FORT WORTH, Texas (Feb. 26, 2010) - The recipient of the 2009 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year award was announced tonight at the US Youth Soccer Awards Gala, held in conjunction with the 2010 US Youth Soccer adidas Workshop at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The national TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year award winner is Lauren Lawless of Topeka, Kan.

Hilary Kennedy, host of The US Youth Soccer Show on Fox Soccer Channel, set the stage for the night as the master of ceremonies for the more than 1,000 in attendance. Boys and Girls Competitive and Recreation Coaches of the Year, Administrator of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Goal and Save of the Year, Male and Female Young Referees of the Year and the Dr. Thomas Fleck Award were also presented during the Gala and the US Youth Soccer Hall of Fame inductees were honored as well.

 

Lauren Lawless, of Topeka, Kan., a four-year student athlete at Washburn University, has been with Topeka TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) since its inception. She leads practices for six to eight-year-olds and serves as liaison between the program and Washburn University. As liaison, she coordinated a TOPSoccer night at a Washburn University women's soccer game to honor members of TOPSoccer. Lawless is determined to see the program grow and has encouraged several college teammates to volunteer. To end the first season, she sent handwritten notes to thank players for their participation.

The recipient of the TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year award was selected by the US Youth Soccer Board of Directors for being a role model who creates a fun learning experience as a mentor, advocate, coach or administrator.

 

The regional winners of the 2009 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year are:

For bios on each of the regional award winners, click here.

For more information about the US Youth Soccer Awards Gala and award winners, go to USYouthSoccer.org/workshop/galaawards. To find out more about TOPSoccer, go to /programs/TOPSoccer.asp.

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About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) – US Youth Soccer - "The Game for ALL Kids!^®" is the largest youth sports organization in the country and largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, and over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers in 55 member State Associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. For more information, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org.

 

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