Albion SC’s Marcus Norris Earns 2015 Cal South Player of the Year
In the United States, several sports leagues celebrate their most valuable player with a Player of the Year award. Cal South is the US Youth Soccer association for Southern California and is in one of, if not the most, competitive area for youth soccer in the country. Earning the 2015 Cal South Player of the Year is an amazing accomplishment and reflects an extremely high level of performance, dedication, passion, skill and soccer IQ.
The Cal South Awards Banquet presented by Sports Authority honored and celebrated the incredible accomplishments of its members and volunteers on Saturday, March 21, 2015.
“Our annual Awards and Hall of Fame Dinner is our way of recognizing the tremendous work and invaluable contribution made by our volunteers, players, coaches, and administrators,” said Derek Baraza, President and Chairman of Cal South.
For his exceptional performance in 2014, this year’s Cal South Player of the Year was Albion SC Goalkeeper, Marcus Norris. Albion SC is well-known across America for developing high-level youth soccer players. Albion’s Executive Director Noah Gins is exceptionally proud of Norris and all his hard work to earn this special recognition.
Norris has played for Albion SC since 2012 and has been a Cal South ODP participant since 2009 and in the Region IV ODP player pool. Being goalie demands great coordination, attention to detail and leadership. Norris’ performance on the field is a clear demonstration that he possesses these important traits.
“Marcus Norris is a player that has showed great passion, commitment and desire to play the highest level possible. He has had his ups and downs in youth soccer and handles himself in a very positive way,” said Steve Hoffman, Director of Coaching Education and Player Development for Cal South. “I always say “how you handle mistakes is what defines you as a player” that’s what makes Marcus a special player.”
“Marcus is a very special and unique athlete. He has incredible abilities in the goal and has endless potential towards reaching the next level,” said Noah Gins, Executive Director for Albion SC. “Marcus has been extremely loyal and committed to Albion SC and it has fully paid off. We have been very dedicated to getting Marcus to the college level and the fact that he is going to Santa Clara University we are very pleased.”
A senior at Helix Charter High School, Norris has signed and will be attending Santa Clara University on a soccer scholarship in the fall.
“I chose Santa Clara because of the academic excellence, the graduation rate, and the hire rate upon graduation,” said Norris. “Santa Clara has a great environment and the soccer program has a history of excellence. It is located in the Silicon Valley near family and friends.”
Norris tweeted the day after the Cal South Awards Banquet, “Last night was one to remember”.
“Marcus is a great goalkeeper with amazing athletic and goalkeeping ability. He has showcased himself very well over the years and we look forward to seeing him continue to progress as a goalkeeper through college and beyond,” said Wayne Crowe, Director of Soccer & Development Director for Albion SC.
Player of the year is really an honor and Cal South chose Marcus Norris (Male) and Sunny Dunphy (Female) for the awards this year.
In the highly competitive area of Southern California, the Cal South 2015 Player of The Year award is a real celebration of the hard work of the individual player as well as those who have coached him or her develop. Congratulations to Norris, Dunphy and their coaches/clubs.
