ANNUAL AWARDS
The VYSA strives to recognize individuals who go above and beyond for youth soccer.
2023-2024 VYSA ANNUAL AWARD WINNERS
Recent Awardees
2025 USYS Regional Winners
The following individuals have been recognized by US Youth Soccer for the contributions to the game on the regional level. Congratulations!
Regional Administrator of the Year
Nan Beck, Chesapeake United Soccer Club
Regional and National Girls Competitive Coach of the Year
Roger Friedman, Burke Athletic Club
2025 Hall of Fame Inductees
Each year, at the Virginia Youth Soccer Association Awards Gala, the Virginia-DC Soccer Hall of Fame honors soccer heroes with ties to Virginia and Washington D.C. Congratulations to the following inductees to be recognized at the 2025 VYSA Awards Gala.
Class of 2025
Alexandra “Ali” Krieger, Player
Danny Karbassiyoon, Player
Mark Dolansky, Meritorious Service
William “Bill” Lanza Sr., Meritorious Service
George Lidster, Meritorious Service
Osman “Ossie” Orlando, Meritorious Service
2024 Hall of Fame Inductees
Class of 2024
Trip Ellis, Player
Kristin Stannard, Player
Claire Zimmeck, Player
Lula Bauer, Meritorious Service
John Schlenker, Meritorious Service
Frank Gorman, Sr., Veteran
2023 Hall of Fame Inductees
Class of 2023
Janet Caswell, Player
David Stokes, Player
Brian Ahearn, Meritorious Service
Doug Engstrom, Meritorious Service
Peter Mehlert, Meritorious Service
Chris Norris, Meritorious Service
Colin Calvert (Posthumously), Veteran
More Information
View the ‘Archived Awardees’ Tab for more information on past year award recipients.
Adele Dolansky Award
This award is the highest award bestowed on a VYSA member. It is presented by the Virginia Youth Soccer Association in recognition of exemplary service to the soccer-playing youth of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia. This award is selected by the VYSA President in consultation with Adele Dolansky. No Nominations for this award are accepted.
Previous Award Recipients
1996 Adele Dolansky
1997 Larry Monaco
1998 Mavis Derflinger and George Towner
1999 Len Oliver and August Wooter
2000 Dean Jones
2001 Jim Down
2002 Simon Cargill
2003 Brenda Down
2004 Anne Thompson
2005 Martin Hooker
2006 Tom Halstead
2007 Karen Knott
2008 Gary Allen
2009 John “Mac” McLaughlin
2010 Bob Maynes
2011 J. Marcelo Gangotena
2012 Paul Mungra
2013 Debi Honaker
2014 Robert Perry
2015 Julie Caramanica
2016 Ed Bonilla
2017 Barry Finkelstein
2018 Pat Delaney
2019 Karen Klumpp and George Vergara
2020 Cathy Mann
2021 Gordon Miller
2022 Ann Germain
2024 Eric Highsmith
2025 John Schlenker
Dave Williams Memorial TOPSoccer Service Award
Dave Williams’ hard work, enthusiasm, and big heart helped grow the VYSA TOPSoccer program from just a few clubs to the many that now participate. His commitment and dedication to VYSA players with disabilities were exemplary.
In honor of Dave Williams’ efforts and results of his hard work, the state association established the Dave Williams Memorial TOPSoccer Exemplary Service Award. Dave Williams is the first recipient of this award.
The award criteria are as follows:
a. exemplary service to TOPSoccer programs to include program development
b. exemplary service to TOPSoccer athletes and parents
c. minimum of 10 years service prior to nomination
*The absence of a qualified nominee as determined by the VYSA Board of Directors will result in no award winner being named for that year. Any nominees not selected for this award will be eligible for the Volunteer of the Year award.
A memorial plaque listing the names of those selected for this award is kept at the VYSA State Office.
2006 Dave Williams
2007 Ariel Schwartz
2011 Bob Sokolinsky
2012 Sharon Wells
2013 Wes Brownlee
2014 Toby Brown
2016 John Schlenker
2018 Sid Wesseldine
2021 Theodore Renaud
2022 Steve O’Neil
2022 Bob Zadeh
2023 Greg Mitchell
2023 Norina Moy
2024 Boutia Pourhashemi
2024 Betsy Fry
Event Photos
Visit the link below to view event photos from the 2022 VYSA Awards Gala. The annual awards gala honors and celebrates awardees from the previous season.
Awards Archives
Explore the previous year’s award winners in all categories.
2024 Annual Award Winners
Administrator of the Year, Ron Wassertein
Volunteer of the Year, Wayne Shelor
Team Manager of the Year, Pauline Salter
Boys Competitive Coach of the Year, Tom Holland
Girls Competitive Coach of the Year, Donavan Russell
Boys Recreational Coach of the Year, Jason Gill
Girls Recreational Coach of the Year, Emily Jemison
TOPSoccer Coach of the Year, Trisha Knisely
TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year, Owen Shannon
Young Female Referee of the Year, Kayla Romine
Young Male Referee of the Year, Andrew Smith
2023 Annual Award Winners
Administrator of the Year, Nan Beck (CUSC)
Volunteer of the Year, Eric Highsmith
Team Manager of the Year, Tracy Krehbiel (Valley United)
Boys Competitive Coach of the Year, Daynor Garcia (Team America FC)
Girls Competitive Coach of the Year, Roger Friedman (Burke Athletic Club)
Boys Recreational Coach of the Year, Jacob Sahms (Richmond Kickers)
Girls Recreational Coach of the Year, Michael Viala (New River United)
TOPSoccer Coach of the Year, Sean Harrigan (Stafford Soccer)
TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year, Lily Fry (Culpeper Soccer Club)
Young Female Referee of the Year, Morgan Neal (SRP)
Young Male Referee of the Year, Cole Rozwadowski (SRP)
2020 Annual Award Winners
Boys Competitive Coach of the Year, Chris Panayiotou
Girls Competitive Coach of the Year, Gary Malebranche
Boys Recreational Coach of the Year, Eric Tellefsen
Girls Recreational Coach of the Year, John Allison
Administrator of the Year, Susan Simpson
Volunteer of the Year, Tammy Renshaw
Young Female Referee of the Year, Taylor Nicole Lamb
Young Male Referee of the Year, Mathew Ryder
VA/DC Teammate of the Year, Lacey Rousseau
TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year, Evan Bauer
2021 Annual Award Winners
Boys Competitive Coach of the Year, Oscar Feliu
Girls Competitive Coach of the Year, Tom Brown
Boys Recreational Coach of the Year, Meagan Kalchbrenner
Girls Recreational Coach of the Year, Erin East
Administrator of the Year, Melissa Riemer
Volunteer of the Year, Jeff Dramstad
Young Female Referee of the Year, Kayla Emond
Young Male Referee of the Year, Zackery Moss
TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year, Aeshan Kapil