F.N.B. Stadium has played host to some of the most dramatic moments in modern Pittsburgh soccer history, but on Thursday night, the drama unfolded in the quiet elegance of the stadium’s suites.
It was a night of raw emotion, laughter, and immense gratitude as Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC officially inducted its Class of 2026: former midfield engine Kevin Kerr and team owner Tuffy Shallenberger.
As pointed out by Riverhounds Director of Media Relations, Matt Grubba, Kerr and Shallenberger were the first inductees representing the modern era of the club (moving past the original 1999 inaugural group).
Kerr and Shallenberger’s legacies are permanently intertwined. Together, they represent a rescue mission that took the Hounds from a federal bankruptcy court in 2014 to a modern, thriving powerhouse.
In attendance to honor the new legends were existing Hall of Fame icons, including John Kowalski, David Flavious, Paul Child, and Gary DePalma.
Thank You For Believing
Riverhounds’ Director of Media Relations Matt Grubba served as the Master of Ceremonies, contextualizing the profound weight of this year’s induction:
“Kevin Kerr and Tuffy Shallenberger each left their mark or building their legacy in different ways. But both help shape the Riverhounds into the club that we know today,” Grubba said.
“Tonight we have the opportunity to say something every Hall of Fame deserves to hear, and that’s thank you. Thank you for believing in the club. Thank you for helping to build a culture.”
Grubba pointed out that the 2026 class is incredibly unique because it represents the first step beyond the 1999 foundation into the modern era, recognizing the figures who took the early groundwork and transformed it into the professional standard enjoyed today.
None of Those Words Spring to Mind
The task of introducing Kevin Kerr fell to his former teammate and current Riverhounds Head Coach, Rob Vincent. Vincent immediately brought the room to laughter while describing his first impressions of Kerr’s playing style:
“Kevin the player… acceleration, pace, physical presence, athleticism… none of those words spring to mind when I think of Kevin,” Rob Vincent, who was Kerr’s teammate for three seasons, from 2013 to 2015.
Vincent quickly turned sentimental, highlighting that Kerr’s induction boils down to three pillars: loyalty, longevity, and achievement. In an era where players rarely stick around, Kerr spent seven years (2013-19) wearing the Pittsburgh badge with pride. He finished his career as the club’s all-time assists leader (29) and still holds the record for the most goals scored at F.N.B. Stadium (24).
“I am very lucky to have a friend where we have personally spent countless hours on the phone talking about coaching, talking about the game of soccer… but also talking about life, kids, and growing up in this city,” Vincent said.
A Life-Changing Moment
When “The Archer” took the microphone, he reflected on the blind leap of faith he took when leaving Germany to sign with Pittsburgh in 2013.
“My very first preseason, it was just a turf field with construction around it,” Kerr described.
“I didn’t really know too much about this club, but I wanted to take a leap of faith to America and try it. Pretty quickly during that preseason, I could feel the excitement… and see what people envisioned. It was about finding my love for soccer again.”
Kerr got choked up thanking his wife, Anina, and reflecting on how his kids grew up running around the turf at F.N.B. Stadium. He also paid immense tribute to his classmate, Tuffy Shallenberger:
“I don’t know if anyone has had the impact he has had on Pittsburgh soccer in general,” Kerr added.
“There are people able to play, or good coaches, but he is the driving force pushing this club to where it is going. Creating a place where my kids can dream… that’s a special thing.”
In Pittsburgh, You Better Win
Introduced by his two sons, Tuffy Shallenberger—often more comfortable in a camouflage hat and jeans than a suit—delivered a deeply personal speech.
He took listeners back to the beginning in 2011, when he first got involved simply because his son Skylar wanted to train with the Hounds. After buying the club out of bankruptcy in late 2014, Tuffy had to navigate the brutal realities of professional sports ownership:
“I am the one that was like, if you’re in Pittsburgh, you better win. And when the opportunity came to bring Bob Lilley on board… to this day, Bob Lilley changed the culture of this team. He came in with no BS.”
For Tuffy, the ultimate legacy isn’t just the 2023 Players’ Shield or the 2025 USL Championship title—it’s the massive community footprint. He recalled the Academy starting with “50 kids” and growing into a network of thousands of youth players, and finds most pride when many of those young people earn scholarships.
Tuffy also dropped a major promise for the future of the stadium:
“We’ve got a pretty strong foundation on the women’s side now with the Riveters. Now, the next step is we get this stadium built. I can assure you, we are going to have a 15,000 to 20,000 seat stadium here. And that’s a guarantee.”
Watch Video Highlights From Riverhounds Hall of Fame Ceremony
To capture the full spirit of the night, watch the speeches, introductions, and visual highlights and photos below directly from the F.N.B. Stadium suites:
⚽ Watch the full Riverhounds 2026 Hall of Fame Ceremony on YouTube
Photo Gallery — Riverhounds 2026 Hall of Fame Ceremony
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