Class of 2025

Andre Blake, Roy Gurnon, Tom Lang, James O’Brien, Catherine Shankweiler,

Junior Salmon, Hank Steinbrecher, Tiffany Weimer

Andre Blake

“Andre has an incredible record of success at every level”, said Bill Duffy, President of the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame. “His success and leadership at UConn launched an outstanding pro and international career as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.”

Blake registered 37 shutouts and a 46-10-12 record in three years at the University of Connecticut (2011-2013), earning Conference Goalkeeper of the Year awards each season (two Big East, one American Athletic Conference). A semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy as a junior, he also earned All-Big East first team, NSCAA First Team All-American, Soccer America MVP First Team and Soccer America All-Freshman First Team recognition. 

Blake was selected by Philadelphia Union FIRST OVERALL in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft. In September 2015, playing against New England Revolution, Blake set a Union team record for saves in a match with 10 stops to preserve a 1–1 draw.

Three times he has earned the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award (2016, 2020 & 2022), MLS All-Star (2016, 2019, 2021), Philadelphia Union team MVP (2020-22), and MLS Best XI (2016, 2020, 2022).

In 2018, Andre led Philly to the US Open Cup title game, losing to Houston in the end. 2020 saw Blake post a 77.8 save percentage and allowed only 18 goals, leading Major League Soccer in both stats for goalkeepers with 20 or more appearances. He also led the league in wins (13) and posted eight shutouts. Blake led the 2022  team to the MLS Cup final, losing to LAFC on PK's. He conceded the least amount of goals in MLS history (26).

As a Jamaican international player, Blake so far has earned 79 International Caps with 25 shutouts, played in Copa America (2016), CONCACAF Gold Cup (2017, team captain, Golden Glove Award, Best XI, lost in final), CONCACAF Gold Cup (2019 & 2023 semifinalist), and World Cup Qualifying Games for 2022 & 2026 qualifications. He is currently playing with the Jamaican National Team as they pursue World Cup 2026 qualification.

Induction Dinner Ceremony • March 1, 2025 • Information

Roy Gurnon

Roy Gurnon has an Incredible record of success as a high school coach, winning over 400 games.  He developed a strong, successful program at Ellington High in a short period of time and continued the success over a 32-year period. His teams won three state championships (2014, 2008, 2007), reached six state finals, five semi-finals and five quarterfinals. Ellington made the state tournament 28 out of Gurnon’s 33 years and possessed a 62-25 state tournament record in those years. Ellington was undefeated in 45 consecutive games from 2007 - 2009 and recorded undefeated regular seasons in 2018, 2008, 2007, and 1994. Overall, Gurnon amassed an incredible record, 401-179-63.

“Ellington was at the pinnacle of high school boys soccer during the 2007 & 2008 seasons,” said Bill Duffy, President of the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame. “They were simply unbeatable and dominated state soccer. This is only part of Roy’s amazing record of sustained success at Ellington over his 32 years.”

In addition to the Class M state championships in 2014, 2008, and 2007, Ellington were finalist in  2018, 2016, 2013, 2003, 1990, & 1989. They were North Central Connecticut Conference (NCCC) Champions in 2018, 2008, 2007, 2003 and 1994.

Gurnon’s record includes NSCAA High School Team Academic Awards (2017, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, & 2010), George D. Ritchie Sportsmanship Awards from Central Connecticut Soccer Officials Association (2007, 2004, 2003, 1994 and 1992), the Hugh S. Greer Distinguished Service Award from Central Connecticut Soccer Officials Association (2017), Connecticut High School Coaches Association Boys Soccer Coach of the Year (2014 and 2002), National Soccer Coaches Association of America and Adidas Connecticut Small School Coach of the Year (2005), and was a finalist for NSCAA National Coach of the Year (2009).

Induction Dinner Ceremony • March 1, 2025 • Information

Tom Lang

“Tom Lang was an exceptional coach his entire career,” said Bill Duffy, President of the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame. “He had enormous shoes to fill taking over for two coaching legends who served before him at Southern, and promptly won 2 national championships.”

Lang served 25 years at Southern Connecticut and has the most wins in program history (307-117-55). Including college coaching stints at Hofstra, Fairleigh Dickinson, and Adelphi (women), his 39-year career record is an amazing 425-227-77. 

Lang’s teams earned two NCAA Division II national championships (1998, 1999), made 13 NCAA Division II tournament appearances (1997-1999, 2001-2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2017), were five-time Northeast 10 regular season champions (2000-2004) and Northeast 10 tournament champions (2007).

Tom Lang is a two-time NSCAA Division II Coach of the Year (1998, 1999), and has the second most wins in Northeast 10 history. He has served as an CT Olympic Development Program (ODP) coach (2020-2022) and has additional experience as an assistant coach with the United States U-18 National Team and scout with U.S. Soccer. As a coach, Lang produced 25 All Americans & 2 NSCAA National Players of the Year.

Lang was also an outstanding player, having played pro in the North American Soccer League (NASL) with the New York Cosmos, Atlanta Chiefs and Caribous of Colorado. He was a 3 year captain, registering 41 goals/23 assists at Adelphi University and won the NCAA DII championship (1974), and made four Consecutive NCAA (DII & DI) appearances. 

He is also an inductee in the Long Island Soccer Player Hall of Fame (2015), the Long Island Soccer Football League Hall of Fame (2016), and the Adelphi University Athletic Hall of Fame (1994).

Induction Dinner Ceremony • March 1, 2025 • Information

James O’Brien

“Jim O’Brien has been consistently successful coaching women’s college soccer and youth soccer Connecticut for many years,” said Bill Duffy, President of the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame. “He was hired to start the Southern Connecticut State University women’s program in 1995 and immediately established a presence nationally. In addition to coaching college at Southern, Fairfield and now Mitchell College, he has been involved as our CT Olympic Development Program coach and director, and a club soccer coach with CFC in Hamden - spanning over 30 years.”

As a player, O’Brien was an outstanding goalkeeper his junior and senior years at Southern. He was the starting netminder as the Owls reached the NCAA semifinal (1981) and their first national title game (1982). Southern compiled a 35-7-2 record in his two years as they continued their march toward becoming the pre-eminent Division II program in the country.

After graduation he stayed with the program as a goalkeeper coach. The Owls won two national championships with O’Brien guiding two outstanding goalkeepers, Bo Oshoniyi (1992) and Rick Koczak (1995). 

O’Brien began the Owls women’s program and led Southern to a 105-56-8 record during his 10 year tenure (1995-2005), earning a Northeast Conference regular season championship (2000), and becoming NCAA Tournament quarter finalists. He transitioned to lead Fairfield University (2005-2017), posted a 119-99-41 overall record and has the most wins all-time as coach at Fairfield University. Fairfield were 2005 and 2008 MAAC tournament champions and finalists in 2013 & 2014. O’Brien earned recognition as the 2012 MAAC Coach of the Year and the 2008 NSCAA/Adidas Northeast Region Coach of the Year.

Jim is currently in his first year as head women’s soccer coach at Mitchell College after short stints as an assistant coach at Stony Brook (2019-2024), and head coach at Mercy College (2018-2019).

Induction Dinner Ceremony • March 1, 2025 • Information

Catherine Shankweiler

“Catherine Shankweiler was one of the anchors of two of Connecticut’s most powerful teams,” said Bill Duffy, President of the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame. “She was foundational to the success of both the E.O. Smith H.S. girls teams that never lost a game in her 4 years and the UConn women as they rose to the top of women’s college soccer. Catherine’s consistent, strong play helped set the standard for these programs that led girls’ and women’s soccer growth in Connecticut and the nation.”

Catherine Shankweiler was a stalwart on the first high school girl’s soccer dynasty in Connecticut. She was a powerful midfielder/forward on the E.O. Smith HS girl’s team (1978-1981) that won four consecutive state titles (each year she played) and never lost a game during this period. 

Shankweiler joined the UConn Huskies in 1982, the 3rd year of the varsity soccer program, and immediately helped them rise to national prominence. While scoring 44 goals and delivering 22 assists over her career, the Huskies reached the NCAA final four 3 times (3rd place-1982, 4th place-1983, 2nd place-1984) and the title game in 1984 (losing to UNC, 2-0). She is the 9th leading scorer in UConn history with 110 total points. In addition, Shankweiler was recognized as All-American (1984), All New England (NEWISA, 1983, ‘84, ‘85), and earned the UConn Club Outstanding Student-Athlete Award (1985). 

As a youth player for Mansfield Stars SC, Shankweiler was a state cup champion in 1978 and played after college in the early years of the CT Women’s Soccer League. She served as assistant coach on Mt. Holyoke and Smith College women’s teams and coached youth soccer. 

Induction Dinner Ceremony • March 1, 2025 • Information

Junior Salmon

“Junior Salmon was an unstoppable player in college,” said Bill Duffy, President of the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame. “Opponents' game plans were always about stopping Junior, although few were very successful. To this day, Junior is still known as ‘the’ legendary player at the University of Hartford.”

Junior came to Weaver High School in Hartford and earned all-district and all-state recognition, establishing their soccer scoring records. He advanced to the University of Hartford and transformed their program. In his four years at U of H, the Hawks won 15 games three times, a feat achieved in only one other season in their 67 year history. Hartford qualified for three Division 2 NCAA Tournaments (1978, 1980, 1981) and won the ECAC Championship (1979). 

Junior is the 3rd all-time scoring leader at U of H with 94 goals and 26 assists. He was a two time All-American and All-New England player (1980 & 1981), earning the team’s top offensive player award three times. He was the Northeast 10 Conference Player of the Year (1981). 

Salmon played professionally after college with the Louisville Thunder of the American Indoor Soccer League (AISA, 1985) and was their 2nd leading scorer. 

Since then, he continued his playing career with many amateur teams in Connecticut and surrounding states, and coached local travel teams and soccer camps in Bloomfield and throughout Connecticut.

Induction Dinner Ceremony • March 1, 2025 • Information

Hank Steinbrecher

“Hank Steinbrecher was part of powerful Mitchell College teams in the 1960’s,” said Bill Duffy, President of the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame. “He continued to play men’s soccer in Connecticut before rising to the highest level of U.S. Soccer and becoming one of the most consequential leaders of our national teams and world soccer. Hank has always remembered his Connecticut soccer roots and has been a true friend to our state throughout his career.”

As the General Secretary of the United States Soccer Federation (1990-2000), Steinbrecher was a leader in organizing U.S. National Teams for a string of major events, including two men’s World Cups (1994, 1998), three Women’s World Cups, two Copa Americas, five CONCACAF Gold Cups and three Olympic Games. In 2012, he received the Werner Fricker Builder Award, which honors those "who have established a lasting legacy in the history and structure of soccer in the United States."

He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame (2005).  He is also a member of the New England Soccer Hall of Fame, the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame, and the North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame, Mitchell College Hall of Fame (2006). He earned the NSCAA Honor Award (2005), and USSF Lifetime Membership (2003).

As a player, Hank Steinbrecher was a strong defensive player for the 1966 and 1967 Mitchell College teams coached by Warren Swanson (CSHF Inductee, Class of 2000). During those two years the team had an overall record of 19-5-1 and earned berths in the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XV tournaments. Upon graduating from Mitchell with his associate's degree he then went on to Davis & Elkins College and played on their national championship team. Steinbrecher played in the Connecticut Soccer League for New Britain Falcons and other CT teams while at Mitchell.

Steinbrecher also coached college soccer at Warren Wilson College, Appalachian State University, and Boston University (1981-1984).

Induction Dinner Ceremony • March 1, 2025 • Information

Tiffany Weimer

“Tiffany has been a prolific goal scorer throughout her career,” said Bill Duffy, President of the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame. “She scored in 17 consecutive games at Penn State, an NCAA record, and is the 9th all-time leading goal scorer in NCAA history. She is one of the most highly decorated players ever to come from Connecticut.”

At North Haven High School, Weimer netted 109 goals, a school record. She was named NSCAA & Parade All-American twice, McDonald's All-American award once, All-New England three times, and SCC Hammonasset's All-Conference Award four times. Weimer launched her career at South Central Premiere from 1993 to 1998. She went on to play for World Class Soccer from (1999-2003) and won the Youth National Championship (1999). Weimer personally won the Adidas Golden Boot Award (top goal scorer award) in that tournament.

Weimer attended Penn State University and became one of the most prolific scorers in NCAA history. Overall, Tiffany Weimer scored 91 goals, a Big Ten record, which ranks 9th all-time in NCAA scoring. She also had 32 assists in her collegiate career. She holds the NCAA record for most consecutive games with goals scored, 17 in total. 

During college, Weimer compiled an amazing record of team and personal achievement:

Personal:

• 3x semifinalist or runnerup for the MAC Hermann Trophy (best player in college soccer)

• 2x All American

• Top Drawer College Soccer Player of the Year (2005)

• Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year (2005)

• Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (2004)

• All Big Ten (2003)

• Big Ten All Freshman Team, Big Ten Freshman of the Year (2002)

Team:

• 4x Big Ten Champions (2002-2005)

• NCAA Final Four (2002), NCAA Elite 8 (2003), NCAA Final Four, Undefeated regular season, 23-0-2 (2005)

Tiffany continued playing and spent 12 years playing professionally in various leagues around the world. Some of her clubs included the Portland Thorns, Boston Breakers, Santos FC-Brazil, Vancouver Whitecaps, Fortuna Hjorring-Denmark (played in UEFA Champions League), Washington Spirit, Kvarnsvedens IK-Sweden, FC Nordsjælland-Denmark, AIK-Sweden. 

Weimer served as an assistant coach at Yale University (2021-2023) and is currently the Girl’s Soccer Director at Sporting CT in Middletown, Connecticut. She currently plays for Sporting CT’s women’s team and was recently named 2023 UWS Offensive player of the Year and Eastern Conference Co-Coach of the Year. Weimer is also the owner and co-founder of Duktig Brand, a global brand of soccer-specific notebooks & accessories for coaches and players.