MSHSL History Capsule: Guido Kauls

In the fall of 1961, the high school boys soccer teams that began play were Minnehaha Academy, St. Thomas Academy, Breck, Blake, Edina and University High School. No statistics were kept and all schools just had club teams. A year later, the first official league was formed and five schools joined: Minnehaha Academy, Shattuck, Blake, Breck and St. Thomas Academy. The first champion was Minnehaha Academy.

Minnehaha Academy’s Guido Kauls, a native of Latvia, was the school’s first coach and he would become one of the earliest pioneers of the game over a hall of fame career that taught thousands of players the fine art of the world’s game.

Kauls was the first boys soccer coach in Minnesota prep history to reach the 500-victory milestone. He capped his career in 2000 and compiled a coaching record of 500-275-75, which included three state championships. He was selected the national boys soccer coach of the year in 2001.

In 2017, a celebration was held to mark the 50^th anniversary of the first boys soccer game that was played under the lights. It was Kauls’ Minnehaha Academy team that played at White Bear Lake High School on Sept. 30, 1967. Kauls was a patient coach in teaching others the game.

“When we started soccer, it was mainly language teachers and we played in Germany or Austria or wherever,” Kauls shared with FOX9. “I knew something about soccer, most of us were not good soccer players.

“I’m humbled more than anything else. I didn’t do anything special. I did what I enjoyed doing.”

He was inducted into the Minnesota State High School League’s Hall of Fame in 2002, one of many recognitions he’s received in his coaching career.