1974 Men’s Soccer and Coach John Kurty Inducted into MASCAC Hall of Fame

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State Athletics proudly commemorated and honored the 1974 Owls men's soccer team along with Coach John Kurty as both the team and Coach Kurty were inducted into the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Hall of Fame during halftime of the men's soccer match against UMass Dartmouth on Saturday, September 14.

Serving as the 50^th-year anniversary for the 1974 team, 13 members from the NCAA Final Four team returned to Westfield with players travelling from as far as Florida and Tennessee to attend the halftime presentation.

The 1974 team members each received a conference certificate during the ceremony as the '74 team is the first Owls team of distinction to be inducted into the MASCAC Hall of Fame. Prior to the team's induction this past Saturday, the 1974 team was inducted into the Westfield State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017.

The 1974 Owls men's soccer team advanced further than any other Westfield State team ever had in national competition, winning the New England Regional and advancing to the NCAA Division III Final Four in Wheaton, Ill. The Owls posted a record of 17 wins, four losses and two ties, winning the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference with a record of 5 and 1.

The '74 team was led by the late John Kurty, who was also inducted into the MASCAC Hall of Fame after leading the men's soccer program to a record of 153 wins, against 36 losses and 13 ties, including five straight NCAA tournament appearances and three new England titles from 1966-1977.

Accepting the certificate for Coach Kurty was his wife Rita Kurty, along with his son Jack and daughter Carol.

During the festivities, a check of over $2,000 dollars from former men's soccer players were donated to the current men's soccer team. Both the current and 1974 men's soccer team posed for a group photo at the conclusion of the event which included a brief opportunity for current members of the team to congratulate former players. 

After the conclusion of the game, where the Owls defeated UMass Dartmouth 3-2, current men's soccer players threw Westfield State t-shirts into the stands in honor of the '74 team. The 1974 team was then recognized at halftime of the ensuing Owls' football game later that afternoon, which also included a t-shirt toss into the stands.

An historical recollection of men's soccer throughout the years were displayed on poster boards in the new "Endzone Patio" as over 50 former soccer players were in attendance for the celebration.

If you would like to donate to the men's soccer program, use the following link: https://www.westfieldalumni.org/cf_forms/view.cfm?formID=672