Nov. 6, 2002

MILWAUKEE - Bob Gansler and Tony Sanneh, two people directly associated with the rich history of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer program, were recently honored on a national stage as the two were inducted into the inaugural United Soccer League Hall of Fame on Monday (Nov. 4). The two former Panthers will be joined by Pat Ercoli, Dennis Viollet, Brian McBride, Chris Armas, and Charmaine Hooper for the USL induction ceremonies at the league's Annual Operations Meeting in Clearwater, Fla., on Thursday (Nov. 7).

"This is a fabulous accolade that reflects the achievements of both people," UWM head men's soccer coach Louis Bennett said. "It echoes the substance and the history of the UWM soccer program. A history in which we are all very proud of."

Gansler served as Milwaukee's head coach for five seasons from 1984-1988. Under his direction, UWM posted a 54-39-8 overall record, good for a .574 all-time winning percentage. Gansler's best season came in 1985 when the Panthers went 14-5-1 with a perfect 4-0-0 mark in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Soccer League.

Following his career at UWM, Gansler moved on to coach on both the professional and international level. Among his numerous coaching stops, Gansler served as head coach of the Milwaukee Rampage, a USL "A" League team from 1996-98, leading the squad to Milwaukee's first professional sports championship in 26 years with a title in 1997.

The 60-year-old Hungary native is probably most known for guiding the United States National Team to the World Cup in 1990, the first time a U.S. Team made the tournament in 40 years. His U.S. team defeated Trinidad and Tobago, 1-0, on the road to earn enterance to the tournament for the first time since 1950.

"On a personal level, I'm very pleased for Bob who has ran the full gamut of coaching success in the U.S.," added Bennett. "Whether its club, high school, college, professional, or World Cup, he has done it all. We are very fortunate to say he was a part of Milwaukee soccer."

Sanneh, a current member of the U.S. National Team, is the most storied and decorated player in UWM men's soccer history. The Minnesota-native came to Milwaukee in 1990 and proceeded to rewrite the Panther record books during his four-year stay on campus. Not only was Sannah a three-time All-Big Central Conference performer, he was also named a First-Team All-America selection following the 1991 and 1993 seasons.

A forward at UWM, Sanneh holds school career records in points (138), goals (53), and assists (32). A member of the D.C. United of Major League Soccer from 1996-98, Sanneh was named an NSCAA All-Mideast performer as a freshman while leading UWM to the 1990 NCAA Tournament. Sanneh's 17 goals in 1993 are good for third on the school's single season list while his 15 assists the same season are good for second place in school annals.

After two seasons for D.C. in the United States, Sanneh moved on to play overseas in 1999. He joined Hertha Berlin of the German Bundesliga for three seasons before being transferred to FC Nurnberg last year. Sanneh made a major mark on the international soccer community this past summer with his stellar play for the U.S. National Team in the 2002 World Cup in Korea. The defender helped lead the U.S. squad to upsets of Portugal and Mexico in the 2002 tournament.

"For a player like Tony Sanneh, who has a direct connection with the program, to be honored like this is special," Bennett noted. "It's kind of nice to see a former UWM player ascend to such great heights and get national and international recognition."

The USL is the governing body of the highest level of professional soccer in America after the MLS. Included in one of the USL's many units is the "A" League, in which the Milwaukee Rampage currently play.