Four coaches who have had a significant impact on the American soccer landscape were honored Friday evening, Jan. 18, as the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) recognized their contributions at the intercollegiate, interscholastic and youth levels of play, as well as in the area of coaching education.

John Rennie of Duke University was honored for his contributions to intercollegiate soccer, while Rothwell "Rusty" Taylor was singled out for his impact on high school soccer in the San Francisco area and the West Coast. Efrain "Chico" Chacurian was recognized for his decades of work in youth soccer, while Schellas Hyndman, the men's coach at Southern Methodist University and a long-time member of the NSCAA's education staff, received the Association's award for excellence in coaching education. Each was presented their award by NSCAA President Steve Malone at the Awards Banquet in Baltimore, Md.

Bill Jeffrey Award – John Rennie, Duke
At the end of the 2007 season, Rennie retired after 35 years as a college coach, compiling a record of 454-206-50. During the past 29 years, he built Duke into one of the most respected programs in the nation. Under his direction the Blue Devils made 20 NCAA Tournament appearances. Having reached the College Cup five times, his team advanced to the title game three times and won the national championship in 1986. It was the first team title won at Duke regardless of sport. Rennie is ranked fifth all-time in career victories and his 95 conference wins are the most in the ACC. His teams won six ACC regular-season titles and three league tournament championships. The National Coach of the Year in 1982, he is a five-time ACC Coach of the Year. Five of his players earned National Player of the Year honors and 29 were named All-America. The award is named for the late Penn State coach who led the United States to its most dramatic international victory, a 1-0 decision over England in the 1950 World Cup.

Robert W. Robinson Award – Rothwell “Rusty” Taylor, Bentley School
Taylor has been a fixture in West Coast high school soccer since 1972. He has coached at four different schools in the San Francisco area during that time, compiling a career record of 1139 wins against only 207 losses and 74 ties. He has surpassed the 500-win plateau as a boys coach and the 600-win mark coaching girls. He may be best known for his stint as the boys and girls coach at San Francisco University High School, where he won 766 games and won four national coach of the year awards. His NSCAA national recognition includes the Girls Large School Coach of the Year award in 1982, the Boys Private/Parochial Award in 1992 and the Girls Small School Award in 1999. He also has helped grow the NSCAA presence on the West Coast by serving at times on both its Coach of the Year and All-America committees. He currently coaches at the Bentley School, where he also is the athletics director. The award is named after Robert W. Robinson, a successful high school coach from the Philadelphia area who has served the NSCAA in a variety of capacities for more than 30 years.

Youth Long-Term Service Award – Efrain “Chico” Chacurian
Chacurian has a long and distinguished career as a player and coach, earning him entry into the National Soccer Hall of Fame as a player in 1996. He began coaching youth soccer in 1962, while still an active player. He and other coaches have conducted ODP recognition sessions at Rider College for 35 years, developing teams for the Region I National Youth Program. His professional playing career began in 1939, when he signed with the famed Racing club of Buenos Aires. He came to the United States in 1947, when he began playing for several clubs in the New York City area. He then moved to Connecticut, where he played for Bridgeport City, a team he later coached. A former member of the U.S. National Team, he also coached at Southern Connecticut State and Yale University. He still coaches, working with a U-9 girls team, and participates in the local “old-timers” match every Tuesday night.

Mike Berticelli Excellence in Coaching Education Award – Schellas Hyndman
Hyndman has been an influential part of the NSCAA Academy staff for a number of years. As a member of the Senior Academy Staff, he has shaped the instruction of NSCAA candidates and has taught NSCAA courses throughout the nation as well as in England and Brazil. The former NSCAA Vice President for Education and NSCAA president in 2005, he also is an NSCAA Director of Coaching Emeritus. He has a career record of 466-122-49 in 31 seasons as an NCAA Division I head coach. The award is named in memory of Mike Berticelli, the late University of Notre Dame men's coach who was serving as the NSCAA's Vice President for Education at the time of his passing in 2000.

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