Gordon Jago named 2013 Indoor Soccer Hall of Fame inductee

Gordon Jago, an iconic figure in the North Texas soccer scene, was recently named to the 2013 class to be inducted into the Indoor Soccer Hall of Fame.

Jago coached the Dallas Sidekicks for 12 seasons, and in 1987 led the team to a championship against the Tacoma Stars in the most memorable seven-game series in indoor soccer history. He also coached the Sidekicks to a CISL championship in 1993 and finished his indoor coaching career  with a 259-223 overall regular season record.

Jago’s legacy includes discovering indoor soccer legend Tatu in Brazil and eventually bringing him to Dallas where he became the face of the franchise and an indoor soccer star. Jago, who at various times in his Sidekicks career doubled as General Manger, General Partner, and Team President in addition to his coaching duties, was named Coach of the Year in 1986 and 1993. Jago retired as Head Coach after the 1997 season and became President of the World Indoor Soccer League in 1998.

“I am very honored to receive the award for I have nothing but good memories of my years with the Sidekicks in the indoor soccer leagues,” Jago said. “It is a reward not only for me, but also to all of the assistant coaches, staff and players whose efforts made it possible for me to be selected.”

Jago is nominated along with five notable players, all who played in the era from 1978 to 1992 when the original MISL and NASL Indoor dominated the indoor scene.

“All of my fellow inductees are outstanding players whose performances over many years took the indoor soccer game here in the USA to a new level of play and entertainment,” Jago said. “I have so many great memories of their performances even though they were against the Sidekicks.”

Jago recently retired as Executive Director of the Dr. Pepper Dallas Cup and currently serves as Ambassador and Special Consultant to the international youth soccer tournament he helped build.

Jago has also been recognized by the British Queen for his contribution to soccer worldwide. In recognition of his achievements, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006. In December 2010 during the ESPN WIde World of Sports Disney Showcase, Jago was presented the "Lifelong Achievement Award" at Disney World in Orlando.