Today, Monday, January 13, 2025, Dr. Karl Heß (1900 -1975) turned 125 years old. Heß is the former chairman of the Lilies and was appointed honorary chairman at the general meeting in 2018.
A life for the Lilies: The German-Jewish Darmstadt lawyer Dr. Karl Heß, born on January 13, 1900, served as deputy chairman of SV Darmstadt 1898 during the Weimar Republic period from 1924 and from 1928 to 1933 as chairman. Born and raised in Darmstadt, he passed his school exams at the Altes Realgymnasium in 1918. This was followed by law studies in Giessen and a doctorate in Heidelberg. In 1926 Dr. Karl Heß established himself as a lawyer in Darmstadt.
Because Karl Heß was of German Jewish faith, the Nazis banned him from working at the beginning of the Nazi dictatorship and drove him out of his home in Darmstadt: He had to flee Germany in 1933 – first to southern France, then to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil at the beginning of 1934. In exile, he and his wife supported the family with a small business for over twenty years. Only later was Karl Heß able to work again in his actual job as a lawyer and headed the branch of the United Restitution Organisation in Rio de Janeiro. In this role, he represented compensation claims from those persecuted by the Nazis and victims of the Holocaust.
Despite his persecution and expulsion, Karl Heß continued to maintain close ties to Darmstadt and SV Darmstadt 98 after Germany was liberated from the Nazi dictatorship. In 1955 he visited his old hometown again for the first time and in 1963 he dared to return to Darmstadt with his wife. By 1968, the trained lawyer found work in the city’s legal office. Heß formulated his credo in 1965 as follows: „I did not come back as a Jew, but as a Jewish German who did not want to let Hitler have the triumph of having robbed him of his homeland.“
After his retirement, he initially stayed in Darmstadt, but left his homeland in southern Hesse again in 1973 to spend his twilight years with his son’s family in Porto Alegre, Brazil where he died on April 15, 1975 and was laid to rest. During the Weimar Republic, Karl Heß played a key role in the development of his SV Darmstadt 98 as a sports official and enthusiastic football fan. He represents numerous German-Jewish athletes, coaches, club chairmen, managers and sports sponsors who fell victim to the Nazis‘ racial madness and anti-Semitism.
A memorial plaque against forgetting and the Karl Heß-Platz in front of the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor, which was inaugurated on January 15, 2017, are intended to commemorate the life’s work of Dr. Remember Karl Heß, but also the injustice committed by the Nazis.
SV Darmstadt 98 informed all season ticket holders about the season ticket procedure for the 2026/27 season on Wednesday (May 6th) and would also like to share this letter on the club's own website.
Autographs, photos, and personal encounters with the Lilies: You'll have the opportunity to do so on Thursday (May 7th) from 5pm to 6pm. As part of an autograph session presented by Merck, Patric Pfeiffer, Kai Klefisch, and Fynn Lakenmacher will be at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. You'll also receive a ten percent discount in the fan shop during this time.
Darmstadt's 2-1 defeat at Karlsruher SC also ended any remaining theoretical hopes the South Hessian club had of finishing the season in the top three. The loss at the Wildpark stadium served somewhat as a symbol for the past few weeks, during which SV 98 had only managed one point from five matches since the international break in March. Following the game on Sunday afternoon, the Darmstadt players addressed the assembled media representatives with mixed feelings.
Three points! SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team secured a victory in the Lotto Hessenliga on Saturday afternoon (May 2nd). In their match against Hünfelder SV, the young Lilies overcame an early deficit to clinch a convincing 3-1 win. This result puts the U21 team currently outside the relegation zone. "Our trend is clearly upward," said a delighted U21 coach Sebastian Schmitt.
The successful collaboration between the Hessian Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports Association (HBRS) and SV Darmstadt 98 will continue long-term: Both partners have extended their existing agreement to promote inclusive sports indefinitely. This sends a clear signal for the sustainable development of inclusion and disability sports in Hesse.
A bitter end in Karlsruhe: After 90 entertaining minutes in which both teams sought salvation in attack, Darmstadt suffered a narrow defeat. The final score was 2-1 after a late goal from the home side, following Isac Lidberg's earlier equaliser. After the match, the players were particularly frustrated with the missed opportunities in the first half.
The away form continues to be poor: SV 98 suffered a 2-1 (0-0) defeat against Karlsruher SC. Lidberg scored the equaliser for the team from southern Hesse in the 70th minute.
Darmstadt 98 visit Karlsruher SC on matchday 32 (May 3rd, 1:30 PM). Florian Kohfeldt has made five changes to his starting lineup. Killian Corredor replaces the injured Fraser Hornby, Aleksandar Vukotic comes in for the suspended Patric Pfeiffer, and Fabian Holland starts in place of Matej Maglica, who is sidelined with an ankle injury. Merveille Papela and Niklas Schmidt also join the team, replacing Sergio Lopez and Yosuke Furukawa. In addition to Hornby, Pfeiffer, and Maglica, Darmstadt will also be without the injured Matthias Bader, Fabian Nürnberger, and Luca Marseiler.
Finally, the weekend is here, finally Sunday! On Sunday afternoon (May 3rd, 1:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will face Karlsruher SC away. What do the two coaches have to say about the match, who will be refereeing, and where can you watch it if you're not at the stadium? All the important information about the Lilies' 32nd matchday is compiled for you here in "Matchday Guide".
Continuity in sporting management: SV Darmstadt 98 has extended Paul Fernie's contract early and for the long term. As part of the contract extension, the current sporting director will move into the club's management board and will now serve as managing director of sport.
Our head coach spoke at the press conference before the away game against Karlsruher SC (May 3rd/1:30pm) about the mental freshness of his team, the course of action for the remaining games and his coaching colleague, whose commitment to KSC will end after six years this season.
Left hook, 'One hundred and eightyyyyyyy', and hand over the baton. Doesn't sound like football – and that's true. KSC is often associated with professional football, but with the sheer number of titles the club has won, it's worth looking beyond the pitch. Titles from Baden-Württemberg to Rome.