Walter Chyzowych

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Walter Chyzowych (April 20, 1937 – September 2, 1994) was a Polish-born American soccer forward and coach. Born in Sambor, Poland (now in Ukraine), he moved to the United States early and later used the Ukrainian name Volodymyr Chyzhovych. His older brother Gene Chyzowych was also a soccer player and coach.

At Temple University (1957–1961), Chyzowych was a two-time first-team All-American and set a school goal-scoring record with 25 goals. He played for several clubs in the United States and Canada, including the Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals, Newark Sitch, Toronto City, and the Philadelphia Spartans in 1967.

Chyzowych earned three caps for the United States national team between 1964 and 1965. He began coaching while still playing, leading Philadelphia Textile (1961–1964, 1966–1975) and serving as an assistant with the Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals (1971–1975). He was the director of coaching for the U.S. Soccer Federation from 1975 to 1981 and was the United States national team head coach from 1976 to 1980. His notable national-team moment was a 2–0 upset of Hungary in 1979; his overall record as national coach was 8–14–10.

In 1986, Chyzowych became head coach at Wake Forest University, guiding the Demon Deacons to four NCAA bids and one ACC championship in eight years. He also contributed as a broadcaster, working with Gene Hart on the 1973 NASL Finals and as a touchline reporter for Soccer Bowl ’77.

Chyzowych was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1997.