This is as good of a selection as any, but Frank's done more for Chicago soccer in general than the Fire specifically. Got to think Lubos is next on this list.
I thought 'why not Lubos' at first too, but then I understood the historical part. Good nod to 'ancient' history on Peter's part. Lubos will have his day.
I think there is a bylaw that prevents concurrent membership in the Ring and the National Futsal Hall of the Not Very Famous.
Getting back on Topic... Congrats to Frank. A truly class guy. Who will ever forget his two goal performance in the home opener or the golden goal in the Open Cup? And then getting the start on Sting tribute night. A great legend in Chicago soccer history.
Way to go Frankie! You're a worthy member of a very exclusive club. Thanks for all you've done. It won't be forgotten.
Way to go Frankie! Lubos will make it in time but can't argue with Peter's choice. I'm very pleased to hear this. And the class shows through on the quotes!
Frank had been my favorite player since I noticed he was from Chicago during the 1994 World Cup. When it was announced that Chicago was getting an MLS team I decided that if Chicago acquired him they'd be my favorite team but that if they didn't they would be my most hated opponent. I don't think that Nowak could have made a better selection.
Klouder writes a story about Klopas and FWFK http://www.chicago-fire.com/pressbox/firefeature/0511_klopas.html "Klopas Golf Outing Raises Spirits, Funds for FWFK Foundation By John Koluder Many years ago, Fotios Klopas was just like any other kid who dreamed big. The Greek-born Klopas, who would later become known as Frank, had aspirations of growing up to be a professional soccer player, just like millions of other kids around the world. After moving to Chicago in his youth, Klopas would go on to not only fulfill his dreams, but he had the chance to do so in the city he grew to love, beginning his career as a 17-year-old phenom for the Chicago Sting and ending his playing days with the Chicago Fire in 1999. Since 2001, Klopas has done his part in giving back to the city and sport he loves so dearly by gathering longtime friends and friends of the Fire for what is one of the fastest-growing events on the annual calendar of the FireWorks for Kids Foundation - the Frank Klopas Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Outing at Cinder Ridge Golf Course in Wilmington, Ill. Monday marked the fourth year for the popular best-ball tournament, which allows the players and coaching staff of the Fire and the over 120 participants in the event to forget the rigors of the 9-to-5 grind or a long soccer season with a day of 18 holes of relaxation and good times - with the occasional good golf shot thrown in there for good measure. "I think it is terrific how all the celebrities and Fire coaching staff, players and office staff donate and dedicate their time and efforts, in addition to the golfers and sponsors that contribute, to make the day such a success," said Fire general manager and president of the FireWorks for Kids Foundation Peter Wilt. "It is always a fun day for everyone, but at the heart of it this is an important fundraising event that makes the lives of children a little bit better." As a board member on the FireWorks for Kids Foundation, Klopas has donated his time, effort and, in this case, his name, to help the Foundation make a difference by providing children throughout the Chicagoland area opportunities they may not have been able to achieve on their own. While plenty of time and effort went into to planning each event over the course of the last four years, putting on the annual gathering is a labor of love for Klopas. "When I finished my career, I wanted to do something that would help give back to the sport of soccer and to the community, and that's why I got involved in the FireWorks for Kids Foundation, so I can still feel like a part of the team," explained Klopas. "Soccer plays such a big part in my life, and through the FWFK Foundation I get to stay involved in the community and help kids out. The one thing I have looked forward to most each year is this Golf Outing because of the great support it has received from everyone." Klopas, still referred to as "The Kid" by many of his friends, attributes much of the success of the annual event to the soccer community of Chicagoland. According to Klopas, having spent the majority of his years in the sport in Chicago makes putting on an event of this magnitude and importance much easier than it could be. "For me, it is easy to do this because of the contacts I've made in the great sport of soccer, a game that has blessed me for so long," Klopas said. "The people that I've met always come out to support the Golf Outing and in return they are able to give something back to the kids and the sport. It is great that people come out to support this event on a consistent basis." The success of Monday's event went a long way towards helping the FWFK Foundation achieve its goals, as Klopas issued a check for $20,000 to the Foundation that will be used to provide scholarships for underprivileged youth to continue to strive for their dreams by receiving training at the Chicago Fire Academy throughout the course of the next year. "This year we changed the Golf Outing to the spring, and that happened to be a good thing as we sold it out and raised money for a great cause," said Wilt. "The donations from this event will allow a lot of kids in the inner-city to develop their soccer skills through the Fire Academy that otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity." For Klopas it all goes back to his days as a kid, when he dream of simply playing the sport of soccer at its highest level. And not even a hole-in-one could produce a better feeling in Klopas than what he is doing now -- keeping those same dreams alive for other children who one day might look to him as an inspiration. "I grew up playing soccer in the city and I started my career playing for the Sting and ended it playing for the Fire. It's great for me to see how soccer has grown and developed in this area over the years and it's great to see the support and the response we've received from the soccer community over the past four years," said Klopas. "They come out to have a great time, but they also come out to support the event and the Fire and soccer in general. In return, the money they donate will help fulfill some kid's dream, and that what it is all about. There's no better feeling than that."