivy League selection all three years, chosen to the All-East team as a junior & senior, and, as a senior, was the Captain of the team and chosen to the NCAA All-America Team. He also won the team’s Most Valuable Player award as a senior. His scoring records for career goals (43), and most goals in a single season (20) still stand at Princeton.

Upon graduation, Steve taught at The Haverford School for two years. He then got involved with Home Box Office as an Account Manager, and rose through the ranks to his current position of Executive Vice President of Affiliate Sales. He currently resides in Lower Merion Township with his wife Ollie.

Drew Misher:

Drew Misher was a 3 year varsity starter for Lower Merion’s soccer team in 1985, 1986, & 1987. The team’s record during his 3 years was 57-8-11, and, in all 3 years, the Aces won the Central League Championship. LM also qualified for the District & State Playoffs all 3 years, and in Drew’s senior year, the Aces won the PIAA State Title. As a senior tri-captain, Drew was chosen to the All-Central League 1st team, the All-State team, and was the 1st soccer player in Lower Merion history to be named to the National Soccer Coaches Association High School All-American team, which began in 1972. He also led the team in scoring with 22 goals & 7 assists, despite playing out of the center midfield position. For his career he had 40 goals & 13 assists. His biggest goal was the State Championship game winner in overtime against Fox Chapel, his final game in an Ace’s uniform. 

After Lower Merion, Drew played varsity soccer at William & Mary, where he received a degree in International Relations. He then went on and earned an MBA from Temple. He became a partner in a consulting firm called Silver Oaks Partners. He now lives in the Lower Merion area with his wife Lisa and their 3 children, and is active as a coach in the community soccer program.

Jason DiLullo:

Jason DiLullo was a 3 year varsity goalkeeper for Lower Merion’s soccer team in 1986, 1987, & 1988. The team’s record during his 3 years in goal was 61-7-14, while winning 2 Central League Championships, a District 1 Title, and a PIAA State Crown. Jason was voted the team’s outstanding defensive player in his Junior & Senior years, as well as being elected to the All-Central League team both years. Jason still holds the school record of 17 shutouts in a single season, but his 30 career shutout record fell this year to another outstanding LM goalkeeper, Drew Kotler.

After Lower Merion Jason went on to play 4 years for Brown University, which has now become a perennial NCAA division 1 contender. He graduated in 1993 with an AB in Organization Behavior & Management (with honors) as well as International Relations. He has worked in the mergers & acquisitions department of global banks his entire professional career. He now lives in San Francisco with his wife of 5 years and his young son. He has still stayed active in soccer, playing in recreational leagues, and is now doing some youth coaching.

William Kohler:

William (Will) Kohler was a 3 year varsity starter for Lower Merion’s soccer team in 1990, 1991, & 1992. The team’s record during his 3 years was 40-13-10, and in all three years the Aces qualified for the District 1 Playoffs, winning the Central League Title in 1990. After being chosen to the All-Central League 2^nd team as a sophmore, Will became one of the most dominant players in the Central League in his Junior & Senior years. He led both the team, and the league, in scoring both years, totaling a combined 46 goals and 36 assists. He was chosen 1^st team All-Central League as a Junior and a Senior, and was named the league’s MVP his Senior year. He also made the All-State team each year as well. In addition, Will was named to the NSCAA High School All-America team both years, being only one of two Lower Merion players ever to achieve this honor.

While in High School Will also played for the U-17 National Team, and participated in the Junior World Cup held in Italy. Upon graduation he attended Harvard University, where he was a 3-year starter and an All-Ivy selection all three years. As a Senior he was named the Ivy League’s Player of the Year. In 1997 Will was drafted 14th overall in the MLS draft by the New York-New Jersey Metrostars.

After graduating with honors from Harvard, with a B.A. in economics, Will was a co-founder of a facilities-based communications provider called Pointe Communications. Currently he works at Prism Venture Partners in Boston, MA, and lives in Duxbury, MA with his wife Devon and his 18 month old daughter.

Second Inductee Class, January, 2007

Tom Farr 

Tom Farr played soccer for Lower Merion from 1971–1973 under Coach Rob Robinson.  After graduation he went on to play for Dr. John McKeon at East Stroudsburg State College from 1974-1977.  After college he played with numerous clubs in the area up until 2006, which includes the Lower Merion Recreational league, the Philadelphia Cricket Club, the United League, Berks United and West Bradford.

Tom was a Lower Merion High School Varsity Assistant coach in 1978, he coached the Drexel Hill Junior High team from 1979–1981, Upper Darby Freshman Soccer team in 1982–1983, and since 1984 has been the Head Soccer Coach at Upper Darby High School. His current overall Varsity record is 184-201-53.  His Upper Darby team has won numerous Central League sportsmanship awards since the inception of the award 12 years ago.  Under Tom, the Upper Darby team won the Central League title in 2004 and has appeared in the PIAA District One play-offs in 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2007.  Tom currently serves as the Mathematics Supervisor for Upper Darby School District.

Along the way Tom has been very active in community soccer.  He has been involved in numerous soccer camps, including the Delco Soccer Camp, the Delco Select Soccer Camp, the Marlton NJ girls’ soccer camp, and the Lower Merion recreation soccer camp.

He was also the Lower Merion Indoor league Director from 1985–1987 and the Lower Merion Outdoor league Director from 198 –1989.

In addition, Tom has been involved in soccer at both the State and National Levels in the following capacities:  he is a member of both the Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America; he is currently the Central League Representative to the Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association; and is also the Central League Boys soccer chair.  He has been Treasurer of the Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association (1993–2003), the Vice President of the Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association (2004–2006) and is presently the President of the Pennsylvania Soccer Association.  In the years 1999, 2002 and 2006 Tom was the Local Committee co-chair of the National Soccer Coaches Association annual convention when it was held in Philadelphia.  From 2000 to the present he serves at the National Soccer Coaches Association Assistant Program Coordinator.

Tom has been married since 1992 to his wife Kim, who teaches Spanish at Academy Park High School.  They have two daughters. Darri is a sophomore at New York University and Hallie is in pre-kindergarten.

Robert Hill:

Robert (Bob) Hill has long been deceased, but is still considered one of the most successful coaches in Lower Merion High School Boy’s Soccer history. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, he began his tenure at Lower Merion as a teacher in the math department. He first served as assistant coach to Harold Helveston for several years in the late 30’s and early 40’s, then Bob took over the head job in 1942. He coached boy’s soccer for 17 years, from 1942 to 1959, and accumulated an overall record of 225-51-46 while winning 11 Suburban 1 League titles (including 7 straight) and 2 District 1 titles. He then passed the baton to Charles Kerner, another math teacher, in 1960. When Mr. Kerner took emergency leaves in 1962 & 1965, Bob came back and coached the team in his absence, winning another League & District title in 1965 when his team went 17-1. This brought his total record at Lower Merion to 231-55-48, and to this day, Bob remains the winningest boy’s soccer coach in the history of the school.

Bob had three daughters, one of which, Mina, married longtime Lower Merion physical education teacher and coach Bud Cantigalli. Soccer continues to be a part of the Hill family tree as just recently Bob’s great granddaughter Jocelyn, also a soccer coach, was inducted into the girl’s soccer Hall of Fame at Central Dauphin High School.

Third Inductee Class, January, 2008

Jon Hanks:

Jon was the very first freshman to play boy’s varsity soccer at Lower Merion High School, and was a 4 year starter from 1991 thru 1994. The team’s record during those 4 years was 50-22-14, while qualifying for the District 1 playoffs each year. Over those 4 years Jon accumulated 55 goals & 32 assists, putting him in the top 3 scorers in Lower Merion boy’s soccer history. In both his junior & senior years he was the team’s captain, the league’s high scorer, chosen to the All-Central League first team, as well as being an All-State selection. He is also one of only 3 Aces players to be chosen to the High School All-America team as both a junior & senior.

After graduating from Lower Merion, Jon went on to play soccer at Lafayette University, where, as a freshman, helped lead them to their first ever NCAA tournament birth. Quite an accomplishment for the smallest Division I program in the country. As a result of his stellar play and leadership qualities, Jon was named captain of the team in both his sophmore & junior years, before injuries ended his college career short of his final season.

Currently, Jon is a working as a contract attorney at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius in Philadelphia, and is an active member of the Pennsylvania bar association.

Fourth Inductee Class, January, 2009

Doug Brown:

Doug was a 3-year starter for Lower Merion from 1973-1975. As a sophomore forward he earned All-League recognition. Doug moved up to midfield as a junior, and, scheduled to be the go to guy in the middle for the Aces, he sustained broken bones in his right foot in the first game of the season. Despite playing hurt the entire season, he still managed good numbers and helped keep LM in every game. As a healthy senior co-captain, he led the Aces to their first winning season in several years, and was named 1^st team All-Central League. He was also named to the All-District team, and chosen as the team MVP.

Doug won a total of 5 varsity letters while at LM, and, as a senior, he won the Dave Erickson Outstanding Player award as the 3^rd baseman for the LM baseball team.

After Lower Merion, Doug was a 4-year varsity starter at center midfield for Moravian College’s men’s soccer team. In a distinguished career, the Moravian team went 38-16-9, was often nationally ranked, and played in the post-season playoffs in 3 of his 4 years. Over his college career he accumulated 30 goals and 15 assists, playing out of the midfield. In both his junior & senior seasons he was chosen 1^st-team All-Middle Atlantic Conference, as well as also being named conference MVP both years. As a senior co-captain, Doug was named NCAA Player of the Week during the season, and achieved 1^st-team All-America status.

During both his high school & college careers, he served as a coach & referee in the LM recreation youth soccer association, assisted numerous clinics, and coached for the Middle States Soccer Camp at Ursinus College. He was also the associate director for the Bethlehem recreation department’s Soccer-at-Night program for disadvantaged children.

Doug has worked and served for the past 20 years in public school, university, and college dining services, winning numerous achievement awards. He is currently the Senior Regional Director for a nationwide dining service contractor, and lives in Overland Park, Kansas, with his wife Joanne. They have 4 grown children living in various cities in the eastern United States.

John Wynn:

John played defense (called left fullback in those days) for the Aces, and was a 3-year starter in ’42, ’43, & ’44. During that time his teams won the Suburban One league all 3 years, compiling a total record of 35-6-5. In his senior year John was chosen captain of his team, picked for the All-Suburban league 1^st team, as well as being named to the All-Scholastic team. Also, in that ’44 season, John, along with his teammates, only allowed 5 goals the entire season (still sharing an LM team record with the ’67 team), including going unscored upon in league play.

After the ’44 season, John played on the American Reserves/Hosiery club team, until he entered Lafayette College in the fall of ’45. At that time, because of World War II, Lafayette had temporarily dropped the men’s soccer program. Undeterred, John asked for a key to the uniform bin, recruited players from around campus, and temporarily reinstated the program for a 4 game season.

After that season John went into the service for a year and a half, during which time Lafayette hired a new soccer coach to keep the program going. When John came back, he was named the co-captain of the team, and in his senior year was chosen to the All-America 2^nd team, and awarded one of the first “Hurlbert Awards” at Lafayette.

After college John joined the Germantown Cricket Club team, who dominated the league for years, and who played one year in an international tournament in Bermuda. After 5 years he joined the Merion Cricket Club team, became chairman of soccer, and started an area youth soccer program for boys & girls. In 1968, John started the first junior boy’s club soccer team in Lower Merion, and in 1972 did the same for the girls. He coached youth soccer for 15 years, and was awarded the “Pioneer Award” by the Delco Soccer League. John continued to play in the Cricket Club League until he was 45, and was a big international soccer fan, going to the World Cup in France in 1998. And in the early 60’s, when the US women’s team was in it’s infancy, he saw them play their 1^st international match against China at the UGH field up in Neshaminy.

John is currently a quantitative choice portfolio manager for Wells Fargo in Philadelphia, and lives in Gladwyne with his wife Peggy. They have 2 grown children, a son John III, who lives in Cheltenham, and a daughter Amy, who is based at Fort Bragg, CA.

Fifth Inductee Class, January, 2010

Chris Schreiner:

Chris Schreiner was a 3-year varsity starter for Lower Merion’s soccer team in 1986, 1987, & 1988. The team’s record during those years was 61-7-14, while winning 2 Central League Championships, a District One title, and a PIAA State crown. For the 3 years Chris recorded 24 goals & 22 assists, and in his senior year he was a co-captain, MVP of the team, and was chosen to the 1^st team All-Central League, the All-State team, and was named a high school All-America pick. He still holds the LM school records for most games played in a career, 81, and most playoff games played in a career, 24. And amazingly this was in 3 years, as freshman weren’t allowed to play varsity at that time.

Upon graduation Chris attended Mercer College, where as a freshman, in addition to many other accolades, he was chosen 1^st team All-American. After leaving Mercer he played for St. Mirrin F.C. in the Scottish 1^st division for 2 years, and then for Aberdeen F.C. in the Scottish Premier League until he was injured and had to return to the states.

After his playing career was over Chris was an assistant coach at Cabrini College for a year, assistant varsity coach at LM for 4 years, head coach for another 5 years, and then coached the Harriton girl’s soccer team for 5 years.

Chris is now a teaching assistant at Lower Merion High School and lives in Belmont Hills with his wife Rosemarie and his two little girls Sophia and Abby.  He has still stayed active in the community soccer program as an assistant coach of the U-13 Lower Merion Magic.

David Urban

David Urban was a 3-year varsity letter winner for Lower Merion’s soccer team in 1983, 1984, & 1985. He started every game in his junior & senior years at sweeperback, with the team going 34-6-7, and winning 2 Central League titles. LM went to both the District One & PA state playoffs both those years, losing in the state final 1-0 in his junior year, with David voted LM’s Most Valuable Defensive Player. He was also instrumental in many wins as he was the team’s designated penalty kicker. In his senior year he was the team’s captain, MVP, and was chosen to the 1^st team All-Central League team.

Upon graduation David went on to play at Eastern University (formerly Eastern College), where he was a 2-time captain, a 2-time MVP, and a 1^st team NCCAA All American.

After college David was able to come back to Lower Merion High School and coach in the boy’s soccer program, spending 1 year as the Freshmen Coach, 4 years as the Assistant Varsity Coach, and 1 year as the Head Varsity Coach. He then went back to Eastern to become the head Women’s Soccer Coach and Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach for over 5 years.

David continued to stay active in coaching, helping out with the Marple & Liverpool club teams. He presently serves as Vice President for Enrollment at Eastern University, and lives in Newtown Square with his wife Carolyn and three children, Madison, Annika, and JD.

Sixth Inductee Class, September, 2011

Walter “Bud” Lownes:

Bud played offense (called inside right in those days) for the Aces in 1941, ’42, & ’43. In his sophomore year he played for coach Harold Helveston, LM’s very first boy’s soccer coach. Coach Robert Hill took over as head coach in 1942, when Coach Helveston retired, and with Bud as his high scorer, the Aces won league titles in both 1942 & 1943. Coach Hill went on to become the winningest coach in LM boy’s soccer history with 231 wins, and to this day those players on his 1^st team in 1942 affectionately like to say that they taught Coach Hill how to win.

Bud still shares the LM’s boy’s soccer school record for most goals scored in a single game (still standing after 68 years), when he tallied 6 goals in one game during his senior season.

After graduating from LM, and a 2-year stint in the military police stationed in Germany, Bud went on to play soccer at the University of Pennsylvania. While setting scoring records in soccer, he became an “All-American” in both soccer and baseball. After a tryout in 1950, Bud was offered a professional baseball contract with the Phillies, but declined because of “an insufficient salary offer”.

After graduating from Penn Bud played in local soccer leagues, both in Philadelphia, and Washington D.C., for many years. He also became a certified soccer referee in 1956. He then turned to coaching and got involved in coaching girl’s soccer teams in 1974. Bud passed away in 1991.

Bud passed along a love for soccer to his entire family. His wife, Nancy, his nieces & nephews, daughter Debbie and his son Craig, as well as Craig’s and Debbie’s daughters (Bud’s granddaughters).  In fact, on his very first date with his wife, Bud took her to a soccer game. After making sure she was comfortable in the stands, he picked up his bag, changed, and played in the game.

A statement from Bud’s son Craig says it all. “My father gave me a love for the game of soccer, and I have passed this love along to my girls who have exploded as soccer players and leaders. They both enjoy stories about their grandfather and his soccer skills, and are striving to keep a family tradition alive and growing.”

Seventh Inductee Class, September, 2012

The 1987 State Champion Boy’s Soccer Team:

As of the end of last season, the 1987 LM Boy’s Soccer Team was the 1^st, and only, LM boy’s soccer team to win the PIAA State  Soccer Championship.

The ’87 Aces finished the season with an overall record of 22-1-5, a school record for both total wins in a single season and best overall record in a single season, both of which still stand today. They also recorded 14 shutouts, which at that time was also a school record but has since been broken. 

In a must win situation in the last Central League game of the season they defeated defending League, District, & State Champion Strath Haven 1-0 to earn a share of the Central League Title with Strath Haven. This represented LM’s 4^th consecutive Central League Title. They then lost to Central Bucks East on penalty kicks in the District One semi-final before moving through to the PIAA State Tournament as District One’s 3^rd seed.

In the State Tournament semi-finals they met arch-rival Strath Haven once again, and after 110 minutes of soccer ended in a 1-1 tie, they beat the Panthers on sudden-victory penalty kicks. In the State Final against Pittsburgh powerhouse Fox Chapel the ’87 Aces needed overtime again, after another 1-1 tie. With only minutes remaining in the 1^st overtime period Tri-Captain Drew Misher connected on a penalty kick to give LM their 1^st PIAA State Boy’s Soccer Championship.

Besides placing an unprecedented 8 players on the All-Main Line team, the ’87 Aces also put 7 players on the All-Central League team, 2 on the All-District One team, and 1 on the Regional All-America team. 

Many of these players went on to have stellar college soccer careers, and quite a few are still active, playing club soccer and coaching at various levels.

Eighth Inductee Class, September, 2013

The 1968 PIAA Inter-District Champion Boy’s Soccer Team

The 1968 LM Boy’s Soccer Team has been the only team in the history of the LM Soccer program that has won their League Title (Central League), the District 1 Title, and the Inter-District Title (which, from 1954 thru 1972, matched the winners of District 1 against the winners of District 3, the two districts with the most success in the state at that time. This was considered the “unofficial” State Championship during those 18 years).

They won the Central League title with an undefeated record of  7–0 –1 in only the 2^nd year of the League’s existence (the tie coming against Marple in a 1-1 contest in their 1^st Central League game). They beat Neshaminy 5-1 in the District final, defeated ELCO on corner kicks in a hard fought Inter-District game (after regulation play ended 2-2), and finished their season with a 14-1-1 record (the only blemish being a 2-0 loss to Episcopal in a non-league game). Even though they had 4 players named to the All-Central League team they had plenty of depth and talent throughout their line-up.

To anonymously quote several of the 1968 team members and also several of the newspaper articles written at the end of the season:

·      “By the end of that championship season, the starting lineup was a lineup of stars everywhere you looked.  To me, every one of the team starters could have played for every team in the Central League that year.”

·      “We all contributed, whether in minutes in games or playing hard against each other over the months in practices.”

·      ”We had the kind of depth for which an LM "B" Team would have been competitive with most of the rest of the league.”

·      “This talent and depth was a blessing for team success”

·      “Lower Merion soccer has always been good.  In the 44 year history of the sport at Lower Merion and the 38^th soccer season in a row, the booters have never finished below second place in their league, a record unmatched in any other (LM) sport.”

·      The Aces had many individual stars that played important roles in the team’s success.  But the factor that made Lower Merion’s soccer team stand above the rest was the ability of eleven, any eleven, individual players to blend into a cohesive working team.”

Ninth Inductee Class, September, 2014

James Billington – class of 1946

James Billington played 3 years of varsity soccer for Lower Merion as their starting goalkeeper. During those years the Aces won their league championship all 3 seasons. Their record during that span was 38-6-5, with a 3-year goals against average of .87 per game.

In his junior year, with James in the goal for every minute of every game, his Aces’ team allowed only 5 goals, which was a record that stood for 70 years until last year’s 2014 Aces team broke it. Also in his junior year James was chosen as a co-captain of the All-Philadelphia team which defeated the All-New York team. He was elected captain of his LM team in his senior year, where his squad went undefeated in league play. There were no All-League teams or playoffs back in that era.

Immediately upon graduation James was invited to play with the German-Hungarian team in a league in Philadelphia, which he did until entering Princeton University the following fall. He then played 3 years of varsity soccer at Princeton, where, in his his senior year with James in goal, shutout every team they played except a 1-0 loss to Harvard in double overtime and another 1-0 loss to Yale. After winning a Rhodes scholarship to Oxford he also played some soccer there.

James currently holds the position of Librarian of Congress.

Tenth Inductee Class, September, 2015

Jim Koch – class of 1979

Jim played soccer for Lower Merion in the fall seasons of 1976, ’77, & ’78. He was a starting varsity midfielder at Lower Merion as a junior, and won The Most Improved Player Award as voted by his peers. That was validated next year when he was elected co-captain as a senior, and became the team’s on & off the field leader. Playing out of the center midfield position he ended up as the team’s high scorer and was chosen to the All-Central League team. He was also voted the team’s Most Valuable Offensive Player, and in addition, received the Doug Brown Memorial Award at graduation, which exemplified his devotion to the sport and his positive approach to life.

After graduating from Lower Merion Jim attended and played Division I soccer for the University of Delaware, where he earned a bachelors degree in psychology. When he graduated he continued playing soccer & promoting the game wherever his job took him. While still local he played in the Open Division of the Lower Merion Summer League, then in leagues in St. Louis (where he earned a doctorate from St. Louis University), New York (where he did a postdoc at Mt. Sinai Med Center), and, at the present time, Wisconsin, where he’s a member of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Psychology Dept.

During a year sabbatical in France in 2012-2013 Jim practiced with a top-tier club team in Montrouge, which he says “was an education on how to move the ball as well as surviving tough play, and made me a better player even this late in my career”. Now, In his mid-50’s, Jim still plays soccer in an over-35 men’s indoor league in Wisconsin, more than holding his own against players almost 20 years younger.

During his long soccer career Jim suffered some unfortunate injuries – 2 ACL reconstructions and 3 cartilage surgeries, and yet each time he persevered and was back on the field as soon as possible.

Jim is married to his lovely wife Dana and has two sons, James (25) & Alex (22) both of whom are in graduate programs abroad, James in Athens, Greece and Alex in Durham, England. When they were younger Jim was a coach with the local youth soccer league in Wisconsin where they both played.

Eleventh Inductee Class, November, 2016

Drew Kotler – class of 2007

Drew Kotler was a 4-year starting goalkeeper for Lower Merion’s soccer team in the Fall seasons of 2003, 2004, 2005, & 2006, the only LM Freshman to do so in the school’s history thus far. In 2004, his sophomore year, he led the team to a Central League Title, and currently owns the Lower Merion High School record for the most career shutouts by a keeper with 34. He was also elected to the All-Central League 1^st team in his Sophomore, Junior, & Senior seasons. In both his Junior & Senior years he was an All-Southeastern PA pick, an All-State selection, and an NSCAA Regional All-America choice. As a captain in his Senior year he was chosen the team’s Most Valuable player. During the off-season Drew was also frequently called upon by both high school & college coaches to work local soccer goal-keeping camps.

After being heavily recruited, Drew continued his soccer career at Big-10 member Northwestern University upon graduating from Lower Merion. He red-shirted as a freshman during the 2007 Fall season, and in 2008 helped his team reach the elite eight in the NCAA tournament, despite a nagging injury that kept him on the bench part of the season. The injury continued into the 2009 season but was completely healed in time for his senior season in 2010. Drew put up record numbers that season with a .9 goals against average, 2nd in the Big Ten (behind a keeper that now plays professionally). Drew was also Academic All-Big Ten in 2008, 2009, & 2010. During his college career he also worked off-season as a personal soccer trainer.

After Northwestern Drew went on to medical school at Jefferson where he graduated in 2015. He is currently in his 1st year of residency doing internal medicine. He plans on sub-specializing by doing a hematology & oncology fellowship. Drew also found time to play soccer in the CASA league in Philadelphia.

Drew got married this past March, 2016  to his wonderful wife Elana and they are currently living in the Philadelphia area.