Legends of Rucanor
Since it's founding in 1956, Rucanor is a sponsor of many legends in many sports around the world. From soccer to field hockey, from snowboarding to beach volleyball.
ron fraser, baseball icon from the usa and a rucanor ambassador in the 1960's
He was impressed with all the efforts of Rucanor to introduce the Baseball sport in the Netherlands. The development of the Baseball sport was the main drive of Ron Fraser. In the USA, baseball was already in those years one of the main sports. After a short period as active player, Ron Fraser had a very impressive carrier as college baseball coach at the University of Miami (1963 - 1992!). As ‘The wizard of college baseball’ he was the one who made college baseball to what it is today. With a permanent lobby, and due to the excellent performance of his teams, college baseball became live on TV. And in the 1970's he was the driving force of the creation f the new Miami stadium. His 'business model' was copied around the USA. Off course he was a high frequent visitor of the games after his retirement in 1992.
willy van der kuylen, soccer legend at dutch psv eindhoven
Still Holland’s #1 top scorer ever in Dutch soccer history. With a total of 311 goals, of which 308 at PSV Eindhoven during 1964 - 1981. Based on this record one would expect Willy van der Kuylen would be making top 10 of ‘most selected Internationals’. However, he has been only 22 games for the National team, during which he scored 7 times. Mid 1970’s a fight between PSV’s Willy van der Kuylen and Jan van Beveren and Ajax’s Johan Cruijff and Johan Neeskens ended his career at the Dutch National team. After his active career Willy van der Kuylen remained active at PSV as the youth coach and assistant coach. Today he is one of PSV’s international scouts. Next to the famous PSV stadium a statue of Willy van der Kuylen can be found.
PAUL LITJENS, STILL HOLLANDS BEST TOPSCORER FIELD HOCKEY WITH 277 GOALS
In 177 plays for the Dutch national field hockey team, Paul Litjens achieved 277 goals. This is still the most scores by any Dutch player since World War Two! He was one of the legendary players that became World Champion in 1973 by beating India. During the Summer Olympics of 1976, Paul Litjens scored 11 times and became top scorer. In 1981 he won the Champions Trophy with the Dutch national team at Karachi. Paul Litjens is still member of the board of his ‘old team’ Kampong. During the 1970’s he was the anchorman for the Rucanor Karachi King hockey stick’s. Corner specialist Litjen’s really new how to handle his Rucanor Karachi King!
JEAN-MARIE PFAFF, ONE OF 125 BEST SOCCER PLAYERS IN 2004 BY PELE
At the age of 16, Pfaff joined K.S.K. Beveren with whom he won a Belgian champions title (1979) and a Belgian Cup (1978). The same year, he received the Belgian Golden Shoe. In 1982, he entered the Bayern Munich squad, getting three Bundesliga titles (from 1985 to 1987) and two German cups (1984 and 1986).Pfaff first played with the Red Devils in 1976 against legendary rival the Netherlands. He was the goalkeeper during Euro 80 and 84, and the 1982 and 1986 World Cups. Pfaff is named by Pele as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004. He is now a TV star in Belgium with the reality show De Pfaffs (view www.jmpfaff.be) showing him and his family in 2003.
JAN VAN BEVEREN, ONE OF HOLLAND’S BEST GOALIE’S EVER
In 1967 at the age of 19 years old Jan van Beveren made it’s debut at the Dutch national soccer team. The head coach at that time had seen the talent and replaced, to the surprise of many, the legendary goalie Eddie Pieters Graafland. Still, Jan van Beveren played only 32 matches for the national team (Edwin van der Sar is over 100 selections already!). His career ended as well due to the fight between Willy van der Kuylen versus Ajax’s Johan Cruijff and Johan Neeskens. In 1980 Jan van Beveren moves to the USA where he will play for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and the Dallas Sidekicks. At this moment, Jan van Beveren is the head coach of Spindletop Select Soccer, Beaumont, USA.