Jim Leeker, a native St. Louisan, was the 1970 North American League (NASL) Rookie of the Year and went on to play a total of three seasons in the league. In 1965, Leeker joined St. Louis Kutis S.C. He then went on to attend St. Louis University where he played on the men’s soccer team from 1966 to 1969. In 1969, Leeker and his teammates won the NCAAMen’s Soccer Championship. In 1970, Leeker signed with the St. Louis Stars of the NASL. That year, he played in 22 games and scored five goals and was named the NASL’s top rookie. He continued to play for the Stars until 1972. Leeker then joined St. Louis Kutis where he was named the 1972 Khoury Professional Player of the Year.