Stephen Negoesco
Encyclopedia
Stephen Negoesco or Stephen Negoescu (September 12, 1925–) is a Romanian-American
former soccer player and coach.
Born in New Jersey
, Negoesco returned with his father to Romania
after his mother's death. While living with relatives, he discovered and took up soccer. His skills would help Negoesco survive and escape imprisonment by the Nazis during their occupation of Romania in World War II
, and after the war, he played briefly in the Romanian Football League before returning to the United States.
Settling in California
, Negoesco enrolled at the University of San Francisco
in 1947 where he studied biology
. He also resumed playing soccer, coached by Gus Donoghue. Negoesco led the Dons to the 1949 California collegiate title and the 1950 NCAA co-championship with Penn State, and he also earned two All-American honors during this period.
After graduating in 1951, Negoesco taught in the San Francisco Unified School District
for a decade. He then was hired as USF's men's soccer coach in 1962, a post he would hold until his retirement in 2000. During that period, Negoesco would coach the Dons to 544 victories, 22 conference titles, and four NCAA titles (1966, 1975, 1976, and 1980).
Among the players he mentored were former All-Americans John Doyle and Andy Atuegbu
, as well as former Peruvian president Alejandro Toledo
.
After his retirement from coaching men's soccer, Negoesco was inducted to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America hall of fame in 2003, joining his former coach, Gus Donoghue. Negoesco Stadium
on the USF campus was named in his honor.
Romanian-American
A Romanian American is a citizen of the United States who has significant Romanian heritage. For the 2000 US Census, 367,310 Americans indicated Romanian as their first ancestry, while 462,526 persons declared to have Romanian ancestry...
former soccer player and coach.
Born in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, Negoesco returned with his father to Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
after his mother's death. While living with relatives, he discovered and took up soccer. His skills would help Negoesco survive and escape imprisonment by the Nazis during their occupation of Romania in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and after the war, he played briefly in the Romanian Football League before returning to the United States.
Settling in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, Negoesco enrolled at the University of San Francisco
University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco , is a private, Jesuit/Catholic university located in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1855, USF was established as the first university in San Francisco. It is the second oldest institution for higher learning in California and the tenth-oldest university of...
in 1947 where he studied biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
. He also resumed playing soccer, coached by Gus Donoghue. Negoesco led the Dons to the 1949 California collegiate title and the 1950 NCAA co-championship with Penn State, and he also earned two All-American honors during this period.
After graduating in 1951, Negoesco taught in the San Francisco Unified School District
San Francisco Unified School District
San Francisco Unified School District , established in 1851, is the only public school district within the City and County of San Francisco, and the first in the state of California...
for a decade. He then was hired as USF's men's soccer coach in 1962, a post he would hold until his retirement in 2000. During that period, Negoesco would coach the Dons to 544 victories, 22 conference titles, and four NCAA titles (1966, 1975, 1976, and 1980).
Among the players he mentored were former All-Americans John Doyle and Andy Atuegbu
Andy Atuegbu
Andy Atuegbu is a former Nigerian football midfielder. Atuegbu was a star midfielder for the University of San Francisco from 1974 to 1977. The Dons won the NCAA championship two of Atuegbu's four seasons with the team, 1975 and 1976. His outstanding play led to his selection as a first team...
, as well as former Peruvian president Alejandro Toledo
Alejandro Toledo
Alejandro Celestino Toledo Manrique is a politician who was President of Peru from 2001 to 2006. He was elected in April 2001, defeating former President Alan García...
.
After his retirement from coaching men's soccer, Negoesco was inducted to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America hall of fame in 2003, joining his former coach, Gus Donoghue. Negoesco Stadium
Negoesco Stadium
Negoesco Stadium is a 3,000 seat soccer stadium located in San Francisco, California, on the campus of University of San Francisco. Named for legendary USF Soccer Coach Steve Negoesco. It is the home field for the men's and women's soccer teams. Negoesco is also the primary home field for the San...
on the USF campus was named in his honor.