FRANK KOOLE

When Frank Koole died over 15 years ago, the soccer community in New Jersey lost one of it’s greatest contributors and one of its staunchest supporters.

For over a quarter century Frank Koole was a driving force in soccer in northern New Jersey, and it was through his work with the East Rutherford-based Schaefer Soccer League that the sport enjoyed tremendous success and impressive growth.

Such well-know New Jersey soccer powers as Paterson Roma, Newark Ukrainians, Benefica, Vistula, Kearney Scots and Scot Americans were members of the 60-team Schaefer League that Frank Koole helped to create, then directed successfully through the 1960’, 70’s and into the 80’s.

Frank Koole filled a variety of positions with the Schaefer League and the N.J. State Soccer Association. The New Jersey Brewers team of which he was actively involved was one of the most successful franchises in the American League for many years.

His untimely death left a tremendous void in amateur and semi-pro soccer not only in North jersey, but throughout the Garden State. His contributions to the game during a period of its greatest growth in the Garden State will never be forgotten.