Mihaljevic, George 2018

Signing his first professional contract at 12 and 4 short years later was made Captain of the Junior National Soccer Club of his native Yugoslavia. Soon after that George fled Communism and at the age of 21 made it to the United States and particularly St. Louis the hot bed of soccer in the U.S.. Always a student of the game, he knew of the 6 men from St. Louis that were on the 1950 World Cup Team that beat England, the dominance of the Kutis S.C., the Khoury and CYC leagues that transformed young children into soccer players. One of George’s dreams did come true when he became a member of the Kutis S.C. in 1957. However, while becoming a citizen, George felt an obligation to serve in the Armed Forces. Enlisting in the Army and while serving his country, his talents on the soccer field allowed him to be a member of the United States Military Soccer Team and compete on a National and International level.
After his tour of duty, George returned to St. Louis and quickly established the White Star S.C. that developed players like McBride, Gentile, Schwarzen, Pisani to name a few and took them to State and National titles. His international contacts also allowed him to invite Bayern Munich to a Friendly at the new Busch Stadium. In 1966 George was named Assistant Coach of the newly formed St. Louis Stars and after the 67 Season, he realized he wanted to once again go into another direction. George made his way to Germany to learn and observe the everchanging styles of Soccer.
Returning to St. Louis in 1968, George established the George Mihaljevic Soccer Club. The first soccer club to be incorporated in the United States. The young men and ladies that would learn the game by the teaching methods developed by George. The Club participated on the local, national and international stages and continues to this day in Folsom, California where the Club is run by George’s son Joe.