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

Brief bios of the regional winners are below based on the submitted nomination forms.

 

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.

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

Brief bios of the regional winners are below based on the submitted application forms.

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.