Attended Pat McBride’s Funeral (December 21, 2024)
Location: Saint Francis Xavier College Church, 3628 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri.
Attendance: Perhaps 1-2,000 people.
I interviewed McBride for my St. Louis soccer book, This Is Our CITY. That talk probably took place in 2020.
McBride—a true leader, one to learn from—was a St. Louis and American soccer legend, a pioneer of the sport. He won a NCAA national championship with SLU, played pro for the St. Louis Stars, represented the US national team, coached the original St. Louis Steamers, and earned a Master’s degree from SIUE.
When I spoke to him on the phone for the first time, regarding This Is Our CITY, it was like talking to the Frank Sinatra of soccer. In our introduction, I told him a bit about me. But the conversation was about his contributions to St. Louis, and, essentially, American soccer. We had a good talk. After we hung up, a few moments went by and my phone rang. It was McBride. He said, essentially, "Shane, I just realized I didn't ask you more about your background! Tell me more about you!"
He was a class act and I learned from him how to sincerely show interest in the success of others. That was an attribute noted at his funeral—his desire for others to do good.
When you look at American soccer, he was a pioneer and one of the best ever.
Location: Saint Francis Xavier College Church, 3628 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri.
Attendance: Perhaps 1-2,000 people.
I interviewed McBride for my St. Louis soccer book, This Is Our CITY. That talk probably took place in 2020.
McBride—a true leader, one to learn from—was a St. Louis and American soccer legend, a pioneer of the sport. He won a NCAA national championship with SLU, played pro for the St. Louis Stars, represented the US national team, coached the original St. Louis Steamers, and earned a Master’s degree from SIUE.
When I spoke to him on the phone for the first time, regarding This Is Our CITY, it was like talking to the Frank Sinatra of soccer. In our introduction, I told him a bit about me. But the conversation was about his contributions to St. Louis, and, essentially, American soccer. We had a good talk. After we hung up, a few moments went by and my phone rang. It was McBride. He said, essentially, "Shane, I just realized I didn't ask you more about your background! Tell me more about you!"
He was a class act and I learned from him how to sincerely show interest in the success of others. That was an attribute noted at his funeral—his desire for others to do good.
When you look at American soccer, he was a pioneer and one of the best ever.
Pat McBride's Funeral, 12-21-2024. Photo by Shane Stay.
Pat McBride's Funeral, 12-21-2024. Photo by Shane Stay.
Pat McBride's Funeral, 12-21-2024. Photo by Shane Stay.
Pat McBride's Funeral, 12-21-2024. Photo by Shane Stay.
I interviewed Pat McBride for my book about St. Louis soccer (above). He is a key figure in the book. He's one of the best to come out of St. Louis and a pioneer for American soccer.
As a key figure in This Is Our CITY, Pat McBride is also featured in a book of mine out shortly.
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