History was made Friday night in St. Louis, as the MAC Hermann Trophy winner was taken home by the son of a past winner for the first time in the history of the storied award.
Wake Forest’s Ian Harkes, son of former U.S. men’s national team star John Harkes, took home the prestigious trophy. The honor added to the growing trophy case of the Wake Forest midfielder. Harkes earned the ACC Midfielder of the Year, ACC Tournament MVP and NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Offensive Player awards.
“This is a huge honor,” Harkes said. “Of course I have to thank my teammates, because any success that I’ve ever had is due to them. They’ve helped me all four years throughout the ups and downs.”
“I couldn’t be more excited for Ian to win the MAC Hermann Trophy. It’s the most prestigious award in college soccer and he proved time and time again this season that he’s an elite player in our game,” Wake Forest head coach Bobby Muuss said. “His senior season was one for the record books and we couldn’t be more excited for him and his family.”
The four-year starter at Wake Forest has not yet decided on his future. He could join D.C. United in Major League Soccer on a homegrown deal, or he could choose to move overseas. His father played six seasons in England before joining MLS.