Born September 8, 1948 in Kavala, Greece. Like most children in post-war Europe, Gus first played soccer on streets and school grounds. He later played with Phillippi, and at 17 was offered a professional contract with AOK, Kavala’s professional team. Since he was underage, his parents, who were not fans, prevailed upon his older brother Nick, then a student in Salt Lake City, to help him instead pursue a college education. In July, 1966, Gus arrived in the United States. He joined Hellas Soccer Club while studying at Westminster College. After graduating, Gus continued playing soccer in Salt Lake, and also for about a year in Philadelphia with a local Greek squad. He returned to Utah in 1973, and was named to the All Star team and MVP in 1978. In 1976 Gus was selected to play for the Golden Spikers of the American Soccer League. In 1977, Gus joined Pan World Soccer Club, helping the team win several league and cup championships and tournaments. With Pan World, Gus moved from being just a player, to being a player/coach/administrator. At one point, Pan World Soccer Club grew to five men’s and two women’s teams, and hosted an annual tournament with teams from throughout the intermountain area and California. Pan World also motivated several players, Gus among them, to become excellent referees. Transferred to Oklahoma in 1985, Gus continued to play and also to referee youth, adult and collegiate games. In 1989, he became State Referee Administrator for both youth and adult divisions. He was also a State Instructor and a State Assessor. In 1992, he was elected Treasurer for the Oklahoma Soccer Association, representing the state at regional and national meetings. In 1994, Gus was selected as one of the referees to officiate the Donnelly Cup in Florida. He also coached youth, both boys and girls teams, nearly a dozen of his players received partial or full college scholarships. He received his National 'C' coach’s license in 1990. Following a 1995 transfer to Houston, TX, Gus continued playing, and focused his refereeing efforts at the collegiate level, receiving national referee certification in 1999. Gus returned to Utah in 2005, and from 2006-2009 served as State Referee Administrator. Gus competes with senior teams at various tournaments, playing for the national over-65 championship team in the 2014 Veteran’s Cup, and also for a team that won an over-65 championship in Tokyo, Japan. He marvels at special moments and extraordinary people that soccer has brought to his life.
Gus Colessides 2010 Hall Of FameBorn September 8, 1948 in Kavala, Greece. Like most children in post-war Europe, Gus first played soccer on streets and school grounds. He later played with Phillippi, and at 17 was offered a professional contract with AOK, Kavala’s professional team. Since he was underage, his parents, who were not fans, prevailed upon his older brother Nick, then a student in Salt Lake City, to help him instead pursue a college education. In July, 1966, Gus arrived in the United States. He joined Hellas Soccer Club while studying at Westminster College. After graduating, Gus continued playing soccer in Salt Lake, and also for about a year in Philadelphia with a local Greek squad. He returned to Utah in 1973, and was named to the All Star team and MVP in 1978. In 1976 Gus was selected to play for the Golden Spikers of the American Soccer League. In 1977, Gus joined Pan World Soccer Club, helping the team win several league and cup championships and tournaments. With Pan World, Gus moved from being just a player, to being a player/coach/administrator. At one point, Pan World Soccer Club grew to five men’s and two women’s teams, and hosted an annual tournament with teams from throughout the intermountain area and California. Pan World also motivated several players, Gus among them, to become excellent referees. Transferred to Oklahoma in 1985, Gus continued to play and also to referee youth, adult and collegiate games. In 1989, he became State Referee Administrator for both youth and adult divisions. He was also a State Instructor and a State Assessor. In 1992, he was elected Treasurer for the Oklahoma Soccer Association, representing the state at regional and national meetings. In 1994, Gus was selected as one of the referees to officiate the Donnelly Cup in Florida. He also coached youth, both boys and girls teams, nearly a dozen of his players received partial or full college scholarships. He received his National 'C' coach’s license in 1990. Following a 1995 transfer to Houston, TX, Gus continued playing, and focused his refereeing efforts at the collegiate level, receiving national referee certification in 1999. Gus returned to Utah in 2005, and from 2006-2009 served as State Referee Administrator. Gus competes with senior teams at various tournaments, playing for the national over-65 championship team in the 2014 Veteran’s Cup, and also for a team that won an over-65 championship in Tokyo, Japan. He marvels at special moments and extraordinary people that soccer has brought to his life.
2010 Hall Of FameGus Colessides