John P. Kissner (1990) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

John P. Kissner

Induction:
1990
Class:
1970

1967-70
Soccer
Center Forward
‘70

In the early years of UA’s soccer program, Stu Parry, the father of the sport on campus, recruited many players of ethnic origin in building and maintain tremendous Zip teams. John Kissner was one of those players, with one exception. Certainly, Kissner qualifies—being a native of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, who was exposed to soccer at an early age and had his skills fine-tuned before coming to the United States. However, in Kissner’s case, he was Americanized. He came to Akron in 1957 at the age of nine. Soccer, you must remember, did not have the exposure it does now. So, in 1964, he helped organize and coach an Akron Central High School team for competition in the Independent High School Soccer League. That three-year stint at Central gave him the coaching bug has since developed into one of the most outstanding mentors in Ohio High School soccer. As a Zip booter, Kissner helped Akron win three Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association Championships, 19666-68 and compiled UA’s only undefeated regular season (11-0 in 1968) in its 36-year history. UA met and was defeated by eventual national champion, Michigan State, 1-0, in the 1968 NCAA Playoffs. The 6-2, 180-pound Kissner was a four-year starter at center forward, who earned All-Ohio honors in 1968 after scoring nine goals and having five assists. All told, UA’s soccer team compiled an excellent record of 41-12-1 with Kissner in the lineup. Kissner finished his career in 1970 with 33 goals and 20 assists which currently ranks him eighth on UA’s all-time career scoring list. In 1978, Kissner became head coach at Walsh High School and in 13 seasons has become highly successful with a record of 195 wins, 39 losses and 29 ties. The Warrior booters captured the Ohio Division I Championships in 1982 and 1990 and Kissner was voted Greater Akron Coach of the Year in 1981, ’85, ’87 and ’89 and District Coach of the Year in 1986, ’87 and ’90. Employed at Akron Welding and Spring since 1969, Kissner and his wife Marianne, have two daughters and reside in Fairlawn.