Karen Wright of Oregon honored at Awards Gala

BALTIMORE (Jan. 15, 2016) — Karen Wright of Carlton, Ore., was honored as the 2015 US Youth Soccer Volunteer of the Year award recipient Friday night at the US Youth Soccer Awards Gala, held in conjunction with the 2016 US Youth Soccer Workshop at the NSCAA Convention in Baltimore.

Hilary Kennedy, host of The US Youth Soccer Show, set the stage for the night as the master of ceremonies for the more than 1,000 in attendance. Boys and Girls Recreation and Competitive Coaches of the Year, Administrator of the Year, Young Referee of the Year, Goal and Save of the Year, TOPSoccer Buddy and Coach of the Year, the Dr. Thomas Fleck Award, and the US Youth Soccer Hall of Fame inductees were honored, as well.

Karen Wright founded the Yamhill Carlton Soccer Club in 2010 and has helped it grow from 14 players to 187. She not only volunteers, but promotes it within the community — leading to 100 committed volunteers logging more than 4,000 hours in 2014. Wright’s work isn’t limited to the field, as she is a leader in the community, where she spends countless hours advancing the game by seeking out opportunities for herself and those around her.

The recipient of the Volunteer of the Year award is selected by the US Youth Soccer Board of Directors. The Volunteer of the Year award honors those who are excellent role models for their community. Willingness to promote players and soccer, sound moral and ethical character and increasing the opportunities to participate in soccer are all characteristics of nominees for the Volunteer of the Year award.

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.