In 1980, US Olympic soccer was exclusively an amateur sport. US players, playing in the Major Indoor Soccer League and North American Soccer League, had to sign amateur contracts with their teams, earning mostly expenses and a per diem. Led by Captain Perry Van Der Beck and St. Louis native Ty Keough, the team qualified for the 1980 Olympic Summer Games in Moscow, by beating Bermuda with an 8-0 aggregate and wins over Costa Rica and Suriname after Mexico was disqualified for using professional players.

While the team was not permitted to participate in the finals, they were awarded special medals by President Jimmy Carter at a White House ceremony on July 30, 1980.

Speaking for his teammates, 1980 Olympic Team Captain Perry Van Der Beck said, “It was such an honor to be a member of a team that was selected to represent the US on the world stage at such a high level. I have wonderful memories of Coaches Chyzowych and Gansler preparing us for qualification with a commitment to making our country proud. I cannot wait to see my teammates again and relive the memories. Thank you to the Walt Chyzowych Fund for getting us together again.”

Among the players expected to be in Chicago at the Walt Chyzowych Award Ceremony and Reception are Van Der Beck, Keough, goalkeeper Peter Arnautoff, Bill McKeon, Aldophus “Doc” Lawson, John Hayes, Tim Clark, Dave McWilliams, Angelo DiBernardo, Daryl Gee, Greg Villa, John Lignos, Louie Nanchoff, Bernie James, George Nanchoff and Larry Hulcer.