Emil John Brcic, the founder of the Soccer Master chain, died on
October 19 from a neurological disorder at his home in west St.
Louis County. Brcic,, 75, and his wife, Shirley, founded Soccer Master
in 1978 in St. Louis,., and it has grown to seven Retail/Team Outlets
located in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas and Arizona.
The Brcics also owns Team Institutional Catalog, a mail order business for players and teams.
He always loved soccer,” Shirley Brcic, his wife of 52 years, told St.
Louis Post-Dispatch. “Raising three boys — who all played the sport
and (were) running all over town trying to get gear — gave Emil the
business opportunity that he was looking for. It would be great just to
go to one place to get everything you need.”
In addition to his wife, Mr. Brcic is survived by three sons, Gary
Brcic of Phoenix, David Brcic of Ellisville and Mark Brcic of Oakville,
; two brothers, Joseph Brcic of Lemay and Thomas Brcic of Cheboygan,
Mich.; and six grandchildren.
