UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Former two-time all American and member of the 1956 US Soccer Olympic team, Richard “Dick” Packer passed away Friday evening at the age of 90. Packer was a forward for the Nittany Lions from 1953-55.
“We are so saddened by the passing of our men’s soccer program icon Dick Packer,” said the head coach of Penn State Men’s Soccer, Jeff Cook. “Penn State meant so much to Dick, and he has been a steadfast supporter and dedicated alumnus throughout his lifetime. Dick’s achievements on the soccer field as a two-time All-American, a national champion, and a member of the 1956 Olympic team are simply legendary. I am so grateful to have enjoyed Dick’s friendship, he leaves an impressive legacy with us. Beyond his talent as a soccer player, his sincerity, integrity and authenticity will be the lasting traits that remain in our memory of him. On behalf of everyone at Penn State Soccer, we send Joan and Dick’s entire family our most sincere condolences at this sad time. We will all miss Dick terribly, but his impact on the Nittany Lions will never be forgotten.”
Packer, who graduated in 1956, was a key part, if not the reason for Penn State’s 1954 and 1955 national championship runs. He led the program to a combined 17-0-0 record and the team outscored its opponents 91-22 under his play.
His offensive records at Penn State are ones that may never be touched. In the team’s nine game season in 1955, Packer totaled 24 goals and 50 points, the most goals and points in a single season by a Nittany Lion. Both records still sit atop the Penn State record books. The closest any PSU player has ever come to his point total was Corey Hertzog in 2010, when he tallied 46 points in 25 games.
In December 1955, Packer joined the Uhrik Truckers of the American Soccer League (ASL). By that time, he had been selected for the U.S. Olympic Soccer team as it prepared for the 1956 Summer Olympics. The team competed against Yugoslavia in the quarterfinals after receiving a first-round bye. To maintain his amateur, he played without pay with Truckers. The Truckers won the 1955-56 ASL championship with Packer coming off the bench and scoring two goals in the title game.
At graduation, Packer entered the Air Force as a second lieutenant after attending ROTC at Penn State. He served until 1959, until departing to rejoin Uhrik and continue his playing career until 1968. Even after his playing career, the Newtown, Pennsylvania, native continued to be involved in the soccer realm, running the Packer Soccer Camp for over 40 years of his life.