August Steuer

STEUER, August immigrated to the United States from Grossheubach Germany at the age of 21 in November of 1923 and shortly thereafter as a youth soccer player he was instrumental in forming the FussBall Club (FC Austrian) of the German-American Football Association (GAFA) of New York.

During his early years in New York, he worked in his trade as a tool and die maker. August also developed himself into a competitive and talented enthusiastic soccer player.

In 1932 Steuer joined the Executive Board of the German American Football Association (GAFA) of which he served in other various capacities including president from 1937-1941 and 1956-1959. August Steuer in 1933 boldly changed his occupation and in the course of a few years owned and operated successful German American restaurants in the City of New York. After World War II and as president of the German American Football Association, August played a key role in German American relations and was instrumental in bringing together German and American soccer teams on both sides. With his dedication and passion for the sport of soccer and due to his efforts, the first soccer game of a German team in the USA was made possible in 1949.

1953 he bought the largest and oldest German published newspaper, NY Staatszeitung und Herold est.1834 of which he was president until the close of his life in January 1969.

As a publisher and through his work in soccer, used by him to promote international good will, was soon recognized by both the United States and German governments and in 1960 he was decorated with the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and was made honorary citizen of the village of his birth. The German National Soccer Association, the Deutscher Fussball Bund, the Bayerischen Fussball Bund and the Southern New York State Soccer Association all recognized him with honorary memberships.

From 1963 until his death August Steuer would serve as Honorary Deputy Commissioner of Public Events for New York City under both mayor’s Wagner and Lindsay and remained president of the United State Citizen’s Advisory Committee as an advisor on immigration matters to President Lyndon B. Johnson. Throughout his life soccer remained his dedicated priority for the international development to the sport of soccer.