In 1966, Joe Machnik, at the age of 23, coached Long Island University(LIU) to the NCAA Championship Game. Machnik soon thereafter became recognized as America's foremost goalkeeping coach, conducting clinics at coaching schools, conventions and soccer camps nationwide.

In 1977, Machnik started the No.1 Goalkeeper Camp with some 39 goalkeepers from thirteen states participating in that first one week session. Coaches, John Kowalski, Shep Messing and Roy Messing, Mickey Cohen, Peter Johnson and Danny Gasper joined Machnik in putting the young goalkeepers through their paces.

By 1985, it had become evident that goalkeepers had progressed in technical areas but tactical decision making abilities, which could only be tested by field players in match situations was missing. In addition, the lack of goal-scoring abilities was rampant in America and striker's curriculum was needed to provide players with opportunity to enhance technique and composure in front of the goal.

Accordingly, Machnik and Kowalski incorporated field players into the No.1 Soccer Camps program with the addition of the Star Strikers School which was the forerunner of the No. 1 Striker Camp program. Within no time, strikers came from all over the country and the world to attend the unique No. 1 Camps program...Machnik continued to refine the program and update the methodology to get results on both sides of the ball.

In 1996, Sports Illustrated for Kids named No. 1 Camps, TOP CAMP.

Over the years, the No. 1 Camper and Staff Alumni list has developed to become a virtual Who's Who in American Soccer. Names like Greg Andrulis, Dave Vanole, Frans Hoek, Rick Kessel, Rick Schweizer, Mark Dodd, Tony Meola, Brad Freidel, Brianna Scurry, Janusz Michalik, Clark Brisson, Mike Potier, Todd Bramble, Skye Eddy to name a few became synonymous with the No. 1 Camps effort. Current MLS Goalkeepers Kevin Hartman, Joe Cannon, Nick Rimando, and Jon Busch are all graduates of the No.1 Goalkeeper Camp.

No. 1's 30th Anniversary year was a celebration of the development of soccer in America. No. 1 Camps is proud of the role it has played in the development of the American player and looks forward to the next twenty-five years of sharing its pride and joy with boys and girls all over America as they bring America's new game to greater individual and team heights...making it indeed...No. 1!

In recognition of Joe Machnik's contributions to the sport of soccer, he has been named to the Connecticut and New England Soccer Hall of Fame, NISOA National Soccer Hall of Fame (Oneonta) and a FIFA Match Commissioner for World Cup Qualifying and other international games.