The Harvey G. Foster Award - 2016: Joe Échelle ’62

2016: Joe Échelle ’62

For his pioneering spirit to bring soccer to Notre Dame and help it spread throughout the United States, Joe Échelle ’62 is honored with this award. 

His family ravaged by World War II, Échelle rose from a refugee camp of displaced persons in Austria to help establish soccer at Notre Dame, where he organized, coached, and captained the first soccer team. These contributions led Lamar Hunt, the longtime owner of professional football and soccer teams, to nickname Échelle the “Knute Rockne of Notre Dame Soccer.” 

He went on to a distinguished career as an executive in professional soccer. He served as the general manager of the Dallas Tornado, the Denver Dynamos, and the Caribous of Colorado. At the national level, Échelle oversaw sales for the Bicentennial Soccer Cup, a mini-world cup in six cities. He was promoted to Director of Club Services for 24 teams and was named President of the American Soccer League Management. 

As a consultant, Échelle handled the strategic marketing plan for the U.S. Soccer Properties National Teams in preparation for the 1994 World Cup staged in the United States. He continues to offer sports and media consulting services today. 

“I am honored and privileged to be selected by the Notre Dame Alumni Association as the recipient of the 2016 Harvey G. Foster Award. Receiving this award is such an amazing honor, which would not have been possible without the pioneering support of the Notre Dame Athletic Department, ND publications, my talented soccer teammates, ’62 classmates, and family. Thank you for selecting me as a representative of the sport of soccer. To be among the roster of prestigious Harvey G. Foster Award winners is indeed an inspiration I will forever treasure.”