“Playing for Beadling means being part of something bigger than yourself. Once you put on that jersey, you’re playing for those who came before you.”

Beadling Soccer Club is the oldest continuously operating soccer club in the country. I’m sure you’ve heard this fact many times, but it occurred to me that some of our newer players and families may not be aware of the details of out club’s place in U.S. soccer history.

For the past 100 years, Beadling has built a tradition of champions. This legacy translates to our current teams.  Success is a result of hard working, enthusiastic, dedicated individuals – our coaches, players and parents. Through the years I have tried to surround myself with quality people. Individuals that work hard and believe in the same principles of those coaches, players and volunteers of 100 years ago.

I hope this history reinforces the important role we all play in continuing the Beadling legacy.

The future of our club is bright. Our century of success is a source of great pride and a great motivator to continue to grow and expand the reach of the game we love. Beadling now has a significant number of alumni returning to the club as coaches and parents, continuing the proud tradition of giving back and building upon what has been given by those who came before us.

Denny Kohlmyer

President, Beadling Soccer Club

Over 100 years ago, coal miners from Europe brought their rich soccer tradition to Western Pennsylvania. 



Beadling was a small coal mining town, with about 350 residents, located along Painters Run Road between Upper St. Clair and Mt. Lebanon. The Beadling Mine was founded by three brothers- William, Thomas and James Beadling. They employed many immigrants, including English, German and Irish, with whom they shared a love of soccer. Sometime around 1898, the first games of soccer were played on the field next to the mine. It became a Sunday tradition for the residents of Beadling to gather on a field next to the mine and watch the men play. 

Beadling won it’s first League Championship in 1911 and the West Penn Cup Championship in 1918. My grandfather, Walter Kohlmyer, played on the 1918 team.

In 1954, Beadling won the National Amateur Cup, becoming the smallest community ever to win a major National Championship. My father, Jim Kohlmyer, was on the team. The Amateur Cup, which is still held today, was established in 1923, is open to all amateur teams affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation. Beadling was the 1958/59 Amateur Cup Finalist.

From 1977 to 1983, The Senior Team posted a record of 136 wins, 19 losses and 17 ties. Beadling’s league record was an impressive 90 wins, 3 losses and 7 ties. A tradition of winning was established and continues today.

Beadling -A Tradition of Champions

• Over 220 PA West State Championship-more than twice as many as ALL PA West clubs combined.
• 16 Region 1 Championships, the most in PA West history
• Three Bronze medals at the National Youth Championships
• Over 50 Professional Players
• Produced more D1 committed, scholarship players than any other club in PA West
• More Regional and National Team Players and more All-Americans than any club in PA West

 Beadling FACTS

• 1898 FIRST TEAM
• 1911 FIRST LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
• 1918 FIRST WEST PENN CHAMPIONSHIP
• 1938 NATIONAL JUNIOR CUP FINALIST
• 1954 NATIONAL AMATEUR CUP CHAMPIONSHIP
• 1958 NATIONAL AMATEUR CUP FINALIST
• 1918, 1919, 1958, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1986 WEST PENN CUP CHAMPS
• 15 KEYSTONE LEAGUE CHAMPS 
• 6 PITTSBURGH PRESS LEAGUE CHAMPS
• 2002 VETERANS CUP NATIONAL SEMI-FINALIST
• 800 PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS
• 34 HALL OF FAME MEMBERS
• 25 All -Americans
• 9 EUROPEAN TOURS
• TOP 100 CLUBS IN THE COUNTRY