XSL Milwaukee Wave

Six Players In Inaugural Wave Hall Of Fame Class

Published on March 20, 2009 under Xtreme Soccer League (XSL)
Milwaukee Wave News Release


MILWAUKEE (March 20, 2009) - Goalkeeping legend Victor Nogueira and all-time leading scorer Michael King lead the inaugural six-member class of the Milwaukee Wave Hall of Fame, announced Thursday evening on The Keith Tozer Show on Sports 32.

Also part of the first class are Steve Morris, Pete Knezic, Todd Dusosky and Art Kramer. The Wave is the longest-running soccer franchise in continuous operation in North America, celebrating its 25th anniversary this season.

"Whenever someone is inducted to a hall of fame, whether it's college or pro, it's a great honor," said Keith Tozer, head coach and vice president of soccer operations with the Wave. "I'm pleased that we have the ability to have a hall of fame, because of our longevity, and offer our players the honor they deserve."

Biographies of inducted players follow:

Widely regarded as the greatest indoor goalkeeper ever, Victor Nogueira led the Milwaukee Wave to three league championships and won two league Most Valuable Player awards in 11 seasons. In 1998, Nogueira was the league MVP, championship series MVP and led the Wave to their first title. Seven times he was named Goalkeeper of the Year, and he holds most of the significant team goalkeeping records.

Michael King is one of only five players in the history of indoor soccer to score at least 700 goals. He was the Wave's captain for all 15 seasons he played in Milwaukee, until he retired following the 2007-08 season. "Kinger" still holds the Wave single-season record of 185 points, set in 1997, and played on all four Wave championship teams. Also renowned for his actions off the field, he has raised nearly $1 million for the Women for MACC Fund.

Todd Dusosky debuted with the Milwaukee Wave in 1996, when he was just 20 years old. He quickly established himself as a powerful and skilled target forward who could assist on a goal as easily as he could score it. The winner of four championship rings in Milwaukee, Dusosky is second on the Wave's all-time list in points and assists, and his 40 playoff assists are the best in Wave history.

Pete Knezic was a member of the original Wave team in 1984-85, and the 46 assists he gave that season is a Wave record that has never been bettered. A Cudahy native who was a popular player at UW-Milwaukee, Knezic helped establish the Wave in the Milwaukee community, playing through the 1990 season before retiring. His No. 5 was the first jersey number to be retired by the club.

Art Kramer succeeded as both a player and assistant coach in 16 total seasons with the Wave. A three-time all-star, he led the team in scoring in 1989 and had a career-best 101 points the following season. On the bench, he spent 11 seasons as an assistant and helped the Wave win all four of their league championships. Kramer also coached the Wave United outdoor team for two successful seasons.

Steve Morris did it all in nine seasons with the Wave. He's in the Wave's top 10 career list in games, points, goals, assists and even blocks. Steady and reliable, he missed only five games over his final eight seasons with the Wave, and of course was an integral part of three championship teams. Morris also was an assistant coach to Keith Tozer in the 2003-04 season, and his No. 11 was retired by the Wave.

The Keith Tozer Show is filmed monthly and airs throughout the season on Sports 32, Time Warner Cable's 24-hour Wisconsin sports network. Interviews with the coach and players and features within the team are part of this exclusive look at Wisconsin's only professional soccer team. The March show will air regularly throughout the rest of March and April on Sports 32.

Founded last summer by the Milwaukee Wave, Detroit Ignition, New Jersey Ironmen and Chicago Storm, the Xtreme Soccer League is more than an indoor soccer league. The Xtreme Soccer Xperience is an energetic and innovative 12-month sports lifestyle brand built around skilled soccer professionals, entertainment and fan participation -- both live and online. For more information, visit XtremeSL.net.

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