KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Dec. 12, 2025) – Each year at the United Soccer Coaches Convention, the association recognizes a select few for their special contributions to the sport and the association’s membership. This year, three individuals will be presented Letters of Commendation at the Awards Ceremony on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, as part of the 86th annual Convention in Philadelphia, Pa.
The United Soccer Coaches Letter of Commendation is presented to a recipient for their service to, impact on, and/or positive influence on the association and/or the game of soccer in the United States. This year’s three recipients are:
Doug Allison: A United Soccer Coaches member since 1993, Allison will retire after the 2025 season, concluding a distinguished 31-year tenure as head coach of the Furman University men’s soccer program. Since 1995, Allison has become the winningest coach in Southern Conference history, leading the Paladins to 12 regular season titles, 11 tournament championships, and 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Final Four in 1999, a Sweet Sixteen in 2002 and, at the time of this writing, a Final Four in 2025. He was named United Soccer Coaches South Region Staff of the Year in 2024 and 2025 and has earned 10 SoCon Coach of the Year honors. Allison has developed 152 All-SoCon players, 30 All-Americans, and mentored future U.S. National Team and MLS athletes. As a player, he set scoring records at the University of South Carolina and was inducted into its Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.
Arthur “Skip” Roderick: With a longevity in the sport that spanned parts of seven decades, Arthur “Skip” Roderick has found on-field success at every level having played and coached in high school, college and pro. One of the most well-respected coaches in Mid-Atlantic region, Skip played professionally in Ireland (Sligo Rovers), and in the United States for the Philadelphia Atoms (NASL), Philadelphia Fever (MISL), New Jersey Americans (ASL) and the Philadelphia Ukrainians (GASL) before finding his coaching home at Elizabethtown College. During his 40-plus seasons as head men’s coach at NCAA Division III Elizabethtown College, he won 573 games, guiding 19 teams to the NCAA Division III men’s tournament and won 11 conference titles. He mentored his 1989 team to the Division III national championship. Ira R. Herr Athletic Hall of Fame on three separate occasions (player, coach, and with his 1989 team). A United Soccer Coaches member since 1984, Roderick has been inducted into several Halls of Fame, most notably the Delaware County (Pa.) Athletes, Middle Atlantic Conference, Delco Soccer League, Springfield High School and in three separate categories, the Elizabethtown College Ira A. Herr Athletic Hall of Fame.
Charles Straw: A United Soccer Coaches member since 1979, Straw played collegiately at Davis & Elkins College, helping the Senators capture the 1968 NAIA National Championship and a runner-up finish in 1969. After graduation, he served as a Commander in the 92nd Supply Squadron of the United States Air Force at Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington, guiding the active-duty US Air Force team to the 1985 interservice championship. Straw has coached at every level of soccer except professionally, earning wide respect for developing players across the youth, high school and college levels. He also coached for the Massachusetts Olympic Development Program, FC Greater Boston Soccer Club and the Albuquerque (N.M.) Academy.
United Soccer Coaches will be awarding Certificates of Appreciation to the following individuals:
Amanda Evans: As chair of the Coaches of Women’s Soccer Committee for the past three years, she has contributed to the growth of mothers who coach, free child care at the convention, a continued women’s diploma at convention and building bridges with the other coaching communities.
Moriano Imaizumi: He actively participated in and supported United Soccer Coaches and the API Coaches Community, bringing lessons learned in soccer from Japan and the United States to our community. Imaizumi has also opened doors creating working relationships in Japan for the API Coaches Community.
Frank Lawrence: For over 25 years, Lawrence has serviced the association in its Awards program, first serving as the Junior College Women National Staff of the Year. In addition, he served on the Junior College Women’s national rankings commmitee. Lawrence has been active at the high school level in the state of New Jersey, serving as the State Chair for the Girls All-America and Coach of the Year programs. He most recently served as the Girls Fall High School East Region Chair for Coach of the Year.
Maurico Lozada: As as past chair of the Latino Coaches Community, Lozada laid much of the foundation of what is now a growing entity within the association’s community groups. He worked hard for our community while holding down a full-time university head coach position, creating a family, and coaching at various clubs in Colorado and the Twin Cities.
Jimmy Mancusi: The developer and on-site tech person for the association’s online Awards and Rankings system for the past 15 years, Mancusi took the lead on a massive upgrade of the system this past Spring and Summer. It was his guidance and hard work that brought the system to fruition in time for the beginning of the College and Fall High School seasons.
Garon Taylor-Tyree: The founding member and first chair of the Veterans, Active Military and Affiliate Members Coaches Community, Taylor-Tyree shines as an example to all his committee speaking to his leadership, commitment and dedication.