Quick Facts
Biography
Jerry Panek (born Poland) is a retired Polish-American soccer midfielder who earned three caps with the U.S. national team in 1973. He currently coaches youth soccer in Wisconsin.
Player
Professional
In 1975, Panek played for the Chicago Sting in the North American Soccer League. He also played for the Chicago Cats of the American Soccer League that season.
National team
Panek’s three national team games all came against Poland in 1973. The first was a 1-0 loss on August 3. The second was a 4-0 loss on August 10. Panek was replaced by Paul Child in the 60th minute. The last was a 1-0 victory on August 12. Panek was again replaced, this time by Stefan Szefer in the 60th minute.
Coach
Panek coached Milwaukee Polonia and the Milwaukee Kickers of the Wisconsin Soccer Association. In 1982, he left the Kickers to become an assistant coach with Marquette University. When head coach Joe Born resigned during the season, Panek became the head coach on October 6, 1982. When he resigned at the end of the 1991 season, Panek had compiled a 97-80-20 record. Panek has also coached at Thomas More High School and was an assistant with the Milwaukee Rampage.
Panek has since returned to the Milwaukee Kickers Soccer Club, where he has been serving as their director of coaching since 2001.
Panek was inducted into the WASA Hall of Fame in 1991.
Panek attended Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw. He received a coaching license and master's degree in physical education. He is one of the most soccer specific educated coaches in the country.