Mike Huwiler
Encyclopedia
Mike "Huey" Huwiler is a retired U.S. soccer midfielder
who was a member of the U.S. team
at the 1992 Summer Olympics
and the 1996 D.C. United
championship team.
and attended Marquette University High School
where he was a two time Parade Magazine All American as a high school soccer player. After graduating from high school, Huwiler attended the University of Virginia
. He spent three seasons, 1990–1992, on the Caveliers’ soccer team under future national team coach Bruce Arena
. In 1991 and 1992, the Caveliers took the NCAA championship
. He did not return for a fourth season after he was dismissed from the team after testing positive for marijuana in October 1992. After being kicked off the team, Huwiler dropped out of UVa and worked as a cook at a Charlottesville restaurant. While he considered pursuing a culinary career, he ultimately decided to turn professional with the Richmond Kickers
of USISL.
(USISL). He spent two seasons with the Kickers. In 1994, he joined the Chicago Power
of the National Professional Soccer League for the 1994-1995 indoor season.
On March 8, 1995, D.C. United
of Major League Soccer
(MLS) named Huwiler as a Discovery Player. While United signed Huwiler in 1995, MLS did not hold its first season until 1996. In the meantime, the league and United loaned Huwiler to the Atlanta Ruckus of the A-League for the 1995 season. That season, Huwiler was an integral part of the Ruckus team which made it to the A-League championship series only to fall to the Seattle Sounders
. In 1996, he joined United for the team, and league’s, first season. However, he played only five games before suffering a season ending injury. On August 19, 1996, United loaned Huwiler to the Richmond Kickers
for the remainder of the season, then waived him on November 7, 1996. However, he was on the roster for United’s MLS and Open cup championships that season.
On March 25, 1997, he moved to the Milwaukee Rampage
(A-League) for the 1997 and 1998 seasons. In 1997, Huwiler added an A-League championship when the Rampage defeated the Carolina Dynamo
.
Huwiler retired from playing professionally after the 1998 season. His retirement was precipitated when Carson White of the Raleigh Flyers broke Huwiler's leg in the final game of the season. White was shown straight red for the reckless tackle. He did continue to play amateur ball and in 2000 was a member of the U.S. Amateur Cup championship Milwaukee Bavarians.
at the 1992 Summer Olympics
. The team went 1-1-1 and failed to make the second round. Huwiler was an integral part of the squad, starting all 3 games in Barcelona, and recognized as one of the top performers for the U.S. Team.
men’s soccer team. He compiled a 14-7-1 record over his two seasons with the team. In 2002, Marquette University High School
hired Huwiler as its junior varsity
boys soccer team coach.
and works for M&I Corporation. In July 2003, Huwiler was diagnosed with testicular cancer. After multiple surgeries and aggressive chemotherapy, Huwiler emerged as a cancer survivor.
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
who was a member of the U.S. team
United States at the 1992 Summer Olympics
- Gold:* Michael Marsh — Athletics, Men's 200 metres* Quincy Watts — Athletics, Men's 400 metres* Kevin Young — Athletics, Men's 400 m Hurdles...
at the 1992 Summer Olympics
1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
and the 1996 D.C. United
D.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
championship team.
High school and college
Huwiler grew up in Wauwatosa, WisconsinWauwatosa, Wisconsin
Wauwatosa is a city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States, and was incorporated on May 27, 1897. As of the 2006 census estimate, the city's population was 44,798. Wauwatosa is located immediately west of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is a part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area...
and attended Marquette University High School
Marquette University High School
Marquette University High School is a private, all-male, Jesuit, Roman Catholic school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and is a member of both the National Catholic Educational Association and the Jesuit...
where he was a two time Parade Magazine All American as a high school soccer player. After graduating from high school, Huwiler attended the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
. He spent three seasons, 1990–1992, on the Caveliers’ soccer team under future national team coach Bruce Arena
Bruce Arena
Bruce Arena is a former coach of the United States men's national soccer team as well as a former professional soccer and lacrosse player...
. In 1991 and 1992, the Caveliers took the NCAA championship
NCAA Men's Soccer Championship
The NCAA began conducting a Men's Division I Soccer Championship tournament in 1959 with an eight-team tournament. Currently, the tournament field consists of 48 teams...
. He did not return for a fourth season after he was dismissed from the team after testing positive for marijuana in October 1992. After being kicked off the team, Huwiler dropped out of UVa and worked as a cook at a Charlottesville restaurant. While he considered pursuing a culinary career, he ultimately decided to turn professional with the Richmond Kickers
Richmond Kickers
The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
of USISL.
Professional
In 1993, Huwiler signed with the expansion Richmond KickersRichmond Kickers
The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
(USISL). He spent two seasons with the Kickers. In 1994, he joined the Chicago Power
Chicago Power
The Chicago Power were an indoor soccer club based in Chicago, Illinois that competed in the American Indoor Soccer Association and National Professional Soccer League.After the 1995/96 season, the team became the Edmonton Drillers.-Year-by-year:...
of the National Professional Soccer League for the 1994-1995 indoor season.
On March 8, 1995, D.C. United
D.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
of Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
(MLS) named Huwiler as a Discovery Player. While United signed Huwiler in 1995, MLS did not hold its first season until 1996. In the meantime, the league and United loaned Huwiler to the Atlanta Ruckus of the A-League for the 1995 season. That season, Huwiler was an integral part of the Ruckus team which made it to the A-League championship series only to fall to the Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders (USL)
Seattle Sounders was an American professional soccer team founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League. In 1997, the team became a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid, until 2008, after which the majority of the team's...
. In 1996, he joined United for the team, and league’s, first season. However, he played only five games before suffering a season ending injury. On August 19, 1996, United loaned Huwiler to the Richmond Kickers
Richmond Kickers
The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
for the remainder of the season, then waived him on November 7, 1996. However, he was on the roster for United’s MLS and Open cup championships that season.
On March 25, 1997, he moved to the Milwaukee Rampage
Milwaukee Rampage
The Milwaukee Rampage is a defunct American soccer franchise, which played in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the A-League. The Rampage folded in 2002 because of financial problems, despite winning the A-league championship that year, as well as in 1997. The Rampage was founded in 1994 as a member of the...
(A-League) for the 1997 and 1998 seasons. In 1997, Huwiler added an A-League championship when the Rampage defeated the Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo is an American soccer team based in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
.
Huwiler retired from playing professionally after the 1998 season. His retirement was precipitated when Carson White of the Raleigh Flyers broke Huwiler's leg in the final game of the season. White was shown straight red for the reckless tackle. He did continue to play amateur ball and in 2000 was a member of the U.S. Amateur Cup championship Milwaukee Bavarians.
Olympic team
Huwiler was selected for the U.S. teamUnited States at the 1992 Summer Olympics
- Gold:* Michael Marsh — Athletics, Men's 200 metres* Quincy Watts — Athletics, Men's 400 metres* Kevin Young — Athletics, Men's 400 m Hurdles...
at the 1992 Summer Olympics
1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
. The team went 1-1-1 and failed to make the second round. Huwiler was an integral part of the squad, starting all 3 games in Barcelona, and recognized as one of the top performers for the U.S. Team.
Coaching
In 1998, Huwiler joined the coaching ranks when he was hired as the head coach of the Milwaukee Area Technical CollegeMilwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee Area Technical College is a two-year vocational-technical college based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. MATC offers day, evening, and weekend classes at campuses in downtown Milwaukee, Oak Creek, West Allis, and Mequon. Enrollment is about 60,000...
men’s soccer team. He compiled a 14-7-1 record over his two seasons with the team. In 2002, Marquette University High School
Marquette University High School
Marquette University High School is a private, all-male, Jesuit, Roman Catholic school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and is a member of both the National Catholic Educational Association and the Jesuit...
hired Huwiler as its junior varsity
Junior varsity
Primarily in North America, junior varsity or JV players are the members of a team who are not the main players in a competition , usually at the high school and college levels in the United States and Canada. The main players comprise the varsity team...
boys soccer team coach.
Personal
Huwiler and his wife Molly have three children. They reside in his hometown of Milwaukee, WisconsinMilwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
and works for M&I Corporation. In July 2003, Huwiler was diagnosed with testicular cancer. After multiple surgeries and aggressive chemotherapy, Huwiler emerged as a cancer survivor.