Pete Leaness

William P. Leaness
Personal information
Date of birth (1904-06-05)June 5, 1904
Date of death September 1, 1972(1972-09-01) (aged 68)
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1925–1929 Temple Owls men's soccer
1925–1929 Temple Owls baseball
Managerial career
1930–1970 Temple Owls men's soccer

William P. "Pete" Leaness (July 5, 1904 – September 1972)[1] was an American soccer player, baseball player, and soccer coach. He was an All-American in baseball and soccer at Temple University and later served as the men's soccer coach at Temple for over 40 years.

Playing career

At Temple University, Leaness was an All-American player in both baseball and soccer.[2] In 1929, he was honored as Temple's first All-American in soccer.[2]

Coaching career

Leaness was named head coach of the Temple Owls men's soccer team in 1930 and coached the team for 41 years until 1971. In his 41-year career as Temple soccer coach, he coached 36 All-Americans and earned 245 career victories.[3] Temple recognizes two national championships in men's soccer under Leaness' leadership: 1951 and 1953.[4] The 1951 championship came after winning the 1952 Soccer Bowl 2–1 over San Francisco. The 1953 national championship was voted on by the ISFL/ISFA.

Halls of fame

Leaness is a member of the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.[2] He was a 1971 inductee in the Temple Athletics Hall of Fame.[3]

He was inducted in 2005 to the United Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Pete Leaness". Jews In Sports. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 "William P. (Pete) Leaness". Philadelpha Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on May 20, 2026. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
  3. 1 2 "Pete Leaness (1971) -". Hall of Fame. Temple Owls. Archived from the original on April 29, 2026. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Men's Soccer Record Book" (PDF). Temple Owls. May 2025. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 27, 2026. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Hall of Fame". United Soccer Coaches. Archived from the original on April 12, 2026. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
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