Sorber, Pete 1988

Gene “Pete” Sorber, St. Louis Community Colleges – Florissant Valley

St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley hired a gem, when one legendary coach, Harry Keough left Florissant Valley to take over the men’s soccer program at St. Louis University in 1967 and recommended Pete Sorber for the job. In short time, the Florissant Valley Norsemen became a national power under the tutelage of Coach Sorber. A very laidback, caring individual Sorber, did a fantastic job identifying talent and guiding young men on and off the playing field.

In thirty years at Florissant Valley, Coach Sorber’s teams compiled a 415-85-22 record. The creation of a dynasty was an understatement when came to the most dominant program in NJCAA men’s soccer history, the Norsemen won 10 NJCAA National Championships, won eighteen Region 16 titles, finished runners-up twice in the national tournament and Sorber was named NJCAA National Coach of the Year five times. Over the stretch run of Sorber’s coaching career, the Norseman had 72 NJCAA All-Americans, many of whom went on to four year college programs and played professionally in the NASL, MISL or NPSL.

Coach Sorber never had a team or a player he didn’t want to help become better as a collective group or individual. Sorber was quoted as saying in an interview with the NJCAA Review, “I can’t name just one special player or special team because that would leave out all the others.” This philosophy has proven itself time and time again, as many of his former players have gone on to coach all levels of soccer.

Sorber and his wife Marlene’s only son Mike attended St. Louis University and had a stellar playing and coaching career, as he was a member of the U.S. Men’s National Team during the 1994 World Cup, played in the MLS and also was an assistant coach with the U.S. Men’s National Team.