On Friday, April 26, 54-year-old former United States Men’s National Team defender Jimmy Banks passed away from pancreatic cancer.
Banks began playing soccer at age six through a Salvation Army program near the city’s Westlawn Housing Projects. He went on to play for Custer High School as well as the famed Milwaukee Bavarians, where he first became acquainted with future U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bob Gansler. Beginning his collegiate career at UW-Parkside in 1983, Banks transferred to join Gansler at UW-Milwaukee.
Banks began his USMNT career during his senior year of college and went on to win 36 caps.