In 1972, the SIUE men’s soccer team defeated Oneonta College 1-0 to clinch the Division II National Championship. This was SIUE’s first national championship in any sport and its first D-II championship in soccer.

During this season the team achieved a record of 11-0-3.

Rick Benben, the Cougars’ goalie that year said he still remembers the goal SIUE scored, which ultimately won the game.

“It was a really nice goal,” Benben said. “I think we played well. It was a tight game and, in hindsight, every kick of the ball meant something.”

SIUE player Tom Twellman — now 62 — said the most difficult part was that the game occurred in the middle of an ice storm, causing the field to be mostly frozen and forcing many players to wear high-top tennis shoes for traction.

“It was a shame that we had to play the final game in those conditions,” Twellman said. “But I thought we out-played the other team. Under those conditions it was a battle, but we did it and came out victorious.”

Benben said once the game started, he didn’t think much about the importance the game held.

“I think once the game starts, it really just comes down to playing,” Benben said. “I really don’t think you’re thinking about the magnitude of it. You’re just concentrating on doing your job. You think more about the importance of it once it’s over.”

That year, the team was under the instruction of SIUE Hall of Fame head coach Bob Guelker. Guelker was head coach at Saint Louis University from 1959-66 and reigned as head coach at SIUE from 1967-85. While with the Cougars, Guelker held a record of 216-67-21. In 2005, he was inducted into the SIUE Athletics Hall of Fame.

“Oh my god, Guelker was extraordinary. It was really just amazing,” Benben said. “Coach Guelker was, at the time, the Phil Jackson or Bill Belichick, whoever you want to pick as your best coach of any sport, of college soccer. I was just extremely fortunate that he ended up at SIUE after he left SLU and I had the opportunity to play for him.”

Twellman said that Coach Guelker impacted his life and playing abilities.

“He was a very good man,” Twellman said. “He taught us a lot about life, he talked about the intangibles and how to be a good person and athlete.”

After graduating SIUE in 1973, Benben carried on his love of soccer. He joined the SIUE coaching staff that year and remained assistant coach under Guelker’s guidance until 1982. During this time, he helped bring SIUE its second championship win in 1979, when the Cougars won the DI championship.

In 1982, Benben made the move to Kansas City, Mo., to become assistant coach and director of player personnel for the Kansas City Comets. This was a Major Indoor Soccer League team and Benben remained assistant coach for them through the 1987 season.

Benben is currently the head coach for the University of Missouri Kansas City men’s soccer team and is entering his 17th season in this position.

“As the years go by, I think I more clearly understand the magnitude of that game and experience,” Benben said. “To think that, not only that year we won the championship but pretty much every year from the time I entered through 1980, we were at the top of collegiate soccer, and that is pretty extraordinary. I feel really lucky to have been a part of that.”

Once Twellman graduated, he was drafted in both soccer and baseball but chose the baseball route. He played professional baseball for three years with the Houston Astros and is currently president and CEO of Hair Saloon Holdings, commonly known in the St. Louis area as the Hair Saloon For Men.

“I’m proud to think of those memories,” Twellman said. “They are some of the best memories I’ve had. I looked forward to every practice and every game. We couldn’t have had a better group of guys. It was a tremendous experience.”

Benben said that these memories are some of his favorites when looking back over his life.

“These memories are built, and I appreciate them more and more every day,” Benben said. “The older you get, the more you appreciate your teammates and coaches. We had a team full of fantastic people. There’s no more profound way to say it. They did a lot for us. They certainly shaped my life, and I think a lot of the guys would say the same thing.”

Caitlin Grove

Via alestlelive.com