Former Francis Marion University soccer defender Josef Schroeder
became the 35th member of the FMU Athletic Hall of Fame when he was
inducted during Homecoming activities on Saturday, Feb. 20,
2010.
A native of Elgin, Ill., Schroeder played four
seasons at Francis Marion from 1994 to 1997. He earned a B.A.
degree in biology from Francis Marion in 1998, and later earned a
M.A. degree in school counseling from Northeastern Illinois
University.
Schroeder now resides in Crystal Lake, Ill., with his wife and
two children. He is in his seventh year as chemistry teacher
at Crystal Lake Central High School, where he is also the
girls’ varsity soccer coach.
In 2009, he guided the Tigers to an 11-7-1 record, the
program’s first-ever regional championship, and a spot in the
sectional semifinals. He was named NWH Coach of the Year
following the 2007 season. He is also co-director of the
Crystal Lake Central High School Summer Soccer Camp.
As a senior at Francis Marion in 1997, he was named a
second-team NSCAA/Umbro All-American as well as earning All-Region
and All-Peach Belt Conference honors.
He was also an All-Region performer in 1996 and earned
All-Conference recognition as a sophomore and junior.
Schroeder finished his career owning the school record for
matched played and started. He started every one of
FMU’s 76 matches during those four seasons and amassed totals
of 15 goals scored and eight assists. The Patriots advanced
to the semifinals of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament each of
his four seasons.
He was twice named his team’s most valuable player, in
1995 and 1997, and was named to the PBC Presidential and FMU Swamp
Fox Athletic-Academic honor rolls each of his last three years.
Following his graduation, he played professionally in the USL
D-3 League.
