Victor DeJong (1974) - Hall of Fame - Brown University Athletics

Victor DeJong

Induction:
1974
Class:
1968

Victor DeJong ’68, a two-time All-American, was rated one of the finest ball-handlers and playmakers in the history of American college soccer. The Netherlands-born left wing, who came to Brown from Levittown, NY, still holds the University record for most assists in one season (11) and career (21). In addition to being named to the All-American team in 1966 and 1967, DeJong had the distinction of making the All-Ivy team three years in a row. He also earned All-New England honors for two years. Born in Holland, DeJong learned to play soccer there in the streets, where he developed his exceptional foot control of the ball. Moving to this country when he was 11, DeJong went on to play junior and high school soccer. In the high school leagues of New York, DeJong’s fancy footwork made him both a celebrity – and a marked man. Coming to Brown in the fall of 1964, DeJong played on an undefeated freshman team, a team that formed the nucleus of perhaps the University’s three finest teams. During the 1965-66-67 seasons, Brown won 36 games, lost two, and tied one. In Ivy League competition the record was even better – a perfect 20-0 mark as the Bears completely dominated the league. There was a string of six straight Ivy titles, starting in 1963 and ending in 1968, although Coach Cliff Stevenson has always felt that the 1967 team, of which DeJong was co-captain, was the best he has had at Brown. DeJong made the college section of the U.S. Olympic team and received several offers to play professional soccer. Instead he joined IBM, later taking a leave of absence to earn his master’s at Harvard in the business administration program.