Msgr. Jimmy Johnston Award - St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame

Jim Scott

The St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame continues to do our best to Make Things Right. The recipient of the Monsignor Jimmy Johnston Award for 2019 is Mr. Jim Scott. We must not forget where it started. If Jim Scott did not do what he thought was right, there probably would not be a Soccer Club that bears his name today. During the early years of the club, Mr Scott would sometimes take funds that were meant for family needs, help pay for an extra uniform, ball, or trip. If not for this unselfish character, Scott Gallagher would have fallen by the wayside and hundreds and thousands of young men and ladies would not be reaping the benefits all in the name of Mr. Jim Scott.

Luis Soffner accepting in behalf of the Jim Scott Family

Luis Soffner, grandson of Jim and Betty Joe Scott, and Jim Leeker

The Jim Scott Family

Memorials/Donations
St. Louis Scott-Gallagher Living Legacy Fund : One Soccer Park Drive, Fenton Missouri 63026, or online at: http://www.slsgsoccer.com/community/living-legacy-scholarship and click on the green Jim Scott Scholarship button.

Obituary
A true St. Louis legend, Jim Scott passed away peacefully on August 27th, 2019 at his home in High Hill, Missouri following a brave, lengthy battle with PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy). Jim was the beloved husband of Betty Jo Scott (Krebs) for 57 years. Though he touched countless lives, Jim’s greatest legacy will be his family. Jim was a dearly loved father to John (Judi) Scott, Julie Scott (Soffner) and Mickey (Lori) Scott, and dear grandfather of Amanda (Nick) Gerth, Luis Soffner, Jim (Megan) Scott, Jessica (Joe) Anderson, Michael (Kristin) Scott, Maria Soffner and Charlie Soffner. Jim was also blessed with two great-grandchildren, Stella and Henry Gerth. Known and loved by many as “Scotty” and “The Captain”, Jim will be remembered as a dear husband, father, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and loyal loving friend. As he pushed through the end-stages of PSP, Jim was tenderly cared for by his beloved wife Betty and by his caregivers from Loving Hands Hospice in Warrenton, Missouri, who are true angels on earth.Jim retired on his beautiful property in High Hill, MO following a successful career as a well-respected business owner in the mechanical contracting industry. In addition to his professional success, Scotty was an accomplished and talented musician. In the early 70’s, Jim Scott and The Travelers became THE musical talent to see in St. Louis. Loyal followers would line up for hours at local establishments to get a seat and enjoy the music. Many occupancy permits were ignored over the years! The Travelers recorded two albums and covered the bluegrass circuit for well over a decade. Jim’s magnetic personality and impressive talent earned him recognition in 1975 when he was named Bluegrass Vocalist of the Year. Jim Scott truly was our “leader of the band”.

Jim’s entrepreneurial spirit continued in 1977 when he founded the Scott-Gallagher Soccer Club out of the family home in Florissant, MO. Intended to be a small, north county club where local kids could play competitive soccer under great coaches, Scott-Gallagher Soccer Club grew beyond the family’s wildest dreams. The original club consisted of four select boy’s teams. Just a few years after its inception, the Scott- Gallagher U-19 boys team won the club’s first National Championship in the 1981 McGuire Cup. In 1983, the club received wide recognition for its unprecedented achievement of winning four Regional Championships in the same year. In 1984, Scott-Gallagher S.C. notched its second McGuire Cup National Championship, and then again in 1991. The club later merged with Busch/St. Louis and Metro United in Illinois. Regularly ranked among Soccer America’s top soccer programs, the club continues today under the name of St. Louis Scott-Gallagher, serving thousands of young girls and boys in the St. Louis and Metro East areas in their passion to play. For these accomplishments and for his significant contributions to the St. Louis soccer community, Jim Scott will be honored with the Monsignor Jimmy Johnston Award at this year’s St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame Induction Banquet on October 11th, 2019.

Our memories over the years are full of love, laughter and great fun. Betty, John, Julie, Mick and their families are immensely grateful for the countless stories flowing in from friends and loved ones who have enjoyed the music, the soccer and mostly the friendship and laughter over the years. If you have attended an infamous “Jim-Fest” in High Hill; or sat on a soccer field cheering your child or grandchild; or picked up a banjo, guitar or fiddle in a jam session by a campfire, we ask you to raise a toast today in Scotty’s name.

PREVIOUS HONOREES

2021 and 2020 no honoree due to covid-19 2019 Jim Scott 2018 Jim Nolan 2017 Bob Reid 2016 Bob Brunette 2015 George Mihaljevic 2014 Rich Meisemann 2013 Dave Berwin 2012 John and Pete Traina 2011 Bob Kehoe 2010 Jack Lyons 2009 The Kutis Family 2008 Ray “Goose” Gilliam 2007 Frank Borghi 2006 Jack Mackenzie 2005 Harry Keough 2004 Leo Sanders 2003 Bob Fuchs 2002 Mike Kalist & Paul Scovill 2001 Joe Numi 2000 Msgr. Larry Walsh 1999 Frank Gambaro 1998 Dr. Ed Flynn 1997 Patrick Lee 1996 Charlie Shinabarger 1995 Art Hofer 1994 Jim Dykes 1993 Rev. Larry Herzog 1992 Terry Michler 1991 John Schaper 1990 Rev. Jim Flood 1989 Greg Raftery 1988 Mayor Jim Eagan 1987 Ed Lovinguth 1986 Ebbie Dunn 1985 Larry Walsh 1984 Pete Sorber 1983 Tom Twellman 1982 Bob Guelker 1981 Gene Baker 1980 Pat McBride 1979 Ron Coleman

THE HISTORY OF THE MSGR. JIMMY JOHNSTON AWARD

The 1919-1920 Soccer Season saw the Ben Millers of the Local Amateur League win the National Open Cup Title by defeating a team of professionals from Fore River Mass. The Ben Millers were composed of all native St. Louisans, the first of many National Championships made up of American born players to capture the Cup. The winning goal was scored by the great Jimmy Dunn, as the Millers won 2-1. The captain and halfback was Msgr. Jimmy Johnston (at the time was a seminarian). In 1970, Msgr. Johnston organized a 50th reunion of the remaining member of that squad. They gathered at the Carpenters Hall on Hampton, and had such a great time, they decided to do it again in 1971 and invite other Soccer luminaries of the area to join them. Thus was for the “OLD TIME SOCCER PLAYERS HALL OF FAME IN ST. LOUIS.” Twenty-two stars of the past were inducted on November 11, 1971. Since then, over 900 players, coaches, sponsors, referees and administrators from the past 150 years have been enshrined, many posthumously. In 2003, the organization adopted the name of “THE ST. LOUIS SOCCER HALL OF FAME.” Msgr. Jimmy Johnston was born on December 8, 1896 and passed away June 11, 1979. A memorial plaque in his honor is presented at the Annual Induction Banquet to an individual who has possessed the same passion for the game and has spread the gospel of Soccer to make it the greatest sport in the world.