Induction Sport Role

2022 Soccer Coach

Coach Neil Baasten was a successful boys soccer coach at North Canton and throughout Stark County.  Born in The Netherlands, Neil came to the United States with his family in 1956.  He graduated as class valedictorian from Union Catholic High School and was offered a full scholarship to the University of Notre Dame.  Neil graduated Magna Cum Laude from Notre Dame in 1970, married his wife Christine in 1971, and went on to Law School at the University of Virginia, where he completed his law degree in 1973.  After moving to Ohio in 1974, Neil joined the North Canton YMCA as a Volunteer Youth Soccer Coach and Soccer Board Member.  He later co-purchased (along with long-time friend and soccer supporter, Mr. Joe Caplea) farmland in Plain Township and developed soccer fields (now known as the Diamond Soccer Complex).  Neil created the Community Soccer Club youth program out at the Diamond facility.  In 1987, he created and coached the St. Thomas Aquinas HS soccer club team, and later was named the Head boys soccer coach at St. Thomas from 1988-2003.  In 2003, he received the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association Ron Pinsenchaum Award in recognition of his demonstrating and promoting positive leadership qualities.  Starting in 2006, Coach Baasten took over the Hoover boys soccer program.  During his time at Hoover, Coach Baasten won three Federal League titles and two District titles.  He was recognized as the Stark County Coach of the Year on six occasions while at Hoover, including his last three seasons.  Neil won his 300th match of his career versus Akron Firestone during the 2018 season.  He ended his head coach career at Hoover after the 2019 season.  His overall record during his 30 year coaching career was 322-169-61, and his record as the Hoover head boys coach was 151-80-27 in his 14 seasons leading the Vikings.