First soccer coach at Southern Methoist university, Jim Benedek, honored at FC Dallas game

by PegNews wire

FRISCO — Former Dallas Tornado player and SMU head coach, the late Jim Benedek, is this year’s inductee to the Texans Credit Union Walk of Fame at Pizza Hut Park. Benedek is the first inductee to earn the honor posthumously. The induction ceremony took place on Sat., Oct. 17, prior to FC Dallas’ final regular season home game against the Colorado Rapids.

Benedek’s son Grant Benedek accepted the honor on behalf of his father and was joined by representatives from Texans Credit Union, FC Dallas, and the Hunt Sports Group at the Walk of Fame.

Benedek, the first head coach for men’s soccer at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, led the Mustangs to four NCAA tournaments and posted a 129-31-15 record in his career. He started his own soccer career in 1965 as an All-American left midfielder at Ithaca College and later went on to become a member of the 1968 U.S. Olympic team, a Pan American team and the U.S. National team. Spending six seasons in the North American Soccer League, Benedek’s career included stints with the Houston Stars, Kansas City Spurs, and Dallas Tornados. His coaching career also included coaching the women’s soccer team at North Lake College in Irving from 1999 to 2008.

Previous inductees to the Texans Credit Union Walk of Fame were Neil Cohen and Bobby Moffat (2008); Kenny Cooper Sr. and Schellas Hyndman (2007); Ron Newman and Jeff Agoos (2006); and Lamar Hunt, Gordon Jago, Bill Kinder, Carla Overbeck, Kyle Rote Jr. and Tatu, along with four great moments in Texas soccer history (inaugural 2005 class).

Source: FC Dallas