Soccer in Oneonta (NY) (Images of Sports). This item is unavailable.Soccer in Oneonta (NY) (Images of Sports)

Soccer in Oneonta was practically nonexistent until the 1950s. Rural schools in the region played the game because it was inexpensive and, in many cases, because the schools could not field six- or eleven-man football teams. The first organized soccer team began in 1955 at what was then called Oneonta State Teachers College, today's State University of New York College at Oneonta, and a year later, a team formed at Hartwick College. Both teams improved their skills in the 1960s and 1970s, and eventually the town was home to national champions from both schools. Interest spread to Oneonta High School, and youth soccer leagues became tremendously popular. Soccer in Oneonta depicts the teams, the players, the sport, and how this city in the northern Catskills got its nickname, Soccertown, USA.

Mark Simonson, Oneonta city historian, grew up as the popularity of soccer exploded in his hometown. He is a freelance columnist for the Daily Star, as well as other independent history publications. He previously authored Oneonta.