US Youth Soccer Announces 2015 TOPSoccer Coach of the Year Regional Award Winners
National winner to be named at the US Youth Soccer Awards Gala. Live announcement will also be posted on Twitter: @USYouthSoccer.
Youth Soccer News: US Youth Soccer’s regional winners of the 2015 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Coach of the Year award is an extraordinary honor and is awarded to the TOPSoccer Coach who show leadership and support while assisting, guiding, directing and teaching the game of soccer and its skills while creating a fun learning experience.
US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with disabilities.
The national TOPSoccer Coach of the Year will be announced at the US Youth Soccer Awards Gala on Friday, Jan. 15, at 7:30 p.m., as part of the US Youth Soccer Workshop in Baltimore, held in conjunction with the NSCAA Convention.
Brief bios of the regional winners are below based on the submitted nomination forms:
Region I – Ed DeMulder – Williston, Vt.
Ed DeMulder started the Essex, Vt., TOPSoccer program nine years ago with a handful of volunteers, about 20 players and 30 buddies. He travels to local high schools to promote TOPSoccer, speaks to players and explains the commitment of the program — which has led to having students on waiting lists hoping to become a buddy. The program now features 50 players and 90 buddies, and DeMulder spends countless hours teaching special needs children how to play soccer and believe in themselves.
Region II – Tom Keller – West Chester, Ohio
After reading an article on the program, Tom Keller joined Cincinnati TOPSoccer. He coaches the youngest players in the program and also stepped into a director role, in which he organizes seasons, recruits volunteers and helps with instruction. Despite not having a child in the program, Keller treats all of the kids as his own while ensuring the program continues to thrive — creating a welcome environment for players, buddies and parents to enjoy the game.
Region III – Jim Carr – Hendersonville, Tenn.
In 2013, Jim Carr started Tennessee Stars TOPSoccer to provide a fun activity for his friend’s son with disabilities. The program now includes 12 players and counting, and Carr continues to promote the program to attract more players and volunteers. He also coaches high school soccer, and his players enjoy coming out to be buddies, as Carr makes sure all TOPSoccer players feel engaged and welcome each time they play the game.
Region IV – Ken Dandrea – Yorba Linda, Calif.
Ken Dandrea became involved in TOPSoccer in 1991 as a parent and volunteered to coach in 1993. Because of his commitment to provide quality coaches to TOPSoccer players, Dandrea took on the role of TOPSoccer Educational Instructor. He has been instrumental in promoting TOPSoccer in his state and region, and he continues to provide a place for kids to develop not only skills on the field, but life skills that can be used every day.
The US Youth Soccer Workshop will take place in Baltimore from Jan. 13-17, 2016. The annual Workshop will be held at the Baltimore Convention Center in conjunction with the NSCAA Convention. The week is designed to further the education of coaches, administrators, referees and enthusiasts involved in the game. US Youth Soccer – “The Game for ALL Kids!®” is the largest youth sports organization in the country and largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, and over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers in 55 member State Associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players.
