Meritorious Service Inductees Bios

John Schlenker (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2024

John Schlenker has been involved in many areas of soccer in Virginia. He has coached in WAGS, NCSL and ODSL. He was the Founder and President of the Fauquier Adult Soccer League and the Warrenton Fields Association. He served as Treasurer and Board Member of the Fauquier Soccer Club, and has served on many Community Service Committees. Among all this, over twenty years ago, John Schlenker started one of the first TOPSoccer Programs in Virginia. The Outreach Program for Soccer, or TOPS, is a recreational sports program for children and adults with intellectual, emotional, or physical disabilities. He has been the Piedmont Soccer Club’s TOPSoccer Head Coach, a Special Olympics Coach, a Certified US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Coach, and a VYSA TOPSoccer Chair from 2002 to present. John, for his years of dedication to TOPSoccer, has received the VYSA Dave Williams Memorial TOPSoccer Exemplary Service Award, and the Virginia Soccer Association’s Circle of Excellence Award. For athletes with special needs, soccer coach John Schlenker is a superhero.  His nonstop energy is fueled by passion for “the beautiful game” – and a cause deep in his heart which began when his daughter Katie, who has Down syndrome, expressed an interest in playing soccer like her siblings. John Schlenker has made his mark in making the game of soccer “the game for ALL KIDS.”

 

Lula Bauer (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2024

 

Growing up, Lula Bauer loved playing sports. Her passion for them continued throughout high school and college, wherein she studied physical education and earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from George Mason University. In 1981, she was part of the GW University Hospital surgical team that attended to President Ronald Reagan’s wounds after he was shot. She and her team went on to be featured in the movie “Saving of the President” and in the book, “Rawhide Down.” Lula has been coaching soccer in the Lee Mt. Vernon Soccer Club (LMTVSC) for more than 30 years.  She is the Women’s Head Soccer Coach, and the Club’s Executive Director. Her proudest contribution to player development is when, while serving on the WAGS Board of Directors in 2004, she worked alongside Walt Lenar and Tom Goodman to introduce the “small-sided” format to league play. Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA) had its first U-12 small-sided Cup competition in 2006, and the VYSA U-12 Girls Champion was the LMTV Patriots—coached by Lula Bauer. During Lula’s educative career, she found that she was always either the only female, or one of two females, in her coaching courses. Desperately wanting to change that narrative, Lula paved the way for several historical soccer firsts: all-female coaching education and referee certification courses in 2018, and an all-female international coaching education trip in 2019—with all-female coaching education instructors. Since 2017, she has been serving as the Chairwoman for Women’s and Girls in Soccer (WAGS). Throughout her leadership in WAGS, she was instrumental in having WAGS be a major sponsor for the VA-DC Soccer Hall of Fame Committee’s Annual Golf Tournament. Lula Bauer was named the VYSA and Region I Girls Competitive Coach of the Year. She received the prestigious “DC Iconic” Woman’s Award, and is a member of the inaugural 2021 Class presented by the Washington Spirit.

 

Brian Ahearn (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2023

Brian was a valuable and dedicated official with the Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA) and the Metro DC-Virginia State Referee Program for three decades. He served in the following capacities: (1) USSF Certified Referee for 23 years, 1986 to 2008; (2) USSF Referee Instructor for 17 years, 1992 to 2008; (3) USSF Referee Assessor for 17 years, 1992 to 2008; and (4) USSF Assignor for 20 years, 1995 to 2014. As a Referee he officiated league games for NCSL and WAGS, and VYSA State Cup games. He also officiated Semi-Pro League games. As an Assessor he assessed USSF Referees officiating NCSL and WAGS Games and VYSA State Cup games. Brian was selected to be a member of the VYSA Assessor contingent attending the US Youth Soccer Region I ODP Tournament and the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships for 7 years, 1992 though 1998. The VYSA Board of Directors appointed Brian as the State Youth Referee Administrator (SYRA). He served in this position from 1992 to 1998. During his tenure as the SYRA, he worked closely with the State Referee Administrator and the State Referee Technical Staff to improve the quality of soccer refereeing for all youth games. In addition, he served as a member of the State Referee Committee (SRC). Brian’s dedication, expertise, and hard work for both VYSA and the Metro-DC Virginia State Referee Program made him a very valuable asset to both organizations.

 

Doug Engstrom (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2023

Doug Engstrom is a former Marine and a retired teacher in the Virginia public schools. Doug started in soccer coaching his son and earned his USSF Soccer “C’ License. Doug began refereeing at the age of 41 taking his first assignments with Prince William Soccer. As a former US Marine, he was indeed fit and able to keep up with the players in their matches. He then requested assignments with NCSL and WAGS and his career as a referee was now on a fast pace despite his late start. Doug persevered, taking assignments from Richmond to Baltimore and beyond. Doug officiated Youth games for 22 years, 1988-2010, officiated Amateur games for 11 years, 2000-2010; officiated Collegiate games for 11 years 2000-2010, and officiated Professional games for six years 2005-2010. In the year 2000 at the age of 53 Doug became a USSF National Referee and remained at that grade for four years before stepping back to a USSF Regional Referee and remained at that grade for two years. Doug became a National Emeritus Referee in 2006 and retired from refereeing in 2010. The Emeritus Status is an Honor to show respect for a distinguished career). Doug did not hesitate to share with his fellow officials his unparalleled knowledge and experience in developing and maintaining referee-specific fitness. Self-effacing to a fault, Doug focused on commending the accomplishment of those who assisted him when refereeing or the accomplishments of those who refereed when he served as an AR or 4th official.

 

Peter Mehlert (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2023

Peter Mehlert was an outstanding player for Walter Johnson HS in Bethesda. In 1965 and 1966 he was First-Team Selection, Washington Post and Washington Star All-Met DC HS Soccer Team. Player for Boston University, 1968-1970 named to the Greater Boston Collegiate Soccer Conference All Star Team; In 1968 named All-New England (College Division) and in 1970 named All-New England (University Division; and in 1970 named Boston University, Most Valuable Player. Peter was the Head Men’s soccer coach at American University from 1972-1991, with an overall record of 201-122-38. During that time, AU appeared in NCAA Division I Tournament four times, 1978, 1979 (quarterfinals), 1984 (round of 16), 1985 (NCAA Final); over the years, team had an average of 3-1/2 scholarships out of 11 allowed; During these years, the soccer team also had the greatest number of academic All-Americans, more than all other sports at AU. He petitioned and coached the first-ever Women’s team at American University (1990). Had a .785 winning percentage, and still holds many of the teams’ records to this date, including the longest unbeaten streak (12) and the longest winning streak (9). From 1974-1976 he was an Assistant Coach/Chief Scout/Trainer, for the Washington Diplomats and from 1976-1980 a Chief Scout (US Collegiate Players) for the New England and Jacksonville Teamen. 1993-1995, VYSA ODP Director of Coaching, Northern District; 1988, Director, USYS Region I ODP Summer Camp; 1988, 1983-1986, Assistant Head Coach, Region I Boys ODP; 1988, Staff, Coach/Selector, National Camp for U-18 US Men’s National Team, US Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, Colorado; 1987, Head Coach (Interim) Region I Boys ODP and Team Administrator, Region I U-16 Boys ODP Team in the Under 16 National Tournament for selection to the Under 16 US National Team, US Olympic Training Center. Peter earned many honors and awards throughout his extensive and dedicated coaching career. In 1998 he was inducted into the American University Hall of Fame. In 1985 named National Coach of the Year, NSCAA (NCAA Division 1); 1985, 1984, 1979, Three-Time Coach of the Year, Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year, Intercollegiate Soccer Association of America (NCAA Division 1); 1986, 1985, 1983 and 1979, Four-Time Coach of the Year, Capital Collegiate Conference (Greater Washington DC Area Universities; 1985, CAA Coach of the Year; 1984, Coach of the Year, ECAC-South Soccer Conference; and 1979, Coach of the Year, East Coast Conference.

 

Chris Norris (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2023

Chris was a team leader on and off the field when he played for WT Woodson HS in Fairfax and with his club team the VISTA Hurricanes - two-time U-19 Boys VYSA State Champions, USYS Region I Champions and in 1992 the USYS McGuire Cup National Champions. Norris was already kicking around the idea of a soccer coaching career when he arrived on the William & Mary campus as a freshman in 1991. He played in 84 games with 81 starts from 1991 through 1994. A Team Captain his senior year, he led the tribe to a then-school record 18 wins in 1994. Selected First-Team All-CAA 1993 and 1994, First-Team All-State 1994 and Second-Team All-South Atlantic Region in 1994. In the fall of 1995 Chris became an Assistant Coach for the men’s team under Al Albert. During his tenure as Assistant Coach, he helped lead the Tribe to seven NCAA Tournament appearances, four CAA tournament Championships, three CAA regular season crowns and in 1996 the team set a school record for wins (20). In 2004 Chris Norris took over the helm as Head Coach for the men’s team. He guided the Tribe to the NCAA Tournament four times (2008, 2010, 2013 and 2017), including a berth in the Sweet Sixteen in 2010, guided the Tribe to a pair of CAA Championships in 2010 and 2017, named CAA Coach of the Year and NSCAA South Atlantic Regional Coach of the Year in 2010, a two-time VASID State Coach of the Year selection, 2010 and 2017 and in 2018 for the third time named the William & Mary Alumni Association Coach of the Year Chris Norris has coached three All-Americans, two CAA Player of the Year, one CAA Defensive Player of the Year, one CAA Rookie of the Year, 20 All-Region selections, 61 All-CAA players, and 24 All-Rookie selections. Academically, Norris-coached players have earned seven Academic All-American honors and his team own eight United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Awards. A long-time member of the Tribe men’s soccer program Chris Norris wrapped up his 32nd season overall at the College of William & Mary and his 19th as the program’s head soccer coach in 2022. A 1995 graduate of William & Mary, Chris Norris has significantly impacted the programs history of success.

 

Eugene "Gene" Mishalow (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2022

Gene Mishalow played collegiate soccer at Southern Illinois University from 1973 to 1976. He played professionally for the Washington Diplomats in 1977 and 1978 and the Cleveland Force in 1979. Gene joined the Braddock Road Youth Club (BRYC) in 1980 and was the club’s first Technical Director. He was responsible for building the club’s infrastructure from scratch, hiring, and mentoring the coaching staff, and developing the playing curriculum and identity. The club flourished under Gene’s leadership developing a powerful local, regional, and national brand capturing 46 VYSA State Cup Championships, 17 USYS Region I Championships, and 1 USYS National Championship in the first 10 years. Over the course of Gene’s 28-year tenure as TD/DOC for BRYC, the club captured 102 VYSA State Championships, 29 USYS Region I Championships and 3 USYS National Championships. In addition, to building the BRYC Travel Soccer program, Gene also enjoyed coaching success with youth, and adult programs at Northern Virginia Majestics as well as DC United. He was the Assistant Coach at George Mason University when in 1985 George Mason defeated UNC to become the Women’s NCAA Champions. In 2000, Gene was named the VYSA Boys Competitive Coach of the Year and the USYS Region I Boys Competitive Coach of the Year. In 2009, Gene was named the US Development Academy Director for McLean Youth Soccer. He served in that position from 2009-2011. While the above accomplishments are impressive on their own, Gene, without a doubt, has had a major impact on thousands of players, and hundreds of coaches over his 40+ year career in the Northern Virginia Soccer scene. He was responsible for the development and education of many players and coaches that are in the current Virginia-DC Soccer Hall of Fame.

 

Keith Tucker (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2022

For forty years Coach Keith Tucker has nurtured and grown the game of Soccer in the District of Columbia at every level from the Division 1 college to US coed recreational youth soccer. Born in Bermuda, Coach Tucker came to the United States to attend Howard University as an undergraduate, and to play varsity soccer for the Division 1 Howard University Bison under Lincoln Phillips. In 1981, Coach Tucker became the Head Coach of Howard University’s Men’s Soccer where he remained for the following 27 seasons. In 1988, he was named Division 1 Men’s Coach of the year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. In 2007, Coach Tucker was named the Head Coach of the Bermuda National Team. Along with a stellar collegiate and international career, Coach Tucker did not neglect the local youth soccer scene in DC. Working with the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, Soccer ’94 and the US Soccer Foundation, Coach Tucker brought soccer programming to Recreation Centers in every ward in DC. At the club level, he coached and inspired a legendary group of young players, both boys and girls, at the Takoma DC Recreation field. As a result, most of these players went on to attend college and graduate school. Many played at the collegiate level. Some went on to play for the US National Team and professionally. Since 2011 Coach Tucker has continued to coach soccer for DC Scores. Coach Tucker remains a beloved figure on DC Scores fields.

 

Simon Cargill (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2021

Simon served in many different capacities in soccer in Virginia whenever there was a need.  He coached the 1973 Herndon Sabers from 1983-1986.  He was the age group coordinator for the 1973 Division II in the Washington Area Girls Soccer League from 1983-1986 and also served as the age group coordinator for the WAGS Tournament for the 1973 B flight from 1984-1986. Simon also served as the R&D Director for the WAGS League and was on the WAGS Board of Directors from 1986-1995. Simon also served in many positions with Virginia Youth Soccer Association.  He served as the VYSA Girls State Cup Chair from 1985 - 1986 and on the VYSA Board of Directors as Girls North Travel Commissioner from 1988-1990.  In late March or early April of 1989 VYSA took on the challenge to host the 1989 US Youth Soccer National Championships about 4 months before the Opening Ceremonies.  Simon eagerly took on the job of being Host Chair. Simon also served as the Adjudication Committee Chair for VYSA. He not only accepted the very difficult position, but did a professional and outstanding job adjudicating any complaints sent his way.  Simon also served as a representative to the State Referee Committee as the first representative when it began in 1992 per direction of the United States Soccer Federation. Simon’s dedication, expertise, passion, and hard work for both WAGS and VYSA made him a very valuable asset to both organizations.  He was indeed an outstanding builder for the Virginia Youth Soccer Association. Simon was awarded VYSA Volunteer of the Year in 1991.
 

Pat Delaney (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2021

Pat Delaney began his passion for soccer when he was 5 years old. Pat’s dad was in the US Air Force.  The family was stationed in Madrid, Spain and lived across the street from Real Madrid’s stadium (Estadio Santiago Bernabeu).  Pat’s dad would take him to the rooftop of their apartment building where they would be able to watch Real Madrid play.  More than 50 years later, Pat has been involved with soccer in some fashion as a player, referee, instructor, assessor and administrator.  When Pat’s family moved to the United States and the DC Metro Areas, he began his playing career.  Pat played for Annandale Boys and Girls Club, Braddock Road Youth Club and Little River Soccer Club.  Pat played on the Virginia U-16 State team.  He also played for Bishop Ireton High School.  After graduating from Bishop Ireton, Pat attended the US Military Academy at West Point, NY where he led his company team to the Corps Championship his Plebe (Freshman) year.  After graduating from West Point, Pat’s first duty station in the Army was in Germany.  Pat played on a semi-professional soccer team, and played on, and Captained, the Nurnberg Military Community Soccer Team that won the United States Army-Europe (USAEUR) Championship 2 of the 3 years he was on the team.  Upon being stationed back in the United States, Pat continued to play or coach recreationally in North Carolina or back in Virginia when the Army sent him to graduate school.  At the University of Virginia, Pat played on the team that won the UVA Intramural Championship.  While at graduate school, Pat began his refereeing career.  Following graduate school, Pat was assigned as an Assistant Professor of Systems Engineering at West Point.  Pat became an Officer Representative for the Army Men’s Soccer Team.  He traveled with and mentored many of the soccer players.  Pat also began to rise in the ranks of refereeing in Eastern New York.  He was selected as the Senior Assistant Referee for the U-17 USA vs Mexico Boys Soccer Match at the US Soccer Hall of Fame stadium in Oneonta, NY.  By the time Pat returned home to Virginia and was stationed at the Pentagon, he was a National Candidate Referee.  The Metro-DC and Virginia State Referee Program selected Pat to attend US Soccer’s National Referee Camp in 2000, where he earned his National Referee badge and joined the less than 1% of US Soccer Referees who achieve this grade.  Highlights of Pat’s National Referee career include being selected as one of twelve referees to officiate the annual US Amateur Soccer Association National Championships.  In this competition, he was selected to referee the Women’s U-21 National Championship Game and Assistant Referee for the Men’s Final.  Pat also officiated several college and other professional level matches; highlighted by his selection as the Senior Assistant Referee for a “tune-up” match between the US Men’s National Team and DC United in preparation for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.  While refereeing, Pat became an Instructor and State Assessor.  In 2006, Pat became only the 3rd Chairman of the Metro DC and Virginia State Referee Program, and in 2007 had dual hats as the State Referee Administrator (SRA) until fellow referee and FIFA AR, George Vergara became the SRA in 2010.  Pat’s achievements and commitment to soccer in Virginia over the past decades illustrate his meritorious service that supports his induction into the Virginia Soccer Hall of Fame.
 

Paul Ellis (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2021

Paul Ellis is currently the Technical Director at SYA Soccer, in Centreville VA. Prior to taking this position, he has spent the last 42 years working at all levels of the youth game. He coached at both Lake Braddock and TC Williams High Schools, before joining George Mason Women’s program for 8 years helping them to an NCCA D1 College Cup Final and 2 Final 4 appearances. Paul worked with the Region 1 Girls ODP program as Head Coach for the u17 age group, taking those teams to China and Europe, later becoming the assistant coach with the u15 and u17 Girls National Teams. Paul was the lead Scout for the USWNT at the 2004 Athens Olympics, in which the team won the Gold Medal. With his many club teams, he was won 4 state cup titles and one Region 1 Championship and was named VYSA Girls Competitive Coach of the year in 2019. Currently he is a member of the VYSA coaching Education Staff holding a US Soccer A License and USC Premier Diploma.
 

 

Karen Kelser (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2021

Karen Kelser is currently the Grassroots Director at FCV Ashburn under the umbrella of The St James.  She has been the Director of Coaching Education and a head coach at Arlington Soccer.  She worked 17 years at DC Stoddert, where she earned Coach of the Year.  She worked there in Coaching Education, as an Age Group Director, coaching and developing players.  She instructed the first all-women’s coaching license for the state.  Many players spent their formative years in that program and later advanced to NCAA DI and DIII, and moved on to national pools and teams.  She earned the US Soccer Grassroots Coaching Instructor License.  She has a BS in Exercise Science, and holds a current US Soccer National A Level Coaching License and National Youth License, KNVB Dutch Youth Coaching Diploma, and the NSCAA Advanced National Coaching License. She has been a Virginia State Coaching Education Instructor for VYSA since 1997.  She has been a Director for the girls’ North District Development-ODP program. She has also worked with West Central District D-ODP and ODP, and North District and State ODP programs.  She was also a Regional Director for Coerver Coaching of Virginia.  She played NCAA DI soccer at GWU, has head coached collegiately at Marymount University.

 

 

Bonnie Ahearn (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2020

Bonnie was a part of the Virginia soccer community for over three decades.  Beginning in 1980 as a soccer mom and VYS travel coach; she went on to become one of the premier referee assignors on the East Coast. 

Bonnie’s assigning included league games in WAGS, NCSL, and VHSL.  Bonnie assigned almost every tournament in Northern Virginia, including the WAGS Tournament, the NCSL Capital Cup, the Springfield Virginian Tournament, and the Cherry Blossom Festival Soccer Tournament, to name a few.  She also assigned the Virginia State Cup and ODP games in Virginia.  At the Region I level, Bonnie served on the Region I Referee Committee and, in that capacity, helped assign games for the Region I Youth Championships and Region I ODP Tournaments. 

Bonnie always took pride in developing young referees and her promotion of young referees paid off with many of her nominees earning State and Regional recognition.  Three of her nominees went on to win USYSA Young Referee of the Year.  These referees were Annalisa Pawlosky (2001), Alexandra Hallas Button (2005), and Cassandra Ferrari (2007).  Bonnie enjoyed her role in promoting these and many other referees in Virginia to reach the highest levels possible. 

Larry Best (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2020

Larry began his coaching career in 1982 under the mentorship of Virginia-DC Soccer Hall of Fame Member Dick White.  This started Larry on a path to a successful career with highlights of winning National Championships in 1986, 1996 and in 2012 with the latter being with BRYC Elite Academy.  Successful campaigns as National Semi Finalists in 1987 & 2014 along with being US Youth Soccer National League Champions in 2013 & 2014.   In addition, Larry won National Indoor Championships in 2010, 2011, & 2012. Larry was the National Promotions Manager for Lanzera USA which sponsored and supported the University of Virginia as NCAA National Champions in 1991, 1992, 1993, & 1994. In 2012 Larry was named the VYSA Girls Competitive Coach of the Year, US Youth Soccer Region I Girls Competitive Coach of the Year, and US Youth Soccer National Girls Competitive Coach of the Year. Larry most recently served as the Girl’s Technical Director for BRYC Elite Academy and left that position at the end of 2018 to take on the role of Chief Executive Officer for the Washington Spirit of the National Women’s Soccer League. During almost 38 years of service to the game, it’s with great pleasure to recognize many people who have been a huge part of Larry’s success.  The Baldwin Family, The White Family, The Milone Family, The Dolansky Family, The Riehl Family, The Madsen Family, The Harkes Family, The Sharon Family, The Burke Family, The Mishalow Family, with Special Thanks to Steve Baldwin, Bruce Arena, Richie Burke, Shannon Cirovski, Anson Dorrance, Wendy Gebauer, April Heinrichs, Bill Lynch, Joe Morrone, and every Coach, Teacher, Teammate, Player and everybody that has helped Larry on his journey to the incredible honor of being inducted in the Virginia-DC Soccer Hall of Fame.

John Daly (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2020

John Daly is an English American retired Collegiate Soccer Coach born in London, England to Irish Parents. He began his coaching career in London.  With Certification from the FA, he coached and played for St. Thomas Youth Cub in Fulham.  He later moved to the United States where he worked at soccer camps across the country run by the US Military Academy.  John came to William & Mary in 1979 and initially worked as an assistant coach for the Women’s team, which was a club team until 1981. He was also an assistant coach for the men’s team under Al Albert.  In 1986, John became a full-time assistant coach for the women’s team under John Charles, before succeeding Charles in 1987. W&M has had a winning season every year of his tenure, making William & Mary and the only program to have a winning season in all 36 years of NCAA Women’s Soccer, along with North Carolina the most successful school in the sport. As Head Women’s Soccer Coach, John Daly made the William & Mary Program into the most successful in the Colonial Athletic Association with a total record ending 2017 of 413 wins, 176 losses and 57 draws (.683) overall and a mark of 156 wins, 45 ties and 18 draws (.753) in the Colonial Athletic Association.  John Daly is the winning-est coach in W&M history, and the ninth coach in the history of Division I Women’s Soccer to achieve 400 wins; only Anson Dorrance (UNC), Len Tsantiris (Connecticut), and Jerry Smith (Santa Clara) have done the same at one school. Fifteen of his players won a total of 32 All American honors, while two, Megan McCarthy and Natalie Neaton won NCAA Player of the Year Honors.  Many players including Jill Ellis, Coach of the US Women’s National Team, went onto successful coaching careers in their own right.  Throughout his tenure as the W&M Women’s Soccer Coach, he has received countless Collegiate Personal Awards and Honors.  Among his peers, John Daly by all, means, ranks as one of the Top 20 Coaches in NCAA History.

Julie Kennedy (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2020

Julie started her career as an entrepreneur, founding and leading DC SCORES and AMERICA SCORES, a US-based educational non-profit organization that inspires urban youth to lead healthy lives, be engaged students, and have the confidence and character to make a difference in the world. Her work at AMERICA SCORES earned her a number of local and national awards, including Washingtonian of the Year, in Washington, DC, a Daily Points of Light award from President Clinton, and a finalist mention for the Presidential National Service Award. Today, Julie is the Chief Operating Officer of Trusty.care, a healthcare and insurance technology company focused on simplifying the most vexing healthcare and insurance decisions. Trusty.care creates precision benefits tools which delivers a benefits picture unique to each person. The Company’s first go-to-market products focus on Medicare, and older Americans aging into the Medicare system for the first time. Prior to Trusty.care, Julie was founder and CEO of a New York-based strategy and finance advisory firm that worked with high-potential entrepreneurs in frontier markets.  Previous positions include: Program Director for Pioneers of Prosperity, Central America and the Caribbean, at the OTF Group, overseeing a program that provided financing and technical support to small and medium-sized enterprises across the region; Director of Monitoring and Evaluation for the Millennium Promise Alliance - one of the executing arms of the Millennium Villages Project; and, Director of the Girls’ Education Initiative at Magna International. Julie also held research positions at Harvard and Columbia Universities. Julie holds a BA in comparative governments from Georgetown University, an MPA from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and a Certificate in Program Design, Evaluation and Monitoring of International Projects from the University of Bologna. A native of Canada, Julie speaks French and Spanish.

Bob Maynes (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2020

Bob Maynes has been dedicated to the development of recreational players and training of their coaches. He started with McLean Youth Soccer in 1985 and in 1987 began 22 years of service as the volunteer DOC. He also started their ref training program and severed as a ref for 22 years and ref instructor for 25.

One of his most satisfying achievements was, with the guidance of Tom Fleck and Ron Quinn, developing the Continuous Play model for small sided games for U8 and younger. He did sessions throughout the state to spread small sided games in the 90’s. This model is found throughout Virginia and now in many other states.

Bob has been on the VYSA Board since 1999. He was the first VYSA Director of Club Development, a Rec Rep to the VYSA Board and Rec Chairman. He has been VP and finance chair of VYSA since 2010. Bob was instrumental in the development of the Virginia Soccer Training Center, visiting over a dozen facilities and overseeing the creation of its business plan and supervising its construction.

Bob Maynes not only brought his recreational soccer knowledge to the board, but also his political experience as a US Senate press secretary. Whatever VYSA needed Bob was there. He traveled the state to gather knowledge and expertise. No task was ever beneath him. He was proud to be the garbage man in year one of regionals at the complex and in year two he worked parking all day. President Denise Edwards said, “I would not know how I could have done the job without him.”

Judie Churchill (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2019

Judie Churchill got her start in soccer with the Braddock Road Youth Club (BRYC) and the Washington Area Girls Soccer League (WAGS) in the 1980’s. Judie’s three daughters played travel soccer with BRYC and WAGS. Judie also was an active volunteer for the WAGS Rael Vodicka Memorial Tournament.  She, along with Charlotte Moran, served as the hostess and greeters for all the College Coaches that came to the tournament. They made sure the College Coaches had profiles and schedules for all players and games and answered any questions the college coaches and/or club coaches put forth. Judie was indeed a valuable asset to the WAGS Rael Vodicka Memorial Tournament –Judie along with Margaret (Mike) Gardner were VYSA Girls ODP Co-Chairs and Judie served from 1991 through 2002.

 Judie Churchill was a dedicated administrator to the VYSA Girls ODP Program. She put her heart and soul into the program and her passionate contribution to managing a well-run Girls Program greatly contributed to the success of the VYSA Girls ODP. Judie also served as a member of the VYSA Board holding the position of Recreational North Commissioner from 1994 to 2002. Judie served on the Region I Girls ODP Committee and for the seasonal years 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 Judie held the position of the US Youth Soccer Girls ODP National Chair.  Judie was the East Women’s Soccer Team Administrator for the Regional Olympics in the US. She and Mike also served as team administrators for the U15/16 DC/VA Girls ODP team that traveled to Bergen and Norway. As Girls ODP National Chair, Judie was the representative of the US Delegation for the US U19 Women’s World Cup CONCACAF games in Trinidad and Tobago. Judie and her family moved to Montgomery, Alabama in 2002. She now resides in Florida.

George Vergara (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2019

George Vergara played soccer in a number of Virginia youth teams and then at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) from 1978 to 1980 before becoming a referee.  In 1980 he became a referee and has been actively refereeing for almost 40 years. He went from a Grade 8 in 1980 to a Grade 4 in 1996 to ultimately becoming a Grade 2 FIFA Assistant Referee in 1999.  

George Vergara is the only US Soccer referee from Virginia to become a member of the US Soccer FIFA panel of referees and assistant referees. He has officiated Youth, Regional and National, Region I Adult Finals, Major League Soccer, MLS All Star and MLS Cup Finals. He also officiated in COPA CARIBE, Central American Club Championships, World Cup Qualifiers and numerous International matches in many countries. Professional Club Matches include Manchester United, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Barcelona, Roma, Liverpool, Fiorentina, Juventus, Palientankos, Ajax, Feyenoord, and others. George has also served as a National Referee Instructor (2005), National Referee Assessor (2005-2015) and National Referee Coach (2015 to present). In these capacities, George has mentored and developed hundreds of referees sharing his passion and expertise in officiating the beautiful game of soccer. George also holds a USSF “A” Coaching license and lead the Richmond Strikers to the U11 State Cup Championship in 1983 and FC Richmond U12 State Cup Championship in 2014 to 2016. George has served as the State Referee Administrator for the Metro DC Virginia State Referee Program (MDCVASRP) which is responsible for the certification and training of all US Soccer Referees in DC and VA. MDCVASRP has produced several regional and national young referees of the year both male and female.  

George is also a founding member of the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) that established a union for collective bargaining with MLS and US Soccer to enhance the training, well-being, and treatment of professional referees. He served as President of the PSRA from 2008-2018.

Jim Sadowski (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2018

Jim Sadowski has been involved in many capacities in Soccer in the Virginia/DC area.  He played at George Washington University as a walk on from 1985-1987, and was captain the Arlington Tigers and GWU Colonials competitive men’s teams 1986-1999.  Jim played and served as manager for the Mall Rats Coed team from 1994-2009. The Mall Rats dominated coed soccer in the area for more than 10 years winning the league title more than 10 times as well as multiple tournament titles. Jim’s Mall Rats Team also won the USASA open and U30 Coed Cups in 1999, 2003, 2009. Jim also played with the Richmond Lions Masters U40 team at the Neptune Soccer Classic.  Jim has served the Metropolitan DC-Virginia Soccer Association for many years.  He was Vice President from 2001-2002 and has served as President since 2002.  Jim has also served at the Adult representative of the State Referee Committee since 2002.  Jim founded and ran the Capital Coed Soccer League from 1994-2002, the first USSF affiliated coed league in the District. Jim has also refereed at every level of youth and adult soccer since first becoming a Grade 8 referee in 1986. He was a national referee from 2009-2014 and a volunteer referee for eight Veteran’s Cups. Jim also served on the USASA Coed Cup Committee from 1999-2006 as the Region 1 representative, then as Chair from 2007-2009. Jim was a DC United season ticket holder from its inaugural year in 1996 to 2013. Jim was also the referee liaison for the Women’s World Cup in 2003, the USMNT vs. Panama World Cup Qualifier at RFK, and for several games for D.C. United. Jim was a member of the US Soccer Foundation Grants Committee from 2008- 09. He has also attended six straight World Cups to support the USMNT and he attended all but one of the USWNT matches at the 2003 Women’s World Cup.

Danny Beamer (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2018

Danny began coaching in the early 80’s as a teenager in Greensboro, NC. He coached 6 NCYSA State Champion teams with one of his teams advancing to the finals of the Southern Regionals losing to North Texas. He moved to the Roanoke area in 1986, where he helped start Roanoke Valley Youth Soccer Club and turn it into a Roanoke Star. He is now in his 32nd year in charge of that club. Danny has been active locally with a number of local Boards of Directors, as well as providing opportunities to play for underprivileged youth in Roanoke. Throughout his time in Roanoke, he has helped over 700 players achieve their dreams of playing soccer at the next level collegiately.  Danny has helped bring professional soccer to the Roanoke Valley, through amateur and exhibition games. Locally, Danny has impacted the economic growth through hosting tournaments since the late 80's. Danny was one of the pioneers in helping form VCCL in the 90’s, which has now turned into the CCL (Club Champions League) where he currently serves as the President. For 22 years, Danny has taken players to Europe to compete in the Gothia Cup. In 2015, he was recognized by the Gothia Cup for his consistency and loyalty, and welcomed into their Hall of Fame. He continues to take coaching education trips to help further his knowledge of the game, and build relationships with other clubs domestically and internationally. In 2016, Danny started a tutor/ESL program in partnership with the Blue Ridge Literacy Program and Junior Women’s League, to help local soccer players thrive academically in order to participate in Roanoke Star. Danny served on the VYSA BOD for a number of years and served as VYSA ODP Director for many years. He recently helped open a brand new soccer facility (Countryside Sportsplex) with 6 grass fields in the heart of Roanoke.

Kevin Denson (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2017

281400_0207L.jpgFor the last 36 years Kevin has coached at the club, league, state, college, and regional levels and has had a major and sustained positive impact on the development of soccer in Virginia. He was one of the founders of Beach FC Travel Soccer where he coached very successful teams. Kevin served on the VYSA Board of Directors as Boys South Travel Commissioner from 1990-1992 then as Southeast Rec Commissioner in 1993. He served as a VYSA Boys and Girls State Team Coach for six years, and a Region I Girls ODP coach for 11 years. Kevin was named Virginia High School League Soccer Coach of the Year in 1987 and 1997 and NSCAA National HS Coach of the Year in 1997. He was awarded VYSA Coach of the Year in 1989. He entered the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame in 2009. Kevin is a US Soccer “A” licensed coach and holds an NSCAA Premier Diploma. He continues to coach Boys’ Varsity Soccer at First Colonial High School, is the Assistant Coach for Boys Varsity at Norfolk Academy and Assistant Coach with Beach FC Fury U-12 Advanced team. Kevin also serves as the NSCAA Boys Youth Advocacy Chair.

 

Ed Foster-Simeon (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2017

Ed has more than 25 years of experience at the local, state, and national levels of the game. He served as Vice President of the Virginia Youth Soccer Association and President of Prince William Soccer, Inc. – a 3,000 player recreational and travel club in Northern VA. During his tenure at PWSI, he initiated and led the “Let There Be Lights” campaign that resulted in Prince William County’s first lighted soccer fields. Ed also conducted an analysis of county user fees, which resulted in the county making significant investments in high-quality soccer fields at Tyrell, Chinn and Howison parks. In 2011, Foster-Simeon was awarded Community Leadership Award from the President’s Council on fitness, Sports and Nutrition (PCFSN) based in large part on his work at the grassroots level of the game. Ed has been an active member of the U.S Soccer Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2004 and a champion of soccer as a vehicle for youth development and social change. He was named President and CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation in May, 2008. Under his leadership the US Soccer Foundation has become a nationally recognized leader in sport-based youth development, placing a special emphasis on programs that improve health and social outcomes among children in underserved communities. The US Soccer Foundation’s work was recognized with the 2010 Steve Patterson Award for Excellence in Sports Philanthropy and has earned the prestigious Social Innovation Fund award in the Healthy Futures portfolio and a Justice Department Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Multi State Mentoring Award. During Foster-Simeon’s tenure, the US Soccer Foundation’s annual Urban Soccer Symposium has developed into the nation’s premier event where coaches, mentors and administrators learn and exchange best practices in the use of soccer as a vehicle for youth development.

Prior to becoming CEO of the US Soccer Foundation, Foster-Simeon served as Deputy Managing Editor at USA TODAY. He is an Executive Committee member on the Board of Directors of both the Campaign to End Obesity and the NAACP Foundation. Ed is a former member of the Board of US Soccer Hall of Fame and served on the USA Bid Committee for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. A US Navy Veteran, Foster Simeon holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland. Ed is a native of Brooklyn, NY.


Margaret (Mike) Gardner (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2017

Mike Gardner.jpg

 

Margaret Gardner, known as “Mike” to everyone, started in soccer as a recreation coach with the Springfield Youth Club and later in 1979 became a WAGS Coach still coaching for the SYC. She served as the WAGS-Virginia Head Registrar from 1980-1992. She was the WAGS Tournament Co-Chair in the early years of the tournament and continued to volunteer at the WAGS Tournament for many more years. Mike served on the VYSA Board of Directors as the VYSA State Registrar from 1986 to 1991 dedicating many countless hours serving the VYSA Membership. In addition she served as the Girls ODP Co-Chair from 1991-1996. Mike’s passionate dedication, hard work and her love for the game of soccer greatly contributed to the success of all the programs in which she was involved.

 

 

 Larry Green (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2017

 

Sylvester Larimore Green, know to everyone as Larry Green, started his soccer service as a team manager with the Annandale Boys and Girls Club for his daughter Melanie's team, the 1969 Rebels. The team later moved to VISTA where he remained manager. He served as VYSA Treasurer from 1985-1990, devoting about 50 hours per month ensuring that no monies were wasted. Larry also served as the VYSA Insurance Committee Chair from 1988-1993, and was the VYSA Nominating Chair for the 1991 AGM. After leaving his position as VYSA Treasurer, he continued to serve VYSA as Treasurer of the 1991 US Youth Soccer National Challenge Cup Host Committee. In addition, Larry served as member of the US Youth Soccer National Budget Committee from 1989-2002 as a Region I representative.

 

 

Dave Kasper (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2017

Dave has a vast array of soccer experience as a player, coach, and front office executive. He was a standout forward for Men’s Soccer at the University of Maryland earning All-ACC honors while also playing as a member of the U20 US Soccer Men’s National team. Dave played professionally for the Milwaukee Wave (1989-1990) and the Pittsburgh Stingers (1990-1994) then transitioned into Duquesne University’s first-ever Men’s Soccer coach in 1994. Dave was later hired as the first Vice President and General Manager of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, leading them to the playoffs and to Organization of the Year honors the following year. He joined DC United in 2002 as Technical Director and was named the club’s General Manager in 2007 and in 2014 was named Vice President of Soccer Operations in addition to his role as General Manager. During Kasper’s 15-year tenure, DC United has won five major trophies: the 2004 MLS Cup, the 2006 and 2007 MLS Supporters’ Shields, and two Lamar Hunt US Open Cups (2008 and 2013). Kasper has guided United to nine playoff appearances, including three as the first-place team in the Eastern Conference. Dave works closely with the coaching staff in identifying and signing talent, developing draft strategy, and overseeing the direction of the club’s youth development, including the D.C. United Academy and camp program.

 

Arlene Jacobs (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2016

 

Arlene coached many successful McLean WAGS teams in the 1970’s and 1980’s. She was a pioneer in the early days of Title IX and was instrumental in helping to establish girls’ soccer as a high school varsity sport in Fairfax County. She was the head coach for 20 years at Langley High School, where her teams won seven District titles. Arlene was a positive role model and a mentor for hundreds of young players, many of whom went on to play at the collegiate level; four have had very successful careers and have been inducted into the Virginia-DC Soccer Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

 

Earl McEachron (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2016

 

Earl is a US Soccer “A” licensed coach, was an instructor with the Virginia Metro-DC Coaching Education Program, and a State and Region I ODP staff coach. He played on his college and the Jamaican U19 National teams and was a player and coach with United States Marine Corps teams. He coached boys’ and girls’ Virginia Division I teams which were State Cup Champions and Finalists, and developed many successful collegiate, national and professional players. In 1993 Earl was selected as the VYSA Boys’ Coach of the Year, US Youth Soccer Region I Boys’ Coach of the Year, and US Youth Soccer Boys’ Coach of the Year.

 

 

 

Scott Meyer (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2016

 

Scott was a USSF Referee from 1990 – 2008. He was the State Referee Administrator for 10 years, during which time he opened the State Referee Office and hired a Referee Program Administrator. He introduced the Center Circle, a referee website, and an on-line registration system. Under his leadership the number of USSF certified referees increased from 2,500 to 7,000. Scott wrote many articles that were published in Referee magazine. He was recognized by US Soccer for his accomplishments during his tenure and was awarded the Keith Bunting Memorial Award for Lifetime of Service in 2009.

 

 

 

Tony Quinn (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2016

 

Tony, a native of England who has lived in the DC area for decades, began shooting photographs of the Washington Diplomats in the 1970’s. He is one of the most accomplished soccer photographers in America, having captured wonderful images of the sport at every level, including three Men’s World Cups, three Women’s World Cups, three Olympics, several College Cups, CONCACAF Gold Cups, and World Cup qualifiers in the Caribbean and Central America. Tony’s clients include DC United, FIFA, and Soccer America.

 

 

 

Carolyn Rice (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2016

 

Carolyn holds the US Soccer “A” license and the NSCAA National Diploma. She coached several VA-DC Hall of Fame players, including Jill Ellis. She was the girls’ head coach at Lake Braddock High School for nine years, winning several District, Regional, and State Championships. She also coached the Braddock Road Cyclones, who were 1988 Region I Champions and National Runners-Up. That year she was selected as one of the Washington Post’s All-Metropolitan Coaches of the Year. Carolyn was one of the first females on the VYSA Coaching Education Staff and was a Region I ODP Staff coach for many years.

 

 

 

Robert Perry (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2015

 

Bob’s soccer career began in 1982 when he coached a youth team; the following year he began a 13-year span as President of Winchester Soccer Club. He was also an NCSL representative, secretary, and vice president. Bob began refereeing in 1978 and is currently the State Referee Emeritus. He became an Assessor in 1983 and is now a National Assessor Emeritus, and became an Instructor in 1982 and is currently a State Instructor. He has been active in referee programs in Regions I, III, and IV. Bob was a USSF National Assessor for 19 years and served as the National Director of Assessment for the US Soccer Federation from 1994-1995. He was the Referee liaison for both the 1994 World Cup and the 1996 Olympics.

 

 

 

Clyde Watson (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2015

 

Clyde played in college and professionally for many years before transitioning to coaching. He served as Assistant Coach of the Washington Warthogs, Coach at the University of the District of Columbia, and Assistant Coach of the WPS’s Washington Freedom. He led his teams to 13 US Youth Soccer Virginia State Cups, three US Youth Soccer Region I Championships, one US Youth Soccer National Finalist title, and one US Youth Soccer National Championship title. Clyde was named NSCAA 2007 Youth Girls National Coach of the Year, Virginia Youth Soccer 2011 Girls Competitive Coach of the Year, and US Youth Soccer 2011 Region I Girls Competitive Coach of the Year. He holds a USSF “B” License and a National Youth License. 
  

 

 

Julie Caramanica (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2014

 

Julie's career in soccer began when her oldest started playing. She was a team mom and a team manager, then became an NCSL registrar in 1985 and head NCSL registrar a few years later. She was hired as VYSA Administrator in 1992 and opened the first State Office, where she has overseen the growth of VYSA from fewer than 50,000 players to 145,000. For many years Julie was also the administrator of the ODP and Coaching Education Program. She has served as VYSA Workshop/Convention Administrator for more than 20 years, and as the VA-DC Soccer Hall of Fame Administrator since its inception. Julie has also done much as a volunteer, including working at the 1994 World Cup, at the Men's and Women's National Team games hosted at RFK, and helping the Federation staff in managing its AGMs.

 


Denise Edwards (Meritorious Service) - Inducted in 2014

 

Denise has devoted more than twenty years to serving the soccer community at the local, state, regional, and national levels. She coached and has served as SEVYSA Administrator; area commissioner, parliamentarian, and president of Norfolk Youth Soccer League; Executive Director of Virginia Rush (formerly Virginia Beach Soccer Club); administrator of the Virginia Soccer League, Inc., and VYSA Vice President and laterVYSA President. On the regional and national levels Denise is a respected and sought-out state president. Her knowledge of the soccer business, construction business, and local government political processes, along with her perseverance, has allowed VYSA to break ground on the VYSA soccer complex. Denise's skills in organization, financial management, and leadership have been invaluable to youth soccer in Virginia and the District of Columbia.

 

 

Dan Heldman (Meritorious Service) - Inducted in 2014

 

Dan has been involved with soccer since 1982, first as a volunteer coach for his children's teams and continuing on to work over 2,100 matches as a referee until his retirement in 2011. He became an instructor in 1986, and in 1999 was selected by USSF as Virginia's first (and so far only) National Referee Instructor. He has been a member of USSF's National Instructional Program Staff since 1996. Dan's work with USSF has focused on the development of referee training materials, including Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game, The Laws of the Game Made Easy and Offside Made Easy. He has written more than two dozen articles as a contributing editor to Referee Magazine. Dan was Metro DC-Virginia's Assessor of the Year in 1993 and 2009, and Instructor of the Year in 2000 and 2014.

 

 

Robert L. Kuhnle (Meritorious Service) - Inducted in 2014

 

Bob played and coached youth soccer, became a USSF certified referee in 1979, a USSF National Referee in 1992, a State Assessor in 1993, and a State Instructor in 1986. He served as State Referee Administrator, State Director of Referee Instruction, and Local Area coordinator for Professional Referee Assignments for many years. While a National referee, he officiated very high level matches in Virginia and the District of Columbia. As the SRA, Bob maintained the database, processed all referee applications, and handled all the finances of the referee program. As a result of his leadership and mentoring of younger referees, Virginia had its first referee on the FIFA panel and ten new National referees in the two years immediately following his tenure as SRA.

 

 

Jim Ferguson (Meritorious Service) – Inducted 2013

 

Jim Ferguson began his involvement in soccer more than 25 years ago when he was drafted as a substitute coach for his son’s rec team. He has been a team manager and a club rep to NCSL and the league’s Virginia Commissioner. Jim served on the VYSA Board of Directors, first as Boys North Travel Commissioner, and then as President from 1995-2000. He is past chairman of the US Youth Soccer Rules Committee and has been a member of the USSF Rules Committee. Jim co-founded the Washington Soccer Club in 1990 and is currently its president.

 

 

 

Steven Goff (Meritorious Service) – Inducted 2013

 

Steven Goff began writing about soccer for The Washington Post in the late 1980s and has covered DC United since the club’s beginning in 1996. He covered the first 17 MLS Cups and every World Cup since 1994 plus several Women's World Cups. His US Men's National Team coverage has included more than 100 matches, including dozens of World Cup Qualifiers. Steven’s career began with collegiate soccer, and he continues to follow local teams to the NCAA College Cup. Since 2007 he has written the “Soccer Insider” blog on the Washington Post website.

 

 

 

Anne Thompson (Meritorious Service) – Inducted 2013


Anne Thompson began her soccer career as a coach in the late 1970’s. Following many years of successful coaching she was in charge of the Opening Ceremonies at the 1990 US Youth Soccer National Championships in Virginia and was the co-commissioner of the Friendship League from 1991-1994. Anne has served on the VYSA Board of Directors, first as North Recreational Commissioner and then as North Travel Commissioner, for almost 20 years, and has been a member of the VYSA Workshop and Budget Committees. Anne has been the State Cup Director since 1992 and the Presidents Cup Director since its beginning in 2009.

 

     

 

Robert Childs (Meritorious Service) – Inducted 2012

 

During and after a successful career as an Air Force officer, Bob spent 30 years as a volunteer soccer coach. He coached three travel teams, helping to develop some of the top players at Division One colleges. He focused on individual and team development, but also instilled in his player’s lessons that could be used throughout their lives – showing the best of sportsmanship and giving back to the sport and to society. Bob’s teams won 15 Virginia State Championships and were finalists 11 additional times. He pioneered U-20 and U-23 team competition for WAGS and championed starting U-17 competition. Bob was selected as VYSA’s Girls Competitive Coach of the Year in 1987, 1991, and 2008. He was also chosen as Region I US Youth Soccer Coach of the Year in 1991.

 

 

Roy Gordon (Meritorious Service) – Inducted 2012

 

Roy Gordon was recently inducted into the University of Mary Washington Athletic Hall of Fame. He was the founder of the soccer program at Mary Washington, where he coached for 34 years. He had one of the best records in NCAA soccer history, winning 432 games and becoming only the eighth coach in NCAA Division III to reach the 400-win plateau. Roy led his teams to nine appearances in the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament and was a six-time NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year, as well as a seven-time CAC Coach of the Year who led his team to eight CAC Championships. Roy became the 50th president of the NSCAA in 1998 and received the NSCAA Honor Award in 2009.

 

 

 

Jeff Skigen (Meritorious Service) – Inducted 2011

 

Jeff is a long-time, dedicated member of the soccer community who has served in many different capacities. He coached his son’s team from its inception through college. He was R&D Chairman of the National Capital Soccer League for a year and then was elected president, a position he held for twelve years. Jeff was a long-time member of the VYSA Board, first as Boys North Travel Commissioner and later as Treasurer. He also served as Soccer Start Chair for US Youth Soccer. In addition, he was a certified referee for over 24 years. Jeff’s knowledge and experience greatly strengthened soccer in northern Virginia. He is now involved as a proud grandparent, watching his granddaughters play.

 
 

 

 

Keith Tabatznik (Meritorious Service) – Inducted 2011

Keith was a three-year letter winner at American University. He was a repeating all-star in the Capitol Soccer League, and also served as the League’s president for several years. Keith was Georgetown University’s head coach for 22 years, where he finished with 220 wins, making him Georgetown’s all-time winningest coach. Keith was twice named Big East Coach of the Year, and in 1997 was named the USASA National Coach of the Year as he coached the Sports Festival East team to a gold medal. He served three years as US National Amateur Team (US “B” Team) Head Coach. He was the Assistant National Coach for Bermuda for the 2010 World Cup Qualifying. He is served 7 years as the Region 1 ODP Head Coach, works as a TV analyst and is a National Instructor with US Soccer Coaching Education.  Keith is also co-director of the Elite 300 Soccer Academy, a scout for US Soccer and currently the Director of Soccer for McLean Youth Soccer Club.

 
 
 

Dave Johnson (Meritorious Service) – Inducted 2010

 

Dave grew up watching the NASL’s Washington Diplomats, hoping to one day become a sports broadcaster. In 1996 he became the television play-by-play voice of DC United. He has done play-by-play for outdoor and indoor soccer on the Fox Soccer Channel and ESPN, including five NCAA Championship games. He also broadcast World Cup 2006 in Germany on XM Satellite Radio. He served as host of a weekly television show for four years on Home Team Sports (now Comcast SportsNet). Dave is also the Sports Director and morning sports anchor on WTOP radio, where he has been recognized three times as Best Radio Sportscaster in Washington. He has also been the radio play-by-play announcer of the NBA’s Washington Wizards for the past 12 years.

           
 
 

Karen Knott (Meritorious Service) – Inducted 2010


Karen first became involved with youth soccer when her two sons began travel soccer in 1985. She spent many years as team manager, Beach FC Soccer Club board member, and Director of the Virginia Beach Columbus Day Tournament. In 1991 she became one of the initial Board members of the Hampton Roads Soccer Council and was named the Executive Director of the Council in 1994. She helped raise $1.5 million over two years, and the 19-field Soccer Complex was opened in 1997. Karen was a member of the VYSA Board of Directors from 1991-1994 and the co-chair of the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships in 2005 and 2006. She has been the tournament director for State Cup and Border Cup games, as well as State ODP tryouts, held in Virginia Beach and Norfolk. Karen has been a VYSA Workshop volunteer for 21 years and was the winner of the Adele Dolansky Exemplary Service Award in 2007

 

 

Ken Krieger (Meritorious Service) – Inducted 2010


Ken’s accomplishments in soccer include four State Championships as coach of C. D. Hylton High School, two NSCAA Division I High School National Championships, and two US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. He has the most wins by a VHSL Boys Soccer Coach, with an overall record of 386-191-37. Ken served as head coach at Harford Community College from 1977-78, and as assistant coach at American University from 1984-87, where the team was a National Finalist in 1985, and at George Mason University from 1987-88. Ken has also worked with the DC United and Washington Freedom youth programs, where he led his teams to two Final Four appearances and to a National Championship. He has served on the VYSA ODP and US Youth Soccer Region I staffs. Ken has served as the Technical Director of Player & Coach Development at Prince William Soccer, Inc. and with McLean Youth Soccer.

 
 

Chip Rohr (Meritorious Service) – Inducted 2010
 
 
Chip first kicked a soccer ball while at the University of Richmond. He went on to play senior amateur soccer for 20 years. He started soccer programs at three high schools and was the varsity boys’ head coach for 35 years. His teams won numerous District and Regional championships and went to State finals. He was named Virginia Small School Coach of the Year four times, Regional Coach of the Year twice, and was nominated for National Coach of the Year three times. Chip was co-founder of two of the first soccer camps in northern Virginia, and continues today as director of the Chip Rohr Soccer Camp. His proudest achievement is being the longest-serving member of the VYSA Coaching Education Staff, with 29 years of service. He has taught hundreds of coaches who have continued on to the youth, high school, college, and professional levels.
 
 
 
 

M’Kean “Mac” Tredway (Meritorious Service) – Inducted 2010

 

Mac’s service to the game of soccer took the form of founding Soccer Camps, refereeing, and coaching education. In 1976 he founded the Manassas Soccer Camp at the Northern Virginia Community College Manassas campus, in 1978 he co-founded the Linton Hall Soccer Camp, which continues today as Chip Rohr’s Soccer Camp, and in 1983 he founded the Fauquier Soccer camp. Mac served as administrator at all three camps. He became certified as a referee in 1970 and worked in the NASL and ASL, as well as senior amateur matches. He was an active referee and instructor, and helped to develop the referee assessment program. He also hosted VYSA Coaching Education courses at NVCC Manassas for many years.

 
 
 

Alketas Panagoulias (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2009

 

Alkis was born in Greece and was an international soccer player with Aris F.C. Thessaloniki, Greece. In 1958 he was named “Most Valuable Player”. He became the head coach of the Hellenic Soccer Team of New York, and then head coach of the Greek American Soccer Team of New York, which was the USA Champion for three years. In 1983, after several years of coaching Greek teams, Alkis coached the NASL’s Team America, which was based in Washington, DC. The following year, he coached the United States team in the Olympics and, in 1995, at the World Cup qualifiers. He returned to Olympiakos, which won two more Greek Championships, and then to Aris, Thessaloniki. In 1992 Alkis was named head coach of the National Team of Greece, which participated in the 1994 World Cup. He currently is a FIFA Instructor on the Technical Committee.
 

 

Dave Williams (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2009

Dave had a successful soccer career as a player at West Virginia’s Bethany College. After moving to northern Virginia, he began his coaching career at Annandale High School, where he volunteered as coach for the boys and girls varsity and junior varsity teams. He accepted no money for his services, as he felt it was his duty to give back to the community. At the same time, he coached with the Annandale Boys and Girls Club and Bethany Soccer Camps, and was also a Region I Girls ODP Goalkeeping Coach. For the last five years of his life, he served as the VYSA TOPSoccer chair, setting up TOPSoccer programs and conducting clinics for children with special needs. His passion for making soccer “a game for all kids” greatly increased the number of players and buddies who participated in and benefitted from TOPSoccer. Accepting Dave’s award are his fiancée, Lynn McCoy, and his daughter, Casey Baker. 

 

Gary Allen (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2008

Gary Allen led his Randolph-Macon College team to the Virginia College Athletics Championship in 1972. While still in college he was named as an alternate to the US Olympic Team. After college he began his coaching career, coaching both Men’s and Women’s Division I College programs, high school teams, state and regional Olympic Development teams, and a Women’s State Team that won three National Championships. Gary became the youngest coach in Virginia to attain the US Soccer “A” License, was Virginia’s first ODP coach and one of the first two Coaching Education instructors in the state. In 1980 he was appointed as Co-Director of the Eastern US Regional Camp for the Olympic Sports Festival. In 1994 he became a member of the US National Coaching Staff. Over the years, Gary has coached 31 players who made All-American in college and 17 players who made the US National Teams. He has received national attention for his many articles concerning youth soccer development in the United States.

Kevin Payne (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2008

Kevin Payne was the National Administrator for the US Soccer Federation in 1989, then became the Deputy Executive Director and Director
of Marketing for the Federation. In 1991 he became Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Soccer, USA Partners, and, two years later, its president. Kevin helped to form a charter group of investors for the creation of Major League Soccer, and also put together the original investment group for DC United, serving as President and General Manager of the team until 2001. He then joined AEG as Senior Vice President and Managing Director, overseeing six MLS teams. He returned to DC United in 2004 as President and CEO. Kevin currently sits on the MLS Board of Governors, the US Soccer Federation’s Board of Directors, the US Soccer Foundation’s Board, and the DC United Board.

 

Lauren Gregg (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2007

Lauren was an All-American at the University of North Carolina and was the captain of the 1982 NCAA championship squad. She won a national title as assistant coach at UNC, and then joined the Harvard staff as an assistant coach. She was the women’s head coach at the University of Virginia from 1988through the 1995 seasons, earning a trip to the NCAA Final Four in 1991 and a total of seven consecutive NCAA tournament bids. She was named the NSCAA Coach of the Year in 1990, the only woman to receive that honor. Lauren became the first woman to serve as an assistant coach for the US Women’s National Team in 1989. Her teams won the 1991 FIFA Women’s World Championship in China, the 1995 Women’s World Cup in Sweden, and the 1996 gold medal at the Olympics. Lauren then became head coach of the U21 US Women’s National Team which won the Nordic Cup in 1997 and 1999, and earned a silver medal in 1998. She is the author of The Champion Within, Training For Excellence and is currently the US State Department’s USSF Sports Envoy to Nigeria.

 

 

Jay Hoffman (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2007

Jay played his college soccer at Pennsylvania’s East Stroudsburg University. Over the next several years, he was the head coach at three colleges and assistant coach for two NASL teams. He then coached with the MISL’s New Jersey Rockets, Buffalo Stallions, and Cleveland Force. Jay assisted in the writing of Project Gold and Project 2010, the Women’s and Men’s Player Development Programs, along with US Soccer’s state and national coaching license materials. He coached the U17 (assistant) and U20 (assistant and head) Men’s National Teams. Jay was the head coach of both the 1999 Women’s Pan Am Gold Medal team and the 1999 Women’s World Cup Championship teams, and went on to become head coach for the Boston Breakers of the WUSA. Jay is currently the head coach of both the USL Division 1 Virginia Beach Mariners and the US Paralympics National Team. He is also the Director of Academy Coaching at the Virginia Rush Soccer Club, and has recently been named the Region I Boys ODP Program Head Coach as well as the VYSA Boys Coach of the Year.

 

Rael Vodicka (Meritorious Service (deceased)) - Inducted 2007

Rael was born in Missouri, moved to northern Virginia in 1971, and quickly became involved with her children’s soccer activities as the Girls’ League Coordinator with the Annandale Boy’s Club. Rael realized the need for expansion that would allow the opportunity for girls to develop both their soccer skills and their friendships. She contacted seven area clubs that had girls’ soccer and began to organize the Washington Area Girls Soccer League. Rael was the first president of WAGSL. She stepped down after a successful first year to become the first vice president of the Metropolitan DC-Virginia Soccer Association. She served the following year as WAGSL president again. One of her dreams for the league was the hosting of an all-girls’ tournament, and the WAGS Tournament was begun in 1975. In addition to her achievements with WAGSL, Rael was an activist who worked to have girls’ soccer recognized as a high school varsity sport in Northern Virginia.

 

Jac Cicala (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2006

Jac is currently the boys’ varsity head soccer coach at Centreville High School as well as a U15 WAGS coach. Prior to taking those positions, he spent 13 years as the head women’s coach at George Mason University, where his teams made five NCAA tournament appearances and where he won College Division I Coach of the Year Honors in 1993. Jac was a Region I ODP girls’ head coach for 17 years and ODP boys’ staff coach for three years. The women’s U20 National Team was the winner of the first U20 European Championships while he was the assistant coach. His Olympic Sports Festival Women’s team won a silver medal in 1993. Jac was the boys’ varsity coach at Lake Braddock Secondary School for 10 years, where the team won four state championships and he earned National High School Coach of the Year Honors in 1983 and 1990. He was named the 1987 US Youth Soccer Boys Coach of the Year. Jac was also a VYSA charter Board member.


 
 
April Heinrichs (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2006
 

April was the head coach of the U.S. Women‘s National Team from 2000 – 2005, the first woman to hold that position. In 2003, she led the US to a third-place finish in the Women’s World Cup, and the next year to a gold medal victory at the 2004 Olympics in Greece. April played four years at the University of North Carolina where she was named First-Team All-American three times. She then played professionally with the Italian Club team Prato. In 1991 she captained the US to the Women’s World Cup title. She served as head coach at Princeton, the University of Maryland, and the University of Virginia. April also was head coach of the U16 National Team for four years. Her honors include being named US Soccer’s Chevrolet Female Athlete of the Year in both 1986 and 1989 and Soccer America’s Female Player of the 1980s. April was the first female player inducted into the US Soccer Hall of Fame, and, in 2000, was named as the inaugural recipient of the NSCAA Women’s Committee Award of Excellence. 

 

Peter Johnson (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2006

Peter was born in England and played local and semi-pro soccer in Leeds. He started coaching in 1960, then moved to the United States in 1968. Peter coached youth soccer teams in Maryland and northern Virginia from 1969 to 2002, and has coached high school soccer from 1970 to the present, for a total of 54 seasons. Peter’s club teams won more than 30 state championships, nine teams went to Regionals and, in 1984 and 1992, his teams won National Championships. His high school teams won four Metro Washington championships, five Virginia State Catholic Championships, and several tournament championships. Peter won National Youth Coach of the Year honors in 1984 and was inducted into the De Matha High School Hall of Fame in 2001. Peter was also the first National referee from Virginia, is past president of the Northern Virginia High School Soccer Coaches Association, and began the Soccer Start program in Washington, DC.


 Al Albert (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2005

Al was the head men’s soccer coach at the College of William and Mary for 33 years, after graduating from that college in 1969. Over the course of his coaching career, his teams have amassed 401 wins, made 12 NCAA appearances, and finished in the Final 8 in both 1980 and 1996. He is one of only eight Division 1 college coaches to have won 400 games. Al has owned and operated the Tidewater Soccer Camps for over 30 years. He helped to establish the Williamsburg Soccer Club in 1974, and is still a director. He is an officer in many local and national soccer organizations; he is past president of the National Soccer Coaches Association. He received the Bill Jeffrey Award from the NCSAA to honor his longtime contribution to college soccer. Al is currently the Associate Director of Athletic Development at the College of William and Mary. He is a past president of the NSCAA and has received the Bill Jeffrey Award and the Honor Award from the association. He presently chairs the NSCAA Foundation.

 

Dave Amsler (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2005

Dave’s soccer career began at the age of six. He went on to become a three-time All South Selection and four-time Most Valuable Player at  Campbell College, NC. In 1971 he organized a summer soccer league in Richmond, in 1976 he formed the Richmond Strikers, and in 1985 he founded the FC Richmond Magic. Dave was active for 20 years in both boys and girls ODP as a Region 1 staff coach and a Virginia State team coach. He also served as Director of the JCP State Coaching School for ten years. During his career, Dave has coached and participated in the development of 12 National Team players, several college, high school, and Parade All-Americans, 20 professional players, and 3 professional-level coaches. Among his proudest achievements is the Virginia Club Champions League, which he formed in 1997. The VCCL has grown to eight clubs from all over Virginia and continues to be one of the most progressive and competitive leagues in the country.

 
 

Bob Sokolinsky (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2005

Bob was an NSCAA All-American at Broome Community College. After entering the Navy in 1963, he was stationed in Turkey where he played and coached on a base team and played and trained with a local village team. He moved and founded the Virginia Beach Soccer Club in 1977. For many years Bob worked with recreational, travel, junior high and high school teams, winning many league and tournament championships. He also coached U14 Girls at the State level for six years. In 1985, Bob’s ’72 Fury won State Cup, he was co-chair of the All-Navy team, and he was selected as the VYSA Boys Coach of the Year. Bob has served on the Boards and as President of Virginia Beach Soccer Club, Beach FC, Southeastern Virginia Soccer League, and the Southeastern Virginia Soccer Referees Association. Beach FC has honored him by issuing annual scholarships in his name to a graduating boy and girl.

 
 
John Kerr, Sr. (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2004
 

 

John Kerr began his career in the United States in 1968 with the NASL’s Detroit Cougars. That same year he also captained the Canadian National Team in the World Cup Elimination Tournament. For the next several years he played with the ASL Washington Darts and coached at Georgetown University and American University. John next played with the HOTA Club of the German American Soccer League, the New York Cosmos, Club America of the Mexican First Division, and then back to the Cosmos. He was named #10 on Soccer America’s 20 Men of Influence in Soccer in 1981. His Montgomery United team won the U16 North American Championship in 1981. He also coached the Fairfax Spartans to the National Amateur Championships in 1986. In 1997, John organized the first Soccer Players Association and the first Players Association in the Major Indoor Soccer League, and negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreements, including freedom of contract for the players, in both of those agreements.

 
 
 

Mike Berticelli (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2003

 

Mike’s soccer career began at the University of Maine at Farmington, where he was a goalkeeper and team captain. His collegiate coaching career began at Maine’s Thomas College. He then led UNC-Greensboro to NCAA Division II national titles in 1982 and 1983. Next, at Old Dominion, his team won the 1987 Sun Belt Conference Championship. In 1996, Mike guided Notre Dame through its most successful season, when they won the Big East Tournament Championship. He was the National Director of Coaching for the NSCAA, the NCAA National Coach of the Year, Division III, in 1982, and the Midwest Conference Coach of the Year in 1993 and 1994. Mike was honored by the Maine Sports Hall of Fame with the 1997 Outstanding Achievement Award and the 1995 Presidential Award, and was inducted into the Maine-Farmington Sports Hall of Fame in 1999, shortly before he passed away.

 
 
 
 
 
Don Hood (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2003

Don’s soccer career began in the UK, where he played in school, while serving in the British Army, and on an amateur team. When he moved to Massachusetts, he began 20 years of officiating; after a move to Virginia he continued refereeing while starting administrative duties. Don was the State Referee Administrator for the Metro-D.C./Virginia Soccer Association for seven years, was the first State Referee Instructor, and was the first NASL Assessor. He was the President of the DC/NOVA Soccer Referees Unit for three years and was selected as the DC/NOVA “Man of the Year” in 1983. Don was a member and Chairman of the Region I Appeals Committee and was the Amateur delegate to the Metro D.C./Virginia State Referee Committee for many years.

  

 

Hank Leung (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2003

Hank is the Head Coach of the Northern Virginia Majestics and is a member of the VYSA Coaching Education Staff. He was the Head Women’s Soccer Coach at George Mason University for ten years, the U.S. National Women’s Team Assistant Coach for five years, and the U.S. Youth National Women’s Team Head Coach for four years. Hank has also been the VYSA Director of Coaching, a U.S. Soccer staff coach, and the EPYSA Director of Coaching. He was a member of the U.S. Youth Soccer Region I Staff for many years. Hank was named National Coach of the Year by the U.S. Youth Soccer Association in 1982, by the NCAA in 1985, and by the W-League in 2000.

  

 

Bruce Arena (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2002


Arena has been coaching soccer since his college graduation. At the University of Virginia he won five NCAA Division I Championships and received seven ACC Coach of the Year honors, along with the National Coach of the Year Award in 1993. He led D. C. United to victory in the MLS Cup during its inaugural season, and the following year earned MLS Coach of the Year honors. In 1998 he took over as head coach of the U. S. Men’s National Team with the goal of qualifying for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan. His team finished in third place at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Mexico in 1999 and in first place at the 2000 Nike U. S. Cup. As he approaches his 50th game at the helm of the U. S. Men, Arena has compiled a 22-12-12 record.

 
 
 
 
 

John Koskinen (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2002

 

After graduation from Law School and during a career in both public service and the private sector, Koskinen coached youth soccer for ten years, and was named the 1989 Women’s Coach of the Year in Maryland. He was a founder of the American Soccer League, and the owner of the Washington Stars and later the Maryland Bays. Koskinen was elected as one of the nine original directors of the US Soccer Foundation in 1994. He was the chair of Soccer “94 DC Region and was responsible for bringing the ‘94 World Cup Games and the “96 Olympic Soccer Games to Washington. He is currently a member of the Advisory Committee to the President, US Soccer Federation, and was reappointed last year as Director, US Soccer Foundation.

 
 

 

Wally Watson (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2002

 

 

 

Watson began his soccer activities in the late 1960’s with the Annandale Boys Club where he helped to organize the club’s first Girls League. In 1970 he was elected Junior Commissioner for the National Soccer League of Washington. Two years later he became active in the newly-formed Metropolitan D. C. – Virginia Soccer Association State Youth Cups, and has served as president since 1975. Watson has served for over ten years as chairperson of the Select Team Committee of the United States Amateur Soccer Association. He was the Secretary and Deputy Director of USASA Region I and became Director in 1990. He has represented the USASA Region I on the USSF National Board of Directors for over 11 years.
                  

 

 

Mavis Derflinger (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2001

Derflinger began her soccer career when she coached a girl’s team in Lee-Mt. Vernon (1969). She teamed with Rael Vodicka in the early 1970’s to form the Washington Area Girls Soccer League (WAGS), where she served as treasurer. Derflinger was elected the President of the Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA) and was named the Region I Director for United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) by the mid-1970’s.She became the first female Board member of the US Soccer Federation (USSF) in the early 1980’s and in 1986 was elected Chairman of US Youth Soccer, which put her on the USSF Executive Committee. Derflinger fought tirelessly for funding for the US Women’s program and sees the US Women’s development as one of her proudest achievements. USSF voted her a “Life Member” in 1990. She received the Sporting Goods Manufacturers of America “National Heroes Award” in 1995 for her dedication to soccer in the local community. In 2004 Mavis was inducted into the CONCACAF Hall of Fame. In 2009 Mavis was inducted into the US Youth Soccer Hall of Fame and the US Youth Soccer Region I Hall of Fame in (its inaugural year).

 


Adele Dolansky (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2001

 

Dolansky started her soccer work in 1974 as a coach for Fairfax Police Youth Club (FPYC), moving on to coach in the Washington Area Girls Soccer League (WAGS) in 1976. She served as FPYC’s Vice President during this period. Dolansky was elected WAGS President in 1977 and served in that role until 1997. Her tenure with the Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA) included serving as Vice President from 1982-1985 and as President from 1985-1994. Dolansky became a Sub-Regional Director for US Youth Soccer (USYSA) in 1994 and served on the founding Board of US Soccer Foundation and as Secretary from 1994-1997. She served as Region I Champions Chair from 1985 to 2014 and as the US Youth Soccer Region I Administrator from 1997-2014. In 1998 Adele was awarded the first VYSA Volunteer of the Year award. Dolansky received USYSA’s Region I Female Volunteer Recipient Award in 1991 and was selected VYSA’s first “Adele Dolansky Exemplary Service Award” in 1996. Adele received an NSCAA Letter of Commendation in 1997 and was selected for NSCAA’s “Youth Long-Term Achievement Award” in 1998. In 2003 Adele received the NSCAA Women's Committee Award of Excellence. In 2009 she was inducted into the US Youth Soccer Region I Hall of Fame (its Inaugural Year) and in 2011 was inducted into the US Youth Soccer Hall of Fame.

 
 

Ed Fath (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2001

Eddie Fath served soccer in Washington DC for 30 years until he passed away in 1985. He founded the Washington Internationals Soccer Club and Myron Corwell, organized Washington All-Star teams, and staged numerous “soccer events” for the Washington DC area. Fath used his position at the Washington Star and contact with the Baltimore papers to continually promote the game. Fath could rightfully be called “Mr. Soccer” in Washington DC during the period from the mid-1950’s through the mid-1970’s. Also a player, Fath’s strengths were in continually organizing and promoting the game in our area when it was still considered a “foreign sport”.

 
 
 
 
Everett Germain (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2001
 

Germain is one of the true pioneers in Virginia Soccer, called the “father of youth soccer in Northern Virginia”. Active in the sport for 38 years, he founded one of the first premier soccer clubs in the area, the Annandale Boys and Girls Club, and was instrumental in launching Montgomery Soccer (MSI), Sterling Youth Soccer, Lee-Mt. Vernon Soccer Association, National Capital Soccer League (NCSL) and Washington Area Girls Soccer League (WAGS). He also started Women’s College soccer in Virginia. Germain remains active as the Annandale club’s President. He worked with the Washington Darts in the early 1960’s to develop the club’s youth team, the “Junior Darts”, and founded soccer’s first apprenticeship program connecting youth soccer and Northern Virginia Community College. Germain developed numerous NCAA Division I and National Team players and was instrumental in enlisting top European coaches, such as Will Coerver, to develop our soccer programs

 

Lawrence A. Monaco, Jr. (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2001

Larry became actively involved with soccer in 1970 when he assisted in establishing Soccer on the Hill, the first Washington DC youth soccer league. Monaco subsequently became a US Soccer Federation (USSF) referee and received the USSF “D” Coaching license. From 1984-1997, Monaco served on VYSA’s Board of Directors, including stints as Vice President and Secretary. Nationally, Monaco has served on US Youth Soccer Association and US Soccer Federation Appeals and Rules Committees, chairing the latter. From 1994-1998, Monaco served as US Soccer Federation Executive Vice President and on the US Soccer Federation’s Board of Directors. He was elected and served as Vice President of US Youth Soccer from 1999-2001. In 2005, Larry was awarded the first NSCAA National Youth Recreational Coach of the Year for youth female players. Larry was also elected and served as President of US Youth Soccer from 2006-2010. He is the immediate past President of US Youth Soccer and is the Co-Chair of its National League Committee. In 2009 Larry was inducted into the US Youth Soccer Region I Hall of Fame and was inducted into the US Youth Soccer Hall of Fame in 2012.

 

George Towner (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2001

One of the true pioneers of Virginia soccer, Towner founded the Potomac Kiwanis Soccer Club in 1969, and has served since then as its Treasurer. He has also been a coach and club manager. In 1970, he helped to found the Arlington Soccer Association, serving as an officer and continuing Board member. Towner was elected President of the Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA) in 1982, serving until 1985. VYSA membership grew from 6,000 to 31,000 during this period. Towner also established the VYSA Newsletter. Towner has served as US Youth Soccer (USYSA) Sub Regional Director, USYSA Regional Director, and on the US Soccer Federation (USSF) Board of Directors. He has held numerous committee chairmanships with both USYSA and USSF, and wrote a weekly soccer column for the Northern Virginia Sun. Towner’s honors include Arlington Interservice Club Council’s “Man of the Year” for youth soccer development (1970), the Virginia Parks and Recreation Society’s award for “Outstanding Support and Achievement for Volunteer Services” (1973) and selection by Better Sports Club as the Arlington “Sportsman of the Year” (1989).