Fw: Hartman Donates Record-Setting Gloves to Hall of Fame

Hartman Donates Record-Setting Gloves to Hall of Fame

ONEONTA, NY (April 8, 2009) – Kevin Hartman of the Kansas City Wizards set the new MLS standard for career goalkeeper saves on Saturday, March 28th, recording his 1,137 save in a match against the Colorado Rapids.

Hartman presented Hall of Fame Director of Museum and Archives Jack Huckel his game-worn jersey and gloves from the record setting match following the Sunday, April 5 Wizards' shutout victory over San Jose, where Hartman extended his own record for career shutouts to a higher level. "I am excited that the Hall of Fame will place this jersey and these gloves on display," Hartman said. "Every player dreams of being in the Hall of Fame. I don't know if I'll get elected, but a piece of my history is there and that's very special to me. I look forward to visiting Oneonta in the future and seeing all the displays at the Museum."

In regard to setting the record, Hartman said: "I've been able to stay healthy, and it comes down to great training staffs and fitness coaches and goalkeeper coaches...so many people have gone into helping me with it. Looking beyond the game, it is something I will look back and look really, really fondly on, just like the wins record and shutouts record."

"The Hall of Fame is pleased that Kevin has thought of us at this signature career moment," Hall of Fame President Steve Baumann said. "We know he will continue to set a high standard for goalkeeping performance. His three MLS records, saves, shutouts, and victories, speak clearly for the quality of his play. We wish him continued success as he moves the record bar higher and higher."

Hartman joined Major League Soccer in the 1997 season when he was drafted in the 3rd Round of the MLS College Draft by the Los Angeles Galaxy. After ten seasons at Los Angeles, he was traded to Kansas City prior to the 2007 season. Through the match with the Rapids when he set the record, he has played in 305 MLS regular season matches, has an MLS record 77 shutouts and an MLS record 138 wins. His career goals against average is 1.24 goals/game, placing him 5th in the current career rankings. In 1999 he was named MLS Pepsi Goalkeeper of the Year and earned a championship ring with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2005.

Hartman's jersey and gloves will go on exhibition in the Hall of Fame MLS Display during the month of April.

About the Hall of Fame

The Mission of the National Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum is to Celebrate the History, Honor the Heroes,

Inspire the Youth and Preserve the Legacy of Soccer in the United States.

The Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution.

Located in Oneonta, NY, the National Soccer Hall of Fame opened a new 30,000 sq.ft., state-of-the-art multimedia museum in 1999. The Hall of Fame tells the story of soccer in America through artifacts, photographs, video and written narratives. The main VideoWall portrays some of the greatest moments and the greatest goals in soccer history as well as live soccer action from the World Cup, MLS, WPS, and U.S. Soccer matches. The Hall features an extensive interactive, youth oriented Kicks Zone, including a kid-sized indoor field, where visitors have fun kicking, heading the ball along with playing soccer video games. Unique and rare artifacts on exhibit range from the Dewar Challenge Cup, the oldest team trophy in U.S. sport, to the Women's World Cup won by the USA in 1999, the uniforms of Pele and Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly's golden shoes, and NASL championship rings. In addition to the interactive Museum, the National Soccer Hall of Fame's 61-acre complex boasts the Kicks Hall of Fame Museum Store, a research library, four world-class soccer fields and office/meeting facilities. Visit the Hall of Fame at www.soccerhall.org