Posted: 01/19/2012
Dr. Thomas Fleck, Jr., who recorded a 57-52-10 record over nine years while at the helm for the Lehigh men’s soccer team, passed away on December 24, 2011, after a long battle with dementia. Fleck led the Mountain Hawks to the 1971 MAC Championship as Lehigh finished the season ranked No. 16 nationally. His memorial service will be held Saturday, January 21st at 1 p.m. in Florida.
"His tenure here and championship is very important not only to Lehigh but to the players on his team," said current men’s soccer head coach Dean Koski. "In hearing and listening to the memories and stories, it was clear he had a profound impact on their lives and that is an important legacy to have in and of itself. I also had the privilege of being coached by Tomas Fleck when I was getting my coaching licenses and I found him to be a great advocate of the game and mentor. Certainly, his career post Lehigh and through the NSCAA has been one of his devotion to youth soccer and soccer in our country."
That 1971 team finished the year 10-3-1, owning one of the best winning percentages in Lehigh Soccer history and was the first Lehigh soccer team to post 10 wins in a season.
Combining his passions for teaching and the game of soccer, Fleck’s leadership was invaluable in the advancement of youth soccer in America. A 40-year member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, Fleck served as president of the NSCAA for two years (1984-85), Fleck was instrumental in the establishment of the NSCAA Academies, the association's soccer coaching education division. As a member of the NSCAA Executive Committee, Fleck championed youth soccer and was instrumental in developing the youth coach membership category. He served as a member of its teaching staff for more than a quarter of a century. In 2005, Fleck was chosen as the 63rd recipient of the Honor Award, the highest award bestowed by the NSCAA.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Dr. Fleck Foundation, www.drfleckfoundation.com
Schedule for Saturday, January 21
1 p.m.: Memorial Service at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 9001 106th Avenue N., Largo, FL 33777
Reception at Church immediately following service.
4 p.m.: Celebration of Dr. Tom Fleck’s Life and Legacy at St. Petersburg Marriott Clearwater - Grand Ballroom Salon 1
Host Hotel and "Celebration of Dr. Tom Fleck’s Life and Legacy" Information
St. Petersburg Marriott Clearwater | 12600 Roosevelt Blvd | St. Petersburg, FL 33716 | 727-572-7800