SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that Richard Mulrooney and Dave Obenour have been elected to the Earthquakes Hall of Fame. Mulrooney and Obenour will become the 12th and 13th people inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame during halftime of the team’s match against the Chicago Fire on Saturday, May 18, presented by Audi.
Mulrooney played for the Clash/Quakes from 1999-04 and helped the club win both of its MLS Cup championships in 2001 and 2003. The third-overall selection by the San Jose Clash in the 1999 MLS College Draft would go on to enjoy a 12-year MLS career that also included more than a dozen appearances for the U.S. National Team.
"I'm truly humbled to be seen in this light by the organization,” said Mulrooney. “It's an honor and one that would not have happened without the help of my teammates, coaches, family and friends."
Mulrooney was a major contributor for the Earthquakes during his six-year stint with the club and his name remains littered throughout the team’s record books. He ranks first in game-winning assists (14) and corner kicks taken (456), second in assists (44), and sixth in appearances (163), starts (155) and minutes played (14,204) among all players in club history.
He was also selected to the MLS All-Star team twice in his six years with the club (2002, 2004) and is one of just 10 players in MLS history to tally seven or more assists in five consecutive seasons (2000-04). Additionally, he notched two assists in one of the biggest matches in Quakes history – a four-goal comeback victory over the rival LA Galaxy in the 2003 MLS Cup Playoffs.
A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Mulrooney is currently the head coach of the men’s soccer team at the University of Memphis.
Obenour worked for the Earthquakes from 1974-80 as the club’s first-ever athletic trainer. He also served in a variety of other capacities, overseeing equipment, team administration and public relations. He was critical in the successful launch of the Earthquakes during their inaugural season in the North American Soccer League. He made numerous appearances around the Bay Area on behalf of the club to promote the team and the sport. Additionally, Obenour learned enough Serbo-Croatian to help translate between former Quakes head coach Ivan Toplak and the players. He would also occasionally do postgame press conferences in place of Momčilo "Gabbo" Gavrić.
“This organization has had so many great goal-scorers and goalkeepers, so to be in the same category as Johnny Moore, Milan Mandarić and those guys is indescribable,” said Obenour. “It’s one of the greatest honors that I have ever received.”
After his time with the Quakes, Obenour went back to serving as the physical trainer at De Anza College until his retirement in August 2000. He remains a loyal follower of the club and is heavily involved in the team’s alumni relations efforts.
