Indiana Youth Soccer's Don Rawson receives first Jerry Yeagley Award

The NSCAA recognized outstanding achievement in and service to the sport with the presentation of Letters of Commendation and Certificates of Appreciation at its annual Awards Banquet on Friday evening in Philadelphia. Also included was the first presentation of the Jerry Yeagley Award, which was given to Don Rawson of Indianapolis in recognition of his extensive contributions to the sport of soccer in the state of Indiana.

Certificates of Appreciation
Sasho Cirovski, University of Maryland
Cirovksi was the driving force behind two major advances for the NSCAA in 2005. His efforts resulted in the creation of the NSCAA’s Division I Intercollegiate Programs Director position, which serves as an advocate for the improvement of the game at the Division I level. Cirovski also laid the foundation for a weekly television package, which turned into the featured Friday night matches on Fox Soccer Channel. That program will grow into include both men’s and women’s play in 2006.

Mike Connerly, San Diego Surf Cup
As president and tournament director of the San Diego Surf Cup, Connerly has grown the event from a small regional tournament to one of the top events in the nation in the past 18 years. The past president of the San Dieguito Youth Soccer League, he has served Cal South in a variety of capacities.

Diane Davey, Plano Senior High School
Celebrating her 20th year as an NSCAA member, Davey has been an active volunteer in the NSCAA awards program. Her efforts have helped grow the All-America program and gain richly-deserved visibility for girls players in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. She also serves as a regional chair for the NSCAA/adidas girls high school winter rankings.

Miguel DeLima, Club Atletico Paranaense, Brazil
DeLima played a critical role in conceiving and producing the NSCAA International Premier Diploma Course that was held at his club’s facilities in Paranaense, Brazil, last spring. Nearly 40 coaches earned the NSCAA’s top diploma while experiencing the unique Brazilian soccer culture thanks to DeLima’s efforts, and we look forward to expanding the relationship in the future.

Alan King, Harbor City, Calif.
King has been a linchpin in the NSCAA’s high school awards program in the western region of the country. An NSCAA member since 1983, he currently serves as a regional chair for the three different NSCAA/adidas awards programs for high school girls: spring rankings, Coach of the Year and Scholar All-America team. He truly is an example of someone who gives of himself to the NSCAA to further the good of the game.

Letters of Commendation
Shannon Cirovski, University of Maryland
Throughout her playing and coaching career, Cirovski has served as an inspiration to female soccer coaches and players. As a player, she won the Hermann Trophy and Honda-Broderick Award and became the youngest person ever inducted into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame. She then compiled a 131-110-21 record in coaching stints at George Washington University and the University of Maryland.

Jay Hoffman, U.S. Paralympic Team
Appointed as the head coach of the U.S. Paralympic Team in July of 2003, Hoffman achieved his first goal, qualifying his team to compete in the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to raise the visibility of the Paralympic effort to expand the tool of players for international competition.

Jack Huckel, National Soccer Hall of Fame
The Director of Communications for the National Soccer Hall of Fame, Huckel Joe serves the NSCAA as its Assistant Historian. In his role as chairman of the association’s Hall of Fame committee, he oversees the process for selecting those who receive one of the NSCAA’s highest honors. He also plays a key role in the Big 3 Weekend, the annual enshrinement event for the NSCAA, AYSO and NISOA in Oneonta.

Samantha LaRocca, Monroe Community College
A freshman on the Monroe Community College women’s team, LaRocca was diagnosed with a brain tumor midway through the season. However, she insisted on accompanying the team to the NJCAA national championships, where she came off the bench in three matches and inspired her teammates to a successful defense of their title. She underwent surgery for the tumor on January 9.

Joe Lee, Smithtown, N.Y.
Lee has successfully guided teams to national championship games and regional titles, he also has won a total of 10 sportsmanship awards at the youth, high school or college levels. The women’s coach at St. Joseph’s College in New York, he is a two-time Skyline Conference Coach of the Year and is the first coach to win the New York Metro Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association’s Sportsmanship Award twice in three years.

Jerry Yeagley Award – Don Rawson, Indiana Youth Soccer Association
Rawson was a player and assistant coach at Indiana University, where he played a critical role in helping soccer become a varsity sport. Currently the executive director of the Indiana Youth Soccer Association, he has worked tirelessly to promote the game through clinics for players and coaches. A member of the Indiana Youth Soccer Hall of Fame, he also helped coordinate the Chicago venue for the 1994 World Cup. The award is named after Jerry Yeagley, the retired coach who led the Indiana University men's program from its inception to a total of six NCAA Division I championships.

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