Wojtek Krakowiak Wins the Hermann Award

December 12, 1998

RICHMOND, Va. – Clemson Soccer Player, Wojtek Krakowiak was named the recipient of College Soccer’s Hermann Award in Richmond, VA Saturday. The Hermann Trophy is given annually to the nation’s most outstanding soccer player. (it is the equivalent to winning the Heisman Trophy in college football.)

Krakowiak, a parks, recreation, and tourism management major, finished the 1998 season with 31 goals and eight assists for 70 points. He also scored 10 winning goals. The 31 goals is third in the Clemson record book for most goals scored in a single season. The 70 points is also third for most points scored in a single season by a Clemson player.

The junior from Clifton, NJ led the ACC in goals scored (31) and points (70) in 1998. He was also named first-team All-ACC and ACC Player-of-the-Year in 1998.

Krakowiak was named a 1998 first-team All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Saturday.

Krakowiak led Clemson to a 22-2 season in 1998, and to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. Also in 1998, Clemson won the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship.

In 1997, he scored 11 goals for the Tigers and had five assists for 27 points. Before coming to Clemson, he played one year at St. John’s and help lead the Red Storm to the National Championship in 1996. That year, he led St. John’s in assists with 14 and was third on the team with 11 goals and was second on the squad in points with 36.

He was also named Soccer America’s National Freshman of the Year. Krakowiak started 25 of 26 games for St. John’s during its National Championship year.

The founder of the award, Robert Hermann is from St. Louis, MO. He played a key role in introducing professional soccer to North American in the late 1960’s.

This is the second time in school history that a Clemson player has won this prestigious award as Bruce Murray won the trophy in 1987.

“It is a great feeling winning the Hermann Trophy,” said Wojtek Krakowiak. “I am very excited for our team, our fans and our university. I want to thank my parents, my coaches, and my teammates for making this possible. I also want to thank the university and the athletic department for their support of our soccer program. This was a great year and winning this trophy is a credit to my teammates and coaches. I share this award with my teammates, coaches, and family.”