Born December 17, 1922 in Dordrecht, Netherlands. Like most other boys, Leen started playing 'voetbal' in the neighborhood streets of Dordrecht. When he was a teenager he joined a local club and it did not take long to see that he had some serious talent for the game and found himself indoctrinated in the AFC Ajax youth system when he was seventeen. Eventually he was sent to a KNVB Second Division team in Rotterdam where he played as a semi-pro since there were no fully professional teams at that time. Shortly thereafter he decided to immigrate his family to the United States in 1953 and settled in Salt Lake City. Upon arrival he joined the Hollandia S.C. in 1954 until 1959 and won the 1954 State Championship in his first year with the team. In 1960 Leen decided that S.C. Alemannia should be his next stop and played for them until 1966, with the team winning the Association’s State Championship from 1961-1964 as well as five consecutive Daynes Challenge Cup trophies from 1961-65. During this time he also served the Vice President of Alemannia S.C. in an administrative role. About that time Leen decided to start officiating and once again he showed his talent by being a great referee, which at that time was not necessarily an easy thing to find. His reputation grew fast and it was not long before the United States Soccer Federation summoned him to officiate National Cup games on a regular annual basis, which included games in Denver, San Francisco, St. Louis and Chicago, just to mention a few. Having traveling referees was not a normal occurrence in those days. To celebrate his achievements and dedication to the development of officiating within the State of Utah, a Lifetime Achievement Award was established in his name for other referees, instructors and assessors who have made an outstanding contribution to the development of soccer officials within the State of Utah.
Leendert Hennekes 2008 Hall Of FameBorn December 17, 1922 in Dordrecht, Netherlands. Like most other boys, Leen started playing 'voetbal' in the neighborhood streets of Dordrecht. When he was a teenager he joined a local club and it did not take long to see that he had some serious talent for the game and found himself indoctrinated in the AFC Ajax youth system when he was seventeen. Eventually he was sent to a KNVB Second Division team in Rotterdam where he played as a semi-pro since there were no fully professional teams at that time. Shortly thereafter he decided to immigrate his family to the United States in 1953 and settled in Salt Lake City. Upon arrival he joined the Hollandia S.C. in 1954 until 1959 and won the 1954 State Championship in his first year with the team. In 1960 Leen decided that S.C. Alemannia should be his next stop and played for them until 1966, with the team winning the Association’s State Championship from 1961-1964 as well as five consecutive Daynes Challenge Cup trophies from 1961-65. During this time he also served the Vice President of Alemannia S.C. in an administrative role. About that time Leen decided to start officiating and once again he showed his talent by being a great referee, which at that time was not necessarily an easy thing to find. His reputation grew fast and it was not long before the United States Soccer Federation summoned him to officiate National Cup games on a regular annual basis, which included games in Denver, San Francisco, St. Louis and Chicago, just to mention a few. Having traveling referees was not a normal occurrence in those days. To celebrate his achievements and dedication to the development of officiating within the State of Utah, a Lifetime Achievement Award was established in his name for other referees, instructors and assessors who have made an outstanding contribution to the development of soccer officials within the State of Utah.
2008 Hall Of FameLeendert Hennekes