Fritz Walter (football executive)
Fritz Walter ( born March 15, 1900 in Cannstatt near Stuttgart; † 5 January 1981) Epithet: The doctor who was teacher and 1944-1968 President of the sports club VfB Stuttgart.
He not only led VfB Stuttgart by his most successful era, but was also in offices in many association committees (for example, as Chairman of the Committee of contract players DFB), a pioneer of German football after the end of World War II.
Youth
After he had made his high school and was for half a year in the First World War in action, he joined VfB Stuttgart in 1919 as a member. At that time he already studied German and Romance languages and English. As a young Dr. phil. he was early 1923 Secretary of VfB Stuttgart.
Presidential VfB Stuttgart
He succeeded in obtaining the consent of the American General Jackson to the establishment of a South German Oberliga. Thus began thanks to Fritz Walter the point gaming operations in the fall of 1945 in a zone-wide league, while in the rest of Germany was because not even have to think. Fritz Walter played a key role in the rise of VfB Stuttgart to a South German and German top club. He avoided to overthrow the club in financial incalculable risks. But since you wanted more and more success at any price other clubs he was increasingly pushed from their own ranks to an " offensive " purchasing policy. And so it was, after Senator Hans Weitpert who stood up for this new purchasing policy, and so only as Advisor to the Board was to replace then in 1969 Dr. Walter as President. As Weitperts new purchasing policy the club finally brought in great financial hardships which VfB eventually led to the inevitable descent, Dr. Walter felt with 75 years of not being able to join the emergency board when he was needed again. Despite his disappointment over the development of the VfB after his departure took was always made his attachment to VfB Stuttgart.
During the presidency of Fritz Walter, VfB was twice German football champion (1950 and 1952) and twice won the DFB Cup (1954 and 1958). Ironically, Stuttgart joined at the championships for four years with the 1st FC Kaiserslautern from, which was led by Fritz Walter football players. Even today, carries a road and a house in Bad Cannstatt his name, found in the young football player accommodation and care.
On January 28, 1970 Dr. Fritz Walter was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit 1st class of the Federal President and handed over by the Lord Mayor Arnulf Klett and the Government of President Friedrich Roemer.