Two inducted into Hall of Fame
Two inducted into Hall of Fame
David Kasper and Ernie Koontz were recently inducted into the Western Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. Additionally, Kasper was inducted into the Virginia-D.C. Soccer Hall of Fame.
Kasper is the D.C. United general manager and VP of soccer operations. During his 15-year tenure, Kasper has guided his teams to nine playoff appearances and five major trophies He has also managed 16 MLS Best XI selections, including three MVPs. He also had two goalkeepers of the year.
Kasper, who has overseen the youth development efforts, including the D.C. United Academy, played forward at the University of Maryland, earning All-ACC honors and serving as a member of the U-20 U.S. Men’s National Team. He played professionally for the Milwaukee Wave and Pittsburgh Stingers before transitioning into Duquesne University’s first-ever head coach. The Chartiers Valley High School graduate also served as general manager of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, which qualified for the playoffs and earned Organization of the Year honors following his designation.
While Kasper was inducted into the Pennsylvania Hall as an administrator, Koontz entered as a coach. The Monongahela High School and California University of Pennsylvania graduate served as high school girls’ basketball coach at Upper Saint Clair High School for 29 years. He compiled a 535-232 record that included 23 WPIAL and 14 PIAA playoff appearances. His teams captured five WPIAL titles in seven finals and won one PIAA championship in 1999.
Named Coach of the Year four times and numerous other coaching honors, Koontz coached 46 players that went on to play college basketball.