When left Fairleigh Dickinson University as a three-time All-American more than 20 years ago, Mequon resident and retired Milwaukee Wave all-time leading scorer Michael

King longed for the fresh air and roaring crowds of outdoor major league professional soccer. But soccer in the United States was going through a transition, so King had to settle for the cramped but speedy and very noisy indoor game. It turned out to be good enough. King spent 22 years indoors, 15 of which with the Wave, and racked up a remarkable 766 goals and four championship rings. His commitment that will be honored at the U.S. Cellular Arena on Sunday, Feb. 15 prior to the Wave’s 2 p.m. game with the Detroit Ignition when his number 13 jersey will be retired and join just three others hanging from the Arena’s rafters. “I just tried to make the most of my opportunities,†King said. “I really couldn’t play outdoor soccer at the level I wanted to so I took the indoor option. It turned out to serve me well.†A hard-charging, charismatic forward, King developed a large following with the Wave after he joined them in 1993-94. The Wave was the fourth and final indoor team the London-born King played for. He fit in well with the community with both his entertaining style of play and commitment to his adopted city. The ceremony on Sunday will honor King’s philanthropic ventures as much as his play. Many years ago, he joined with long-time Wave trainer Larry Sayles in becoming involved with the MACC Fund, the well-known children’s cancer organization. Sayles’ wife was chair of the Women for MACC arm of the charity as their son was in the midst of a fight against brain cancer that is currently in remission.
“In fact, if the economy holds together we’ll go over $1 million raised this year,†he said.