US Soccer Release
BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Former LIU Brooklyn men's soccer player and coach Dr. Joe Machnik was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2017, it was announced by US Soccer last week at halftime of the Major League Soccer All Star Game. Machnik, called "American Soccer's Renaissance Man," was elected on the Builder Ballot. Details about the induction ceremony will be released at a later date.
An LIU Brooklyn Hall of Famer inducted in 2001, Machnik has been involved with soccer in the United States in almost every way; as a player, coach, referee, instructor, match commissioner and now as a broadcaster for FOX Sports.
"Induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame is the ultimate award in American soccer. To be recognized as a Builder of the sport that has captivated the passion of our country and has provided playing opportunities for millions of boys and girls and men and women is, indeed, an honor," Machnik said. "I want to thank my teammates, the players I coached and officiated, the coaches and campers I taught, the referees I managed, my colleagues and friends in many soccer related projects and the broadcasters I now work with, who have made every moment in a sixty-year career, a joy. Most of all, I would like to thank the extraordinary leaders who mentored my journey and my family who supported every step in what has been a charmed life in the sport that I love. I would like to thank all those who saw fit to honor my life in this way."
Machnik, a Greenpoint, Brooklyn native, started his soccer career as a goalkeeper at nearby Brooklyn Tech, before becoming one of the first recruited athletes to play on LIU's newly established men's soccer team in 1961. Machnik earned All-America honors in 1962 as a keeper for the Blackbirds; he and his teammates helped turn the program into one of the best in the nation, earning a berth to the 1963 NCAA tournament.
Four years later, he was named head coach of the program at the age of 23, and over three seasons, compiled a 37-8-2 record. He led LIU to the NCAA championship game in 1966, and to the NCAA semifinals in 1967.
"On behalf of all members of Blackbird Nation, I'd like to congratulate Dr. Machnik on his election to the National Soccer Hall of Fame," LIU Athletic Director Brad Cohen said. "It's a tremendous honor for one of our most distinguished alumni, and we are awed by all he has accomplished since his time in downtown Brooklyn. Dr. Machnik has spent his career advancing the game of soccer across the United States, but started that journey right here at LIU, first as a player and then a coach. We are grateful to have been a part of his storied career along the way, as he laid the foundation for the outstanding LIU Brooklyn men's soccer program we have today."
Machnik went on to be a member of the 1965 US Open Cup champion New York Ukrainians, which performed in the old German-American Soccer League (now the Cosmopolitan Soccer League). Machnik also played semi-pro with the Newark Ukrainian Sitch in the American Soccer League from 1967-68.
After leaving LIU Brooklyn, Machnik began an illustrious 30-year career at the University of New Haven, spending time as head coach of men's and women's soccer, men's ice hockey and as the Chargers' athletic director, a role in which he oversaw the introduction of women's sports at UNH. He also spent time serving as Assistant Professor in the School of Business, Department of Sport Management. Dr. Machnik received a Ph.D. from the University of Utah in 1973.
Since 1977, Dr. Machnik has run No. 1 Soccer Camps, a program that has helped develop over 80,000 young players and seen its alumni play professionally and with the National Team. Establishing himself as one of the best goalkeeping coaches in the nation, he eventually went on to serve as an assistant coach of the US Men's Soccer team in 1990, when they reached its first World Cup in 40 years.
While coaching was his prime involvement with the sport, Dr. Machnik has become one of the top officials in the game. He has served as head of referees for three different professional soccer leagues, including the Major Indoor Soccer League, Major League Soccer and the National Premier Soccer League. Spending 15 years with the MLS, he was the league's Vice President of Game Operations and served as Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner for On-Field Competition for MLS and Director of Officiating Services for Soccer United Marketing (SUM), its parent company. Dr. Machnik also achieved National Referee status in both US Soccer and NISOA officiating, and was a referee at the NCAA National Championship Game of 1988 (Indiana vs. Howard).
Machnik also currently serves as the assignor for women's soccer officials for the Northeast Conference. He has also spent time as a match commissioner for FIFA and CONCACAF, overseeing World Cup qualifiers and CONCACAF Champions League matches. He's now FOX Sports' Soccer Rules Analyst for events like the World Cup, UEFA Champions League and Copa America.
Dr. Machnik has been named to the LIU Brooklyn and University of New Haven's Athletic Halls of Fame and to the Connecticut and New England Soccer Halls of Fame, as well as the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials of America Hall.