Coaches Communities Awards of Excellence

ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER COACHES AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

The Asian/Pacific Islander Coaches Community will have an annual Award of Excellence to recognize an individual, organization, group or other entity who has shown support in championing diversity, awareness and belonging at every level of the game for API coaches and other personnel and allies.

The nominee can be a member or non-member. A chair appointed by each Coaches Community coordinates selection. The award will be presented each January at the annual United Soccer Coaches Convention.

Past Recipients

2023 – Nadia Nadim
2022 – Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak
2021 – Franz Gastler

Asian/Pacific Islander Coaches Award of Excellence Nomination Form

BLACK COACHES AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

The Black Coaches Community has established an annual Award of Excellence to recognize an individual, organization, group or other entity who has worked and/or served to bring attention, honor and distinction to soccer coaches of color in the game.

The nominee can be a member or non-member. Selection is coordinated by a Chair appointed by each Coaches Community. The award will be presented each January at the annual United Soccer Coaches Convention.

Past Recipients

2023 – Lorne Donaldson
2022 – Kendall Reyes
2021 – Stanley Harmon
2020 – Sam Okpodu
2019 – Karla Thompson
2018 – Kim Crabbe

Black Coaches Award of Excellence Nomination Form

DISABILITIES ALLIES AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

The Disabilities Allies Coaches Community has established an annual Award of Excellence to recognize an individual, organization, group or other entity who has demonstrated experience, contributed growth and has inspired others to get involved with disability soccer.

Past Recipients

2023 – Kate Ward
2022 – Stuart Sharp
2021 – Tari St. John
2020 – Shawn Danhouser
2019 – Chris Finn
2018 – Lauren Gregg

Disabilities Allies Award of Excellence Nomination Form

FAITH-BASED COACHES AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

The Faith-Based Coaches Community has established an annual Award of Excellence to recognize an individual, organization, group or other entity who has used their leadership style to influence individuals and core team values transparently and authentically in their work with their players, school and soccer community.

Past Recipients

2023 – Audrey Adkison
2022 – John B. Orozco
2021 – Lang Wedemeyer
2020 – Pete Felske
2019 – Patrick Gilliam
2018 – Dan Wood

Faith-Based Coaches Award of Excellence Nomination Form

LATINO COACHES AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

The Latino Coaches Community has established an annual Award of Excellence to recognize an individual, organization, group or other entity who has demonstrated extraordinary accomplishment in the Latin soccer community.

The candidate for this award should have demonstrated a great impact, instilled sportsmanship, used the game to teach life skills such as responsibility, teamwork, problem solving, commitment, coping with success and failure, self-discipline, time management, cooperation, collaboration and respect to his/her players, parents and others. They should be a role model with positive influence that fosters the importance of education and creates a training environment that allows for enthusiasm, creativity and self-confidence.

Past Recipients

2023 – Rene Miramontes
2022 – Cynthia Cervantes
2021 – Rick Flores
2020 – Jaime Ramirez
2019 – Lou Sagastume
2018 – Charlie Inverso

Latino Coaches Award of Excellence Nomination Form

LGBTQ+ & ALLIES AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

The LGBTQ+ & Allies Coaches Community has established an annual Award of Excellence to honor and recognize an individual, organization, group or other entity who has had a significant positive influence on the LGBTQ+ soccer community. The candidate should be a soccer coach, player or administrator at the high school, college or club level who has contributed to LGBTQ+ inclusive environments in their respective areas of influence such as contributing, promoting and/or advocating on behalf LGBTQ+ coaches, players and fans of the game.

The nominee can be a member or non-member. Selection is coordinated by a Chair appointed by the Coaches Community. The award will be presented each January at the annual United Soccer Coaches Convention.

Past Recipients

2023 – Megan Ostrelich
2022 – Yuno Martinez
2021 – Brie Smith
2020 – Robin Hart
2019 – Dan Woog
2018 – Sue Ryan

LGBTQ+ & Allies Award of Excellence Nomination Form

NATIVE AMERICAN COACHES AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

The Native American Coaches Community has established an annual Award of Excellence to recognize an individual, organization, group or other entity who has demonstrated extraordinary accomplishments in the Native American soccer community. The candidate should be a soccer coach, player or administrator at the high school, college or club level. The candidate should have contributed to the Native American inclusive environment in their respective areas of influence such as promoting and/or advocating on behalf of Native American coaches, players and fans.

The candidate should have instilled sportsmanship and used the game to teach life skills such as responsibility, teamwork, problem solving, commitment, coping with success and failure, self-discipline, time management, cooperation, collaboration and respect to his/her players, parents and others. They should be a role model with positive influence that fosters the importance of education and creates a training environment that allows for enthusiasm, creativity and self-confidence.

The nominee can be a member or non-member. Selection is coordinated by a Chair appointed by the Coaches Community. The award will be presented at the annual United Soccer Coaches Convention.

Past Recipients

2023 – Dano Thorne
2022 – NB3 Foundation
2021 – Marty Behler
2020 – Boyna Bear
2019 – Kascaundra Poitra

Native American Coaches Award of Excellence Nomination Form

VETERANS, ACTIVE MILITARY AND AFFILIATES AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

The Veterans, Active Military and Affiliates (VAMA) Soccer Coaches Community presents an annual Award of Excellence to recognize an individual or organization who has worked and/or served to bring attention, honor and distinction to veterans, active military and affilate coaches, players and/or teams in the game who have served or are affiliated with the military. The nominee can be a member or non-member. A Chair from the Coaches Community coordinates the selection. The award is presented each January at the annual United Soccer Coaches Convention.

Past Recipients

2023 – Col. Tedd Ogren

Veterans, Active Military and Affiliates Award of Excellence Nomination Form

WOMEN’S SOCCER AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

The Women’s Soccer Award of Excellence was established in 1999 to recognize those who have brought honor and distinction to women’s soccer.

Past Winners

2023 – Jan Smisek, Seattle, Wash.
2022 – Staci Wilson, The Pine School/Hobe Sound Soccer Club, Stuart, Fla.
2021 – Amy Griffin, OL Reign Academy
2020 – Aliceann Wilber, William Smith College
2019 – Jill Ellis, U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach
2018 – Nancy Feldman, Boston University
2017 – Carin Gabarra, United States Naval Academy
2016 – Marcia McDermott, United States Military Academy
2015 – Janet Rayfield, University of Illinois
2014 – Denise Dallamora, Brandeis University
2013 – Kristine Lilly, United States Women’s National Team Player
2012 – Lesle Gallimore, University of Washington
2011 – Sue Ryan, Stony Brook University
2010 – John Daly, College of William and Mary
2009 – Louise Waxler, Columbia, Md.
2008 – Tony DiCicco, U.S. Soccer and Boston Breakers (WPS)
2007 – Charlotte Moran, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association
2006 – Anson Dorrance, University of North Carolina and U.S. Soccer
2005 – Lynn Berling-Manuel, CEO and Publisher, Soccer America
2004 – Colleen Hacker, Pacific Lutheran University and U.S. Soccer
2003 – Adele Dolansky, Washington Area Girls Soccer League
2002 – Michelle Morgan, Amherst College
2001 – Lauren Gregg, WUSA and U.S. Soccer
2000 – Michelle Akers, U.S. Women’s National Team Player
1999 – April Heinrichs, U.S. Women’s National Team Player and Coach