2009 US Youth Soccer adidas Coach of the Year - Boys Competitive
Aaron Brunner, Virginia Youth Soccer Association

Girls Competitive Coach of the Year regional winners:
Region I - David Suvak – Winchester, Mass.
David Suvak serves in many capacities in the soccer community, but his passion is coaching youth soccer. He holds a USSF "C" License and has the philosophy to develop quality soccer players and individuals simultaneously. Suvak's will to create a positive learning environment reached fruition when his Under-17 Girls Sachem FC team won the US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup in 2009. Though he pushes his players to compete at the highest level, he places good sportsmanship at the top of their priority list.

Region II - Keri Sarver – Akron, Ohio -North
Keri Sarver teaches her players that they must practice technical aspects, but also master the mental, physical and emotional aspects to achieve success. Her Under-17 Girls Internationals Soccer Club bought into her philosophy, leading them to compete in the 2009 US Youth Soccer National Championships. Sarver's coaching resume consists of one national finalist, 13 regional semifinalists and five Ohio North State Championships. A true student of the game, Sarver is a USSF "A" License coach, the first female in Ohio North to achieve this level.

Region III – James Soesbee – Norman, Okla.
James Soesbee has been coaching for over 20 years, holds a USSF "A" License and has made history in Oklahoma girl's youth soccer. As the director of development and academy for Edmonds Soccer Club, he has captured six Oklahoma State Championships and one Region III Championship, a game where his team defeated the defending national champion. His success has been achieved by creating team chemistry while earning the respect of his players to create a cohesiveness that elevated each player's skill set.

Region IV – Tom Jaeger – Salem, Ore.
Tom Jaeger has created a winning blueprint for teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership and character building among his players. With this formula, Jaeger took his Under-14 Girls Cascade FC to the Region IV quarterfinals in 2008. He encourages his players to select one detail with their technique, tactic, fitness or mental toughness and focus on developing that detail during each training session. Jaeger believes in developing every player to create a deep team that is united in the same goals and ideas.

Region I - Aaron Brunner – Woodbridge, Va.
Aaron Brunner's coaching philosophy revolves around making the ball every player's favorite toy to empower players with confidence to focus on long-term development. A product of US Youth Soccer ODP and now a USSF "A" License and National Youth License coach, he gives back by coaching for Virginia US Youth Soccer ODP and with Prince William Soccer. While achieving success at the competitive level, he continually reinforces the importance of sportsmanship.

Region II - John Keating – Omaha, Neb.
John Keating believes in putting the problem in the players' hands, allowing them time and space to fail or succeed. Through this, the USSF "A" License and National Youth License coach enables his teams at Omaha FC to achieve great success. He has captured three Nebraska State Championships and coached one team through three undefeated seasons. He is known for balancing development and success with the perspective of always striving to win more than they lose. Keating emphasizes the importance of technique and demands character and accountability.

Region III - Elmar Bolowich – Chapel Hill, N.C.
Elmar Bolowich of Triangle United Soccer Association is a USSF "A" License coach who holds a "B" License from Germany. He demands excellence and inspires courage, instilling the belief that great things are possible for those who make individual sacrifices for the team. He has taken three teams to the US Youth Soccer National Championships, one competing for the McGuire Cup. He served as a US Youth Soccer ODP Region III staff coach. Bolowich is entering his 21^st season as the University of North Carolina Men's head soccer coach.

Region IV - Marco De Oliveira – Normandy Park, Wash.
Marco De Oliveira has been coaching for almost 30 years. He works tirelessly to impact youth soccer in Washington, coaching for Seattle Soccer Club and Highline Soccer Association. Most recently, De Oliveira captured the Washington State Championship title with his Under-19 Boys. Through his years of coaching, he has helped his players compete at the collegiate, international and professional levels. Through his efforts and dedication, De Oliveira has impacted the lives of many youth, encouraging them to strive for excellence in all areas of life.

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2008 US Youth Soccer adidas Coach of the Year - Boys Competitive
Isang Jacob, Indiana Youth Soccer Association

2008 US Youth Soccer adidas Coach of the Year - Girls Competitive
Miriam Hickey, Michigan Youth Soccer Association

 

Region I – Michael Crocco, Stamford, Conn.
Michael Crocco, of Stamford, Conn., is walking proof that hard work will be rewarded. He has tirelessly volunteered with the Stamford Youth Soccer League for nearly 20 years. He has coached girls and boys from young recreation to premier, including two semifinalists and a finalist in the US Youth Soccer Connecticut State Championships. For his elite players, he teaches that playing at the premier level is a privilege and to treat everyone with respect. His players know him to be fair, and this commands his player's attention. In addition to coaching, Crocco also has served on all levels of Stamford Youth Soccer.

Region II – Miriam Hickey, Troy, Mich.
Miriam Hickey, of Troy, Mich., is the Vardar East girls coaching director and as coach of three winning teams, Hickey demonstrates that development comes first. Personally, she has attained her USSF "A" License and National Youth License. Her experience involves 20 years of coaching including US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program Region II staff coach, college coach and coach of the Netherlands National Team. Hickey commands dedication and holds her teams accountable to always try their best and strive for improvement.

 

Region III – Pete Sadin, Raleigh, N.C.
Pete Sadin, of Raleigh, N.C., plays such a key role in his player's lives that they call him "Mom". His Triangle Futbol Club 89 Navy Girls team went from an average team to going undefeated in the 2007 US Youth Soccer North Carolina State Championships. As a former player and college coach, Sadin has ties to colleges, knowledge of recruiting rules and a sincere desire to help his players explore their options while stressing academics first. Of his 14 players who expressed desire to play at a Division I school, all achieved their goal with Sadin's help and half received partial scholarships.

 

Region IV – Tad Bobak, Laguna Niguel, Calif.
Tad Bobak, of Laguna Niguel, Calif., teaches his players to be the best person then be the best soccer player. Bobak teaches and models positive values to his players. While he is a demanding coach and has high expectations of his players on the field, he also insists that his teams treat everyone with dignity and respect. Bobak has won two US Youth Soccer National Championships and numerous US Youth Soccer California South State Championships. Most recently, his older team won the 2007 Under-15 Girls US Youth Soccer National Championship and also earned the FIFA Fair Play Award. Bobak is also the U.S. Under-15 Girls National Team head coach.

 

Region I – Richard J. Frongillo, Franklin, Mass.
Richard J. Frongillo, of Franklin, Mass., coaches three travel teams (Under-12 Boys, Under-10 Boys and Under-13 Girls), one club team (Under-12 Boys), one instructional team (Under-8) and pee wee soccer (Under-5) for the Franklin Youth Soccer Association. Frongillo himself grew up playing in the Franklin Youth Soccer program and wanted to give back to his community after graduating from college. He now has 20 years of experience serving on the board and as a coach. Also, he serves as a state youth referee administrator and runs various clinics throughout the year.

Region II – Isang Jacob, Indianapolis, Ind.
Isang Jacob, of Indianapolis, Ind., builds fine young men first and skilled soccer players second. His players must excel at school, complete community service and work hard to earn a spot on the field. Through this dedication, Jacob led his Indy Burn 90 Premier Eagles to seven consecutive US Youth Soccer Indiana State Championships. All of his 2008 graduates play in college, 17 of them at Division I schools. His greatest accomplishment is having all former players enrolled and succeeding in college, whether or not they play soccer. The USSF "A" License and National Youth License coach also serves as the head Indiana US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program coach.

 

Region III – Patrick Zoete, Wellington, Fla.
Patrick Zoete, of Wellington, Fla., coaches two-time US Youth Soccer Florida State Champions, the Under-16 Boys Wellington Wave Premier and is also a US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program coach. Zoete holds his USSF "A" License. In 2005, Zoete started an international exchange program with a club in his home country of Belgium and his team travels as well as hosts the club in Florida. His 10 years of experience recently led him to quit his fulltime job to further dedicate himself to the soccer community by starting his own soccer company. He also started a college scholarship prep course to help players find soccer scholarships.

 

Region IV – Emerson Robbins, Shoreline, Wash.
Emerson "Skip" Robbins, of Shoreline, Wash., not only brought his bronze level recreational team to the select level, but also sponsored African refugees and now coaches a team with players from 10 different countries and five different religions. He encourages his Under-17 Shoreline International team to push each other on the field and celebrate their differences on and off it. Robbins instills competitiveness with an overriding value of respect. In his 25 years of coaching, Robbins has served on the Hillwood Soccer Club board, served as a mentor and valuable resource for his players and encouraged his players and their families to be better volunteers as he leads by example.

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2007 US Youth Soccer adidas Coach of the Year - Girls Competitive
Yon Struble, Georgia Youth Soccer Association

Region I – John P. Dawyot, Landenberg, Penn.
John P. Dawyot, from Landenberg, PA, coaches for Wilmington United in the Delaware Youth Soccer Association. Dawyot believes in good sportsmanship and therefore negative remarks from players or parents are not permitted. His team comes to practice excited and ready to play. He encourages his players to experience different sports and teams and has several players who have made the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (US Youth Soccer ODP). He works with his players that may not be playing to their full potential and strives to make sure that all players gain confidence and perfect their skills.

 

Huw Williams, from Shawnee Mission, KS, is the Director of the Sports Division of GCI. He is also the league director of Heartland Soccer and Technical Director of KCFC. Williams builds his players' character and self esteem. His players find out what type of character they possess. In 2006, his KCFC Intensity team was awarded the US Youth Soccer Region II Fair Play Award. Williams encourages his team to tryout for US Youth Soccer ODP, play as guest players and in pick-up games to improve their game.

Yon Struble, from Alpharetta, GA, coaches for the Norcross Soccer Academy. He has also coached US Youth Soccer ODP for nine years. In 2005, Struble's 1989 Georgia US Youth Soccer ODP Girls team placed third at the US Youth Soccer ODP National Championships. Struble lives by a strong value system and he expects his players to display strong character too. He inspires his players to improve themselves and their game. In his first two years with the team, he brought them up a level. He knew that move would continue to challenge his players, and with training they improved.

 

Pat Hanley, from Anchorage, AK, has coached soccer for 10 years and three years ago moved to the competitive level with the Northern Lights Soccer Club. In addition to coaching his players, Hanley allowed another team's players to play on his team at the Alaska US Youth Soccer State Championships because their team was not participating. He emphasizes hard work at his practices but balances work with fun. In fact, his players hate to miss practice. Hanley is also the president of the Northern Lights Soccer Club.

 

Michael Elster, from Sutton, MA, coaches for the Sutton Youth Soccer Club. Elster puts a lot of time and effort into his practices. He reviews previously taught skills at the beginning of practice before moving onto new drills. Elster challenges and motivates his players to learn and play the game. Also, Elster organized a large tournament to raise money for a young girl to receive important medical care. The event was very successful. Elster has taken the time to improve his coaching by obtaining his license and attending workshops.

 

Lars Richters, of Farmington, MI, coaches for the Michigan Wolves-Hawks Soccer Club. His Under-15 Boys team won the US Youth Soccer National Championship in 2007. He is a professional who sets an example for his players by respecting them, their parents, opponents and officials. Lars challenges his players' skills and pushes them to improve their weaker skills and while increasing their confidence. He tries to use soccer as a way to teach real life lessons to his players. Despite his on-field success, he does not employ a winning-at-all-costs attitude.

Region III - Brian Harvey, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Brian Harvey, from Oklahoma City, OK, inspires his players and parents. He is not only respectful but also professional when addressing his players, parents and officials. Even after having surgery, he never missed a practice and was never late. That set a good example for his team. Harvey's team enjoys their practices. He develops the player as well as the team so that the team's skills continue to grow. He is also a college coach and a US Youth Soccer ODP official, both of which improve his coaching at the youth level.

 

David Newman, from Bountiful, UT, is the head coach of an Under-15 Boys team with the Utah Rush and is also one of the competitive Program coordinators. He also conducts coaches' training for Under-8 division. Newman is not only a coach but also a mentor to his players. He teaches and demonstrates good sportsmanship by frequently cheering for the opposing team when they make good plays. He believes in his players and helps them believe in themselves.

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