The National Soccer Coaches Association of America reached a membership milestone, thanks to the generosity of one of its long-time members.

Erik Imler was given a membership by NSCAA Academy staff member Richard Butler, director of the Charlotte (N.C.) Soccer Club, through the NSCAA's Share the Membership program. That gift pushed the membership rolls of the world's largest coaches organization past the 30,000 mark. By contrast, when Butler first joined the NSCAA in 1991 the association had yet to reach 10,000 members.

Imler's soccer career has been filled with landmark moments. As a two-time NSCAA All-America for the University of Virginia, he captained the team to three NCAA national titles (1989, 1991 and 1992). A member of Soccer America's College Team of the Century and the College Team of the 1990s, he also was part of the U.S. team that won the gold medal at the 1991 Pan American Games in Cuba and played for the United States at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games. He was a member of the D.C. United club that won the MLS Cup in 1996 and played for the New England Revolution in 1997.

Co-founder of the Boot Room Soccer School, he served as coach of the Belmont Abbey women's soccer team for two years. He recently was named director of the Charlotte Soccer Academy - Carbarrus, where he coaches three youth teams.

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