Texas’ Hailey Murin and Arizona’s Benjamin Davis honored at Awards Gala

BALTIMORE (Jan. 15, 2016) — The recipients of the 2015 US Youth Soccer Young Referee of the Year award were announced tonight at the US Youth Soccer Awards Gala, held in conjunction with the 2016 US Youth Soccer Workshop at the NSCAA Convention in Baltimore. The national US Youth Soccer Young Referee of the Year award winners are Hailey Murin of Mansfield, Texas, and Benjamin Davis of Tucson, Ariz.

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, Volunteer of the Year, Goal and Save of the Year, TOPSoccer Buddy and Coach 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.

Hailey Murin is a referee who is open to feedback and making adjustments to become a better official each time she steps on the field. She is positive and upbeat, and her high school soccer coach described her as a strong leader who sets a good example for underclassmen. Aside from being a Grade 7 referee, Murin has helped prepare holiday food boxes at a local mission and has been an active volunteer at her church.

Benjamin Davis has been refereeing since 2008. He is currently a Grade 7 referee and has worked nearly 300 games, including US Youth Soccer Arizona State Cup and US Youth Soccer Region IV Championship matches. Davis knows it is important to continue learning as a referee and accepts advice from higher officials he meets at events. He makes sure to pass along that knowledge while providing guidance and support as a mentor for younger referees.

Recipients of the Young Referee of the Year awards are selected by the US Youth Soccer Board of Directors based on their strong work ethic, knowledge of the rules of the game and service as positive role models.

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.