Walter Bahr facts for kids
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Bahr (left) with Joe Biden at a Philadelphia Union match
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Walter Alfred Bahr | ||
| Date of birth | April 1, 1927 | ||
| Place of birth | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | ||
| Date of death | June 18, 2018 (aged 91) | ||
| Place of death | Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| Philadelphia Nationals | |||
| 1953 | → Montréal Hakoah | ||
| – | Uhrik Truckers | ||
| – | → Montréal Sparta | ||
| – | Brookhattan | ||
| – | Philadelphia United German-Hungarians | ||
| National team | |||
| 1948–1957 | United States | 19 | (1) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 1969–1970 | Philadelphia Spartans | ||
| 1970–1973 | Temple Owls | ||
| 1974–1988 | Penn State Nittany Lions | ||
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Walter Alfred Bahr (born April 1, 1927 – died June 18, 2018) was an American professional soccer player. Many people think he was one of the best soccer players from the United States. He was the captain of the U.S. national team for a long time. He played in the 1950 FIFA World Cup when the U.S. team famously beat England 1–0. Walter Bahr's three sons, Casey, Chris, and Matt, also played professional soccer. Chris and Matt later became placekickers in the National Football League, winning two Super Bowl championships each.
Contents
Walter Bahr's Soccer Journey
Early Life and Playing Days
Walter Bahr grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He started playing soccer when he was 11 years old. He joined the Philadelphia Nationals team in the American Soccer League. Even though he was an amateur player, he was very good.
In 1949, a former Scottish soccer star named Tommy Muirhead praised Bahr. He wrote that Bahr was good enough to play for any top team in the United Kingdom. This was a huge compliment!
After playing in the 1948 Summer Olympics, Bahr became a professional player. He helped his club win ASL titles in 1950, 1951, 1953, and 1955. In 1953, he also helped Montréal Hakoah FC reach the Canadian final. He later played for other teams like Uhrik Truckers and Montreal Sparta, winning more titles.
Coaching Career
Back then, professional soccer players didn't earn a lot of money. So, Walter Bahr also worked as a high school teacher. Later, he became a soccer coach.
He coached the Philadelphia Spartans from 1969 to 1970. Then, he moved to college coaching, leading Temple University from 1970 to 1973. From 1974 to 1988, he coached Penn State. He led the Penn State Nittany Lions to 12 NCAA tournament appearances. In 1979, his team reached the semifinals, and he was named College Coach of the Year. He even coached two of his sons during his time at Penn State.
Walter Bahr continued a special coaching tradition at Penn State. He was linked to Coach Bill Jeffrey, who coached Penn State in the 1920s. Jeffrey also coached the U.S. national team in the FIFA World Cup. Walter Bahr, who was captain of Jeffrey's 1950 U.S. team, took over coaching Penn State years later. This created a long line of coaches connected through Penn State soccer.
Playing for the U.S. National Team
Bahr joined the U.S. national team in 1949. He played in 19 games and scored one goal. His most famous moment was in the 1950 FIFA World Cup. The U.S. team was a huge underdog, but they shocked the world by beating England 1–0. Walter Bahr made the pass that led to the winning goal by Joe Gaetjens.
Because of this amazing win, the entire 1950 U.S. team was put into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1976. Walter Bahr was also featured in a 2009 documentary called A Time for Champions, where he talked about that famous game. He was even played by actor Wes Bentley in the 2005 movie The Game of Their Lives, which is also known as "Miracle Match."
Family and Legacy
Walter Bahr's three sons, Casey, Chris, and Matt, all became professional soccer players in the North American Soccer League. Casey and Chris also played for the U.S. Olympic team. Chris and Matt later became successful placekickers in the NFL, winning Super Bowl championships.
Walter Bahr was the last living member of that famous 1950 U.S. World Cup team. He passed away on June 18, 2018, in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, after complications from a broken hip. He is remembered as a true legend of American soccer.
See also
In Spanish: Walter Bahr para niños
- List of Pennsylvania State University Olympians
