US Youth Soccer adidas Coach of the Year - Boys Recreation
2007 | Gary Waltz, California Youth Soccer Association-North
2008 | Kristen Saccomano, New Jersey Youth Soccer Association

 

US Youth Soccer adidas Coach of the Year - Girls Recreation
2007 | Elizabeth Nordell, Minnesota Youth Soccer Association
2008 | Scott Howard, Kansas Youth Soccer Association

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

 

Region I – Tom Garbowski, Wilmington, Del.
Tom Garbowski, of Wilmington, Del., promotes sportsmanship within the Hockessin Soccer League. His ability to motivate and encourage each child to their fullest potential helps players develop. Garbowski's ability to personally connect with his Under-9 players eases their nervousness on the field. The players are coached to improve their soccer skills and be competitive. They have participated in the Kohl's US Youth Soccer American Cup for two years to expand their playing experiences and have fun. Garbowski has coached girls soccer for over six years. In addition to regularly scheduled practices and games, he holds extra practices and a kicking workshop for players.

 

Region II – Scott Howard, Topeka, Kan.
Scott Howard, of Topeka, Kan., coaches Under-7 and Under-8 Girls in the Sunflower Soccer Association. He believes the real winner is the one who tried their hardest, persevered and enjoyed the sport. Howard's innate optimism makes you want to be a better person after spending time with him. He is diplomatic, easygoing, sociable and peaceable. To inspire his players, he organizes a night to watch a local university soccer team play. The team gets to the field early to get first row seats and watch the team warm up and interact with the older players. Howard also serves as treasurer on the board of trustees.

 

Region III – Ken Hays, Cary, N.C.
Ken Hays, of Cary, N.C., began a Captain of the Week program for young recreational players. The designated player wears the captain's arm band, assists with practice drills and meets the opponent's head coach before a game to introduce themself and shake hands. His goal is to continue to provide a positive environment for children on and off the soccer field. Hays has been coaching for five years at CASL and has moved into the role of vice chair of the recreational division. To improve his coaching, Hays participates in CASL's ongoing, informal coaching education and player development clinics.

 

Region IV – Kurt Grevstad, Seattle, Wash.
Kurt Grevstad, of Seattle, Wash., has been coaching within the Magnolia Soccer Club for 10 years. Last year, Grevstad coached three teams (one Under-14 and two Under-12 Girls teams) which led him to hold a two team, 31 girl practice that resembled soccer camp twice a week. He measures success as a coach by how many players return each year, and by this standard he has been very successful. Grevstad has 40 years of playing experience and regularly attends coaching training courses. Through his leadership, his club has sponsored USSF "E" and "D" License clinics each year. Grevstad holds a USSF "C" License.

 

Kristen Saccomano, of Edgewater Park, N.J., teaches and coaches in Camden, N.J., a city that consistently ranks among the top most dangerous cities in the nation. Her team in the Camden Youth Soccer Club provides an outlet for the children where they learn sportsmanship, soccer skills, lessons in friendship, respect and kindness. The children Saccomano coaches exhibit camaraderie and confidence. To improve player development, Saccomano used the information she learned in the National Youth License course to make coaching packets for each age group to provide continuity in training regardless of who is coaching. She also worked on a free soccer camp for children in Camden.

 

Region II – Michael Zovistoski, Mundelein, Ill.
Michael Zovistoski, of Mundelein, Ill., believes in giving players the ability and responsibility to make decisions on the field as opposed to making the decisions for them. Zovistoski's training environment is set up as a fun, challenging and creative one. Most of the exercises are in a small-sided game format that mirrors the decision making opportunities in larger games. He holds a USSF "B" License and has plans to complete his USSF "A" License this year. He also specializes in goalkeeper training. Zovistoski serves as the director of coaching and tournament director for the Eclipse Select Soccer Club and the tournament director for the Greater Libertyville Soccer Association.

 

Region III – Carlos Goncalves, Niceville, Fla.
Carlos Goncalves, of Niceville, Fla., serves as the Emerald Coast United coordinator of player development and coaches an Under-10 Boys recreational team. He has coached in northwest Florida for 10 years and previously was a professional player and youth coach in his native Brazil. Goncalves not only develops his players' technical skills, but also develops their love of the game and confidence in their abilities. He uses the players' strengths to motivate and their weaknesses as a learning tool. He has the right combination of competitive fire, knowledge of the game and genuine concern for his young players. Goncalves has his National Youth License and has been working on his USSF "C" License.

 

Region IV – Shirley Thompson, Tracy, Calif.
Shirley Thompson, of Tracy, Calif., makes her players feel that they have done their best, filling them with self confidence and independence. Thompson has coached for over 20 years and serves as Tracy Youth Soccer Association's league president. She coaches when and where she is needed to help teach the kids gain responsibility, teamwork and a sense of worth to the group. She is a mentor who teaches her teams to walk away from the game with their heads held high, win or lose. Her theory on life is to always make it better for someone else.

US Youth Soccer adidas Coach of the Year - Boys Recreation
2007 | Gary Waltz, California Youth Soccer Association -North

 

US Youth Soccer adidas Coach of the Year - Girls Recreation
2007 | Elizabeth Nordell, Minnesota Youth Soccer Association

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

 

Mark Bragaw, from Vienna, VA, coaches for the Vienna Youth Soccer. Bragaw encourages good behavior and strong teamwork. He provides specific examples of positive sportsmanship for his young players. His practices are structured yet fun to encourage ongoing player development and bring out their full potential. The primary goal is represented by his first question after every game, "Who had fun today?" Even with this playful attitude, each girl learns the skills and tactics that they need to be successful. His players continue to return season after season and more continue to sign on to be part of his team.

 

Elizabeth Nordell, of Duluth, MN, is the head coach of a girls Under-10 team. She has been with the team for four years, moving up from assistant coach. Having fun has always been her top priority in games. It is important that her team wins or loses as gracefully as possible. She is creative and enthusiastic. Elizabeth arranges pick up games, a perk for parents and players, especially when they play each other. She always puts a lot of thought and energy into her practices and games. Her players admire her for being understanding, thoughtful and motivating.

 

Todd Warren, from Jackson, MS, won the Kohl's US Youth Soccer American Cup, the President's Cup and the State Games of Mississippi with the Under-10 girls division of the Jackson Futbol Club in 2007. Warren motivates his players. His players feed off of his enthusiasm in both practices and games. Warren consistently looks for ways to improve his coaching and distributes a new website address or literature on coaching techniques to his assistant coaches on a weekly basis. He also helps new coaches improve their skills.

 

Manish Doshi, from El Cerrito, CA, coaches two recreational girls teams and two highs school teams. He also started a TOPSoccer program in his area and coaches two of teams. He is also the president of the El Cerrito Soccer Club. He obtained his "C" License, his California Youth Soccer Association Goalkeeping License and is a certified referee. Doshi is a supportive coach and works to teach each individual player the skills that needed be successful. His players have learned teamwork and how to maintain positive attitudes. He is an excellent role model to his players and their families.

 

Oscar Rodriguez, from Newark, NJ, has coached for 12 years. In 1996, he helped establish the Just One League, an inner city soccer program. Not only does the program give his players an opportunity to play, but Rodriguez also encourages the participants to contribute to the program when they have completed it. Former players return as coaches, referees and administrators. Rodriguez also arranges coaching and referee education programs for volunteer parents and coaches. He believes in the organization's philosophy that just one person can make a difference. Today the program has nearly 500 children involved.

 

Region II - Davie Opie, West Des Moines, Iowa
David Opie, of West Des Moines, Iowa, has coached for the West Des Moines Soccer Club for nine years with Team Bravo. Dave is a walking model of sportsmanship for his teams and their families. He is most concerned with his team's focus and enthusiasm. He also serves on the club's board of directors and he established the club's Policy and Procedure Manual that is used to train the club's recreational coaches. Also, to push his players and give them more opportunities, Dave arranges for two professionally led practices each season. Each year his players continue to grow and take on new challenges.