Hall of Fame
Steven Alan Friedman '89 was a four-year letterwinner for the Oberlin College men's soccer team from 1985 to 1988. A team captain, Friedman earned numerous all-conference, all-state, and all-region honors during his career. As a senior in 1988, he was named a Second-Team NCAA Division III All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. He also received Adidas Academic All-America honorable mention recognition across all collegiate divisions.
Friedman graduated from Oberlin in 1989 with a degree in philosophy and economics before earning his law degree from the University of Chicago in 1992. Following law school, he served as a law clerk for United States District Court Judge John M. Manos. After his clerkship, he joined Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P., where he practiced as a commercial litigator. He remains a partner with the firm now known as Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP.
Friedman continued to make an impact through soccer after his playing career. In 1997, he co-founded Cleveland MetroKicks, F.C., a charitable youth soccer organization that provided Saturday morning soccer clinics first at the East Cleveland Recreation Center and later at the Glenville Recreation Center until 2007. Friedman served as co-chair of the organization's board while taking primary responsibility for its coaching and instruction.
In 2014, Friedman joined the Board of Cleveland Scores, a charitable organization that provides soccer and poetry after-school programs in 16 Cleveland elementary schools. He served on the Board of Directors until 2023, when he moved to the Advisory Board, where he currently serves. Earlier this year, Cleveland Scores awarded him the Peter L. Galvin Award, given to honor individuals who have provided exceptional volunteer service to the organization.
