Steve Baumann
Encyclopedia
Steve Baumann was a U.S. soccer forward
who is currently the Chief Executive of the National Soccer Hall of Fame
. He was a first team All American
at the University of Pennsylvania
before playing three seasons in the North American Soccer League
. He later coached the Penn soccer team for six seasons.
in Westport, Connecticut
where he was a two time All Conference high school soccer player. In 1967, Baumann’s sophomore season, Staples won the state championship. In 1969 Staples again took the title, this time on a game winning header by Baumann. He graduated in 1970. He then attended the University of Pennsylvania
, playing on the men’s soccer team from 1971 to 1973. He holds the school’s record for career points with 99 and career assists with 39. He was a 1973 first team All American
. In 2005, he was named to the Penn All Century Team. In 1971, Baumann played one season with the Penn football team as a placekicker. He graduated with a bachelors degree in elementary education and later earned a masters degree in science education at the University of Virginia
. In 1973, the Miami Toros
of the North American Soccer League
selected Baumann in the first round of the NASL College Draft. He spent three seasons in Miami.
and Rosemont College
. He then coached at the University of Pennsylvania
from 1987 to 1993. He finished his six seasons with a 29-51-10 record.
and the Director of Educational Technology Programs at the The Franklin Institute Science Museum. In 2004, he became the Executive Director of the Kidspace Children's Museum
in Pasadena, California. On May 11, 2007, Baumann became the President and Chief Operating Officer of the National Soccer Hall of Fame
.
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
who is currently the Chief Executive of the National Soccer Hall of Fame
National Soccer Hall of Fame
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
. He was a first team All American
Division I First-Team All-American (soccer)
The Division I First-Team All-Americans are the best eleven U.S. college soccer players as selected by the NCAA.-1970–1983:From 1970 to 1983 the NCAA only named defenders and forwards in addition to one goalkeeper.-1983–present:...
at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
before playing three seasons in the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
. He later coached the Penn soccer team for six seasons.
Player
Baumann attended Staples High SchoolStaples High School
Staples High School is a public secondary school, that opened on April 26, 1884 located in the town of Westport, Connecticut, USA. Staples High School is named after its founder Horace Staples who founded the school in 1884. The school was first located at Riverside Ave. and moved to its current...
in Westport, Connecticut
Westport, Connecticut
-Neighborhoods:* Saugatuck – around the Westport railroad station near the southwestern corner of the town – a built-up area with some restaurants, stores and offices....
where he was a two time All Conference high school soccer player. In 1967, Baumann’s sophomore season, Staples won the state championship. In 1969 Staples again took the title, this time on a game winning header by Baumann. He graduated in 1970. He then attended the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
, playing on the men’s soccer team from 1971 to 1973. He holds the school’s record for career points with 99 and career assists with 39. He was a 1973 first team All American
Division I First-Team All-American (soccer)
The Division I First-Team All-Americans are the best eleven U.S. college soccer players as selected by the NCAA.-1970–1983:From 1970 to 1983 the NCAA only named defenders and forwards in addition to one goalkeeper.-1983–present:...
. In 2005, he was named to the Penn All Century Team. In 1971, Baumann played one season with the Penn football team as a placekicker. He graduated with a bachelors degree in elementary education and later earned a masters degree in science education at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
. In 1973, the Miami Toros
Miami Toros
The Miami Gatos were a soccer team based out of Miami that played in the North American Soccer League. The club was previously known as the Washington Darts. After the 1972 season, the team was renamed the Miami Toros...
of the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
selected Baumann in the first round of the NASL College Draft. He spent three seasons in Miami.
Coach
After retiring from playing professionally, Baumann became an elementary school teacher in the Fairfax County Public School system where he taught from 1977 to 1987. During this time, he began coaching at the high school level. Baumann was also an instructor in science education and educational technology at George Mason UniversityGeorge Mason University
George Mason University is a public university based in unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, south of and adjacent to the city of Fairfax. Additional campuses are located nearby in Arlington County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County...
and Rosemont College
Rosemont College
Rosemont College is a coeducational college located in Rosemont in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania. It was originally founded as a women's college. A Catholic college, it is operated by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus...
. He then coached at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
from 1987 to 1993. He finished his six seasons with a 29-51-10 record.
Executive
Baumann has held a number of executive positions including the Vice President of Education and Programs at the Liberty Science CenterLiberty Science Center
Liberty Science Center is an interactive science museum and learning center located in Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey.The center, which first opened in 1993 as New Jersey's first major state science museum, has science exhibits, the largest IMAX Dome theater in the United States,...
and the Director of Educational Technology Programs at the The Franklin Institute Science Museum. In 2004, he became the Executive Director of the Kidspace Children's Museum
Kidspace Children's Museum
Kidspace Children's Museum is located next to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, housed in the former Fanny Morrison Horticultural Center....
in Pasadena, California. On May 11, 2007, Baumann became the President and Chief Operating Officer of the National Soccer Hall of Fame
National Soccer Hall of Fame
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
.