Frankie Hejduk

Frankie Hejduk was a midfielder who played at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, just missing a medal in 2000 when the US team finished fourth. Hejduk played in college for UCLA, leaving in 1994 to play on the US National Team, where he played from 1996-2009. He earned 85 caps in his international career. Hejduk helped the US win the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2002, 2005, and 2007, and also played on medal-winning squads at the tournament in 1996, 1998, and 2003.

Professionally Hejduk started in 1996 with the Tampa Bay Mutiny. He later played from 1999-2003 with Bayer Leverkusen, before returning to the US and playing from 2003-10 with the Columbus Crew. He finished his playing career with one year with the Los Angeles Galaxy. In 2012 Hejduk returned to the Columbus Crew in an administrative role as the club’s Brand Ambassador.

Hejduk was also a top surfer in his youth. He was 1988 National Junior High School Surfing Champion, and qualified for the 1989 US Amateur Surfing Team.