JOE-MAX MOORE In the late 1970’s and early 80’s, Oklahomans would fill Skelly Stadium to watch the Tulsa Roughnecks play in the North American Soccer League. At all of those games was a young man who, like thousands of others in the stands, dreamed of playing the beautiful game. For many, playing in club leagues, high schools, or colleges fulfilled the dream. But not for Joe-Max Moore, he had a higher goal – to play for the United States National Team. Growing up with professional soccer players giving you tips on how to play the game was an advantage that most youngsters never have. But if your father owns the Roughnecks and your backyard is their practice facility, you have an even bigger advantage. And when you take the field, that hard-working ethic that was a Roughneck trademark seems to follow your career. Joe-Max and family left Tulsa for California when he was 14. Upon graduation from high school, he won a soccer scholarship at UCLA and eventually secured a place on the 1992 Olympic team. In a game against Italy he scored a bending free kick goal – a skill he became known for. The US Mens National Team noticed his talent and he was selected to be on three World Cup Squads: 1994, 1998, & 2002. He played in both the 98 and 2002 games and at the time of his retirement was the third highest scoring player in US team history with 24 goals. In between World Cup appearances, Joe-Max played in Germany for FC Saarbruecken, for the New England Revolution, and for Everton in the English Premier League. He and his wife, Martha, and son, Tommy, live in Florida where Joe-Max is beginning a new career as coach for Tommy.

WALTER SCHNOOR If you played soccer or owned a VW in the 1960’s in Tulsa, you knew Walter Schnoor. Arriving in Tulsa in 1958 and speaking not a word of English, Walter taught himself the language by watching movies. “I was living in the YMCA in downtown Tulsa, and there were several theaters close by. I saw that they were showing films I had seen in Germany. So, I went to the theaters and watched the American language versions because I knew the dialogue. I watched “The Glenn Miller Story” and “From Here To Eternity” several times.” Walter also made himself learn 20 words of English a day so he could talk to his customers at the VW dealership. He also bought himself an automobile – and it wasn’t a VW. It was a 1952 Plymouth! But with an automobile, Walter could go to drive-in movies and learn the language. Tiring of living in the YMCA, Walter rented an apartment from a lady who was kind enough to introduce him to her niece – Peggy. “We’ve been married over 40 years and we have four lovely children: Patricia, Carrie, Christie, and Ricky,” said Walter. While driving that Plymouth around Tulsa, Walter spotted a soccer game at Rogers High School. Soon he was not just playing but also agreeing to coach, referee, and organize matches. From that came Tulsa International Soccer Club, an adult soccer organization that would provide the impetus for the creation of both Green Country and Oklahoma Soccer Association. With the success of youth and adult soccer by the late 1960’s, Walter moved on to push for varsity athletics in high schools and colleges. “I wanted scholarships to college for soccer players,” said Walter. With the help of Getty Oil Company, he was able to start the first varsity college soccer team at Tulsa University. He was the first coach and for six years he piled TU’s soccer players in his blue VW van and drove across the state playing matches. As the first head coach of Oklahoma Soccer Association, Walter set the standard for training and player development. Today he continues to work at his German Motor Shop and share his life long love of soccer.

JUERGEN GOHLKE When ten-year-old Juergen Gohlke left his native Germany for the United States in 1945, he knew very little of his destination – Shawnee, Oklahoma. But within a few years, this humble man who (according to his son, Henry) avoids the spotlight for his accomplishments, would become one of the founders of what we now call Oklahoma Soccer Association. After graduating from high school in Shawnee, Juergen began working for Shawnee Steel Company, a job he would hold until his retirement in 1996, and participating in his favorite sport – soccer. Juergen found a fellow enthusiast in Father Paul Zahler at St. Gregorys College (as it was called then) who was training and coaching players for the college team. Between them, they began to schedule games with other state colleges and universities that had international students longing to continue playing soccer. During this time, Juergen married Stella and raised their own soccer player – Henry. Not only was Juergen playing, coaching, and officiating matches, but by the middle 1960’s it was becoming evident that Oklahoma had a large number of adults and youth who wanted to play soccer. Juergen became a messenger for soccer development in the state as he traveled to various colleges as a referee and coach. In 1967 he was asked by Father Paul to write a draft of Oklahoma Soccer Association’s constitution and bylaws, a task he thoroughly enjoyed. Henry commented that he remembers piles of documents lining the family living room as his father duplicated copies for the organization. After nine years of serving as Secretary for OSA, Juergen stepped down but continued to coach, officiate, and administer soccer. His dream of soccer in Oklahoma has been fulfilled due to his many years of hard work and dedication.