Hank Steinbrecher passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at his home in Tucson, Arizona, at the age of 77.
The U.S. Soccer Federation confirmed that Steinbrecher succumbed to degenerative heart disease, a battle that had prompted his relocation from Illinois to Arizona in recent years.
Hank Steinbrecher left behind his wife, Ruth Anne, and their two sons, Chad and Corey Steinbrecher.
Ruth Anne previously served as the Director of Disaster Planning at the American Medical Association (AMA). She also held the role of MPH at the AMA’s National Disaster Life Support (NDLS) program office.
The precise details of Steinbrecher and Ruth Ann’s relationship timeline aren’t available, but the couple had been married for over five decades until Steinbrecher’s demise.
The longtime married couple, Hank and Ruth Ann, shared two kids, Chad and Corey.
Chad Steinbrecher, the elder of the two sons, is a NAVY SEAL. He played soccer at Glenbard West High School.
A 1999 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Chad earned a degree in an academic and military environment before launching a career as a Navy SEAL.
The younger son, Corey Steinbrecher, followed a different but equally impressive path. He combined sports and academics.
He began his career as a professional cyclist and later chose to pursue a career in medicine. Corey attended the University of Arizona College of Medicine to complete his medical studies.
Corey is now working at the Southern Arizona Rescue Association. He previously worked at Wildlife Generation Pro Cycling and Sonoran Gardens Landscape Design & Construction.
Hank Steinbrecher Had a Remarkable Journey From Being a Coach to Transforming Soccer in the United States!
Hank Steinbrecher was a visionary leader who transformed soccer in the United States during his tenure as secretary general of the U.S. Soccer Federation.
After a key election in 1990, Alan Rothenberg, the head of U.S. Soccer, hired Steinbrecher to help improve the sport in the U.S.
At that time, U.S. Soccer was struggling financially and had just returned to the men’s World Cup after 40 years, but without much success.
Steinbrecher, a New York City native and former NAIA soccer champion at Davis & Elkins, had experience in business, working with Gatorade at Quaker Oats, and he loved soccer.
Given the aforementioned experiences and passion for soccer, Steinbrecher showed an immediate impact after his election.
Steinbrecher was the force behind bringing the 1994 FIFA Men’s World Cup to the United States. The tournament was a huge success, with over 3.5 million fans packing the stadiums to become the most-watched World Cup in history.
He called the event a turning point for soccer in America, saying, “Without that World Cup, there wouldn’t be an MLS.”
That said, Steinbrecher’s horizons were beyond the men’s game. In 1999, he organized the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
He moved U.S. Soccer’s headquarters from Colorado Springs to Chicago’s Kimball House, hired more staff, and set the foundation for the organization’s modern growth.
Steinbrecher’s contributions earned him induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005 as a “builder” of the game.
Before his executive career, Steinbrecher coached at Warren Wilson College, Appalachian State, and Boston University and served as the Harvard venue director for the 1984 Olympic soccer tournament.
His journey from small college coach to soccer’s top American administrator was one of a kind. Steinbrecher reflected on his journey in 2010, saying
I was able to serve the greater cause of developing soccer in America. I saw my game at the highest level one can possibly see. I don’t know if a life gets better.
