CHICAGO (Jan. 29, 2015) – Former U.S. Soccer Federation chairman and National Soccer Hall of Fame builder Milton Aimi passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 27. He was 88.
Memorial and funeral proceedings are being arranged and will be held in Houston on Feb. 2 and 3.
The Brazilian-born Aimi became a longtime contributor toward the sport of soccer in the U.S. and was recognized for his commitment and efforts with his 1991 induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Aimi spent more than five decades involved in soccer in the U.S., primarily in southern Texas. He was the president of the Texas State Soccer Association from 1972-2000 as the association grew from two leagues to more than 20 during his tenure. Aimi also was the first chairman of the United States Senior Soccer Division Inc.
He was appointed to U.S. Soccer’s National Referee Committee and was the Region III director in 1979. In 1982, Aimi was elected vice president of the national body and chairman of the U.S. Soccer senior division, handling the administrative work for the Federation’s adult and Olympic programs for all 50 states.
In 1987, Aimi was appointed to organize the National Under-23 Player Development Program, and a year later he became a member of the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors and vice president/chairman of the U.S. Soccer Amateur Division (now known as the United States Adult Soccer Association).
Prior to his involvement at U.S. Soccer, Aimi founded the West Texas College soccer program in 1947 and he launched the Fort Worth International Soccer Club in 1952. Aimi moved to Houston in 1967 and was appointed Youth Commissioner of the South Texas region. One year later, he was one of the primary founders of the Houston District Junior Soccer Association and would serve as its president from 1972-78.
In 1979, the Houston District Junior Soccer Association recognized Aimi as its Person of the Year.