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Team Berlin Celebrates Otto Höhne's 100th Birthday

Otto Höhne, the longtime president and honorary president of the Berlin Soccer Association who passed away in 2024, will not be able to celebrate his 100th birthday himself; nevertheless, this day is not a cause for mourning, but rather an opportunity to honor an outstanding figure in soccer.

“Otto Höhne dedicated his entire life to his passion for soccer, always upholding values such as approachability, authenticity, and openness to the world,” recalls BFV President Bernd Schultz, who took over Höhne’s position at the helm of the association in 2004. “Both at the association level and at his beloved F.C. Hertha 03 Zehlendorf, people held him in the highest regard. He always had an open ear for the concerns of grassroots players, a keen sense for social issues, and made significant strides for Berlin soccer in terms of sports policy. His 100th birthday is a fitting occasion to honor him and his contributions to soccer in recognition of his professional and personal qualities.”

Three people are pictured in a brightly lit room in front of several historical exhibition panels. One person is sitting in a wheelchair in the center of the frame, while the other two are standing to the left and right of that person. All three are wearing formal attire. The exhibition panels in the background display historical photographs, texts, and dates. The time periods “1897–1908” and “1908–” are clearly visible on two of the panels. The panels are predominantly designed in shades of white, gray, and red and feature various images from the history of a company or institution. The room has large windows or light-colored wall sections that let in plenty of natural light. The floor consists of polished stone or marble with areas of varying colors. A radiator grille can be seen on the right side of the image, with additional exhibition elements on the left. The people are positioned centrally in front of the exhibition panels and are looking toward the camera. The photo conveys the impression of an official visit, an award ceremony, or a group photo taken as part of an exhibition or event.
Otto Höhne (center) with his successor Bernd Schultz (right) and his predecessor Uwe Hammer (left) in 2022 at the ceremony marking the 125th anniversary of the BFV at the Rotes Rathaus. Photo: Sandra Ritschel

Otto Höhne – A Life Dedicated to Soccer

Höhne began his career as a soccer official as early as 1947, when, as part of his work as a teacher, he served as chairman for league games in the Kreuzberg district. Further roles in the education sector followed. Starting in 1956, Höhne also served in his spare time as a volunteer coach for F.C. Hertha 03 Zehlendorf, eventually serving as its president from 1964 to 1984. He made an indelible mark through the organization and execution of numerous trips abroad, as well as his strong commitment to international understanding. Well into his old age, he traveled with teams and club colleagues to countries on every continent, where they played friendly matches and fostered close ties with the local people. Furthermore, during his tenure, F.C. Hertha 03 celebrated its greatest athletic successes, such as winning the Berlin championship three times and qualifying twice for the Bundesliga promotion round.

Two people are standing side by side indoors, holding a large trophy together. The trophy consists of a silver-colored base shaped like several upward-pointing elements and a gold-colored sphere at the top. Both people are wearing dark suits with shirts and ties. In the background, a large red-and-white club banner is visible. On it is a round logo featuring the clearly legible letters “BFV,” as well as the inscription “FUSSBALL-” in the upper section and “e.V.” in the lower section. The logo also features a stylized depiction of a bear. On the left side of the frame, a houseplant with green leaves extends into the shot. On the right stands a transparent lectern or a similar element made of glass or acrylic. The shot is brightly lit and focuses on the joint presentation of the trophy in front of the club banner. The photo conveys the impression of an official ceremony, award ceremony, or recognition in a sports setting.
At the 2004 New Year's reception, Otto Höhne (left) presented Uwe Seeler (right) with the BFV's Golden Soccer Ball. Photo: Jürgen Engler

In 1990, Otto Höhne succeeded Uwe Hammer as president of the Berlin Soccer Association. In this role, too, his instinct for unity and cohesion was immediately put to the test, as the unification of the East and West Berlin soccer associations was one of his first major achievements. In addition, in his role as BFV president, Otto Höhne successfully advocated for Berlin to become the permanent host of the men’s DFB Cup Final, which had been held in the capital since 1985. In 1992, he also introduced the “Golden Soccer Ball” as the Berlin Football Association’s most prestigious award, to provide a fitting tribute to deserving individuals.

A person is standing at a lectern or behind a wooden railing, speaking into a microphone. The person is wearing a dark suit with a shirt and a patterned tie. One hand is raised slightly, as if to emphasize a lecture or speech with an accompanying gesture. To the left of the microphone, a glass filled with water sits on the railing. In the background are large green houseplants that cover part of the wall. Curtains and dark areas of the stage are also visible. The photo was apparently taken in an event hall or assembly hall. The lighting focuses on the speaker, while the background is kept slightly darker. The colors in the image are dominated by the dark tones of the clothing, the warm wooden elements, and the rich green of the plants. The photo conveys the impression of an official speech, a welcoming address, or a presentation given as part of an event, an award ceremony, or a gathering.
Throughout his life, Otto Höhne championed communication and mutual respect. Photo: BFV

From 1990 to 2004, Otto Höhne also served as vice president of the NOFV and as a member of the DFB Executive Committee. In addition, he was a member of the founding board of the DFB Egidius Braun Foundation beginning in 2001. In 2004, after stepping down from his positions on the Presidium and Executive Committee, the BFV named him Honorary President, and the NOFV and DFB named him an honorary member. Since 2011, Höhne has served on the Board of Trustees of the DFB Egidius Braun Foundation and, until 2016, on the DFB Honors Council. Otto Höhne was honored for his outstanding contributions to the sport of soccer with the BFV Medal of Honor, the Order of Merit of the State of Berlin, the NOFV Honorary Plaque, the DFB Honorary Pin, the LSB Golden Honorary Pin, and the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

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