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Maryland Majors mourns the loss of Anna Steffen

By MMSL Communications, 09/07/19, 3:30PM EDT

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On August 19, 2019, a Maryland soccer icon in Anna Steffen passed away. Courtesy of the Maryland State Soccer Association, please read the write up below. <aryland Majors Commissioner Bill George had this to say, "Anna was a friend and mentor. I will remember fondly the State Association meetings at her home with Bundesliga and how she always greeted me with a smile and asked about my wife and my children. She also took time to share with me her history of coming to the USA and her involvement with US Soccer Federation, USASA, Maryland State Soccer Association, Maryland Major Soccer League, and the Baltimore Kickers.  As evidenced by her many awards listed below, she was devoted to her family and the game of soccer. She was a trailblazer and one of only a handful of women in the Maryland Soccer Hall of Fame."

Anna had many great accomplishments in the soccer community. She first got involved with the Baltimore Kickers in 1955 as the recording secretary for the club. Through the years she served as the club house chairperson, soccer secretary and general manager of the soccer club. The Baltimore Kickers were not only a mainstay of Baltimore soccer and the Maryland Major Soccer League but also played abroad in tournaments as well has hosting teams from overseas. During her tenure as General Manager, the Kickers won the Rowland and Stewart Cups as well as several tournaments, a position she held until 2004. Anna also served as Public Relations Director for the Maryland Major Soccer League.
 
In 1984, Anna became the Secretary of the Maryland State Soccer Association, a position she served for thirty-one years until her retirement in 2015. Along with her position as Secretary, Anna served as state registrar, manager of the state select teams and among several committees with the United States Adult Soccer Association. Anna was the first recipient of the Dr. John A. Schmid Award in 1987, recognizing her contributions to the game in the state of Maryland. Anna was recognized by several other organizations:
 
1987 – The Dr. John A. Schmid Award
1990 - German–American Friendship Award
2007 - Inducted into the US Adult Soccer Hall of Fame
2015 – Life Member of the Maryland State Soccer Association (first recipient)
2015 – Livio D’Arpino Award from US Adult Soccer Region I
2017 – Inducted into the Maryland Soccer Hall of Fame.