Ed Long (1984) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Ed Long

Induction:
1984
Class:
1960

1956-57
Soccer
‘60
This athlete came along during the formative years of a sport new to campus, but was and still is the world’s most popular—soccer. Born and raised in Sao Paolo, Brazil, where he learned the game of soccer, Ed Long first tried collegiate soccer at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). At RPI he earned All-New York honorable mention honors as a freshman, He then transferred to UA and, after sitting out a year, played on the 1956 and ’57 soccer squads. That 1956 campaign was only UA’s second season on the campus. Under the guidance of the father of Zip soccer, Stu Parry, Ed Long helped the school compile a 6-2-1 record—the school’s first winning season. Long was in the goal for most of the season and recorded three shutouts. His efforts earned him first-team All-Ohio and All-Midwest honors, and he became the first in his sport to gain All-American honors when he was named honorable mention by the National Soccer Coaches Association. Unfortunately for the Zips, the 1957 season did not match the success of the ’56 campaign. Despite the 3-3-1 record compiled by the team. Long, who was co-captain, again earned first-team All-Ohio and All-Midwest accolades as well as being voted his team’s most valuable player. Long, who resides in Bath, is employed by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.