MLS D.C. United

United hosts successful Awards Reception

Published on October 25, 2005 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
D.C. United News Release


Washington, D.C. (October 25, 2005) - Last night, at the Marriott at Metro Center in downtown Washington, D.C., United for D.C. hosted the Second Annual United Awards Reception, presented by the DC Sports & Entertainment Commission, honoring the charity's annual community grant winners and awarding the team's individual player awards. Co-emceed by Comcast SportsNet's Dave Johnson and Russ Thaler, the event highlights included United for D.C. awarding a total of $81,500 to six local youth organizations and Christian Gomez taking home the D.C. United's 2005 team MVP award. A fundraiser for United for D.C., the reception raised nearly $25,000 for the foundation's programs and initiatives.

"Last night was a special fundraiser for the team, the charity and the fans," stated Catherine Marquette, Executive Director of United for D.C. and Community Relations Director for D.C. United. "In a celebration of the club's success both on and off the field, the entire D.C. United family came together for a wonderful evening."

The DC Sports & Entertainment Commission served as the presenting sponsor of the event with the Screaming Eagles and Regional Title serving as supporting sponsors. The reception included a cocktail hour, a silent auction and the awards presentation. After an inspiring four minute highlight video, D.C. United announced its 2005 Team Award winners via a trophy presentation: Jaime Moreno (Budweiser Golden Boot), Bobby Boswell (U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year), Nick Rimando (D.C. United Defender of the Year), Brian Carroll (D.C. United Coaches' Award) and Christian Gomez (Honda Team MVP).

Interspersed between each team award, United for D.C. award its various grants, totaling $81,500 divided amongst six different organizations, all of which use the sport of soccer to improve the lives of local disadvantaged youth. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington was awarded $5,000, which will enable Clubhouse #10, located in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C., to purchase new soccer equipment and to expand its current soccer initiative to include more young people across all races and ethnicities.

The Capitol Community Soccer Club was awarded a grant of $5,000 to allow for the Club to expand into four new middle and junior high schools in Washington, D.C. through the provision of team and player equipment, insurance, referees and transportation. Awarded $8,000, the District of Columbia Parks and Recreation will purchase new soccer equipment for its citywide program and will focus efforts specifically on expanding soccer in Wards 5, 6, 7 and 8.

Additionally, the Latin American Youth Center/Columbia Heights Youth Soccer League will use its $7,500 grant to over the costs of referees for all U-9 through U-18 teams operated by the Columbia Heights Youth Soccer League. Awarded $2,000, St. Coletta of Greater Washington, Inc., a future neighbor to RFK Stadium, will use the grant to purchase brand new blue and green soccer uniforms and other soccer equipment to outfit its "St. Coletta United" soccer team, replacing its existing uniforms that are over five years old.

The last two grants of the night were awarded to DC SCORES in the amount of $25,000 and $32,000, respectively. The $25,000 grant supported a seven-week, five-day-a-week camp held at Stanton Elementary School in Ward 8 for fifty young people this past summer. DC SCORES used the $32,000 grant to expand its operations in Ward 8 by adding a third school to this 2005-2006 school year at Moten Elementary School; this grant covers all costs associated with the creative writing and soccer after-school program, including teacher and coach stipends, uniforms and equipment, special events, referees, transportation and more.

The evening was capped off with the recognition of United's Reserve Squad, which recently added another piece of hardware to D.C.'s trophy case by capturing the inaugural Reserve Division championship.

For more information on the Second Annual United Awards Reception and on United for D.C. in general, please contact Catherine Marquette at 202-587-5443 or at cmarquette@dcunited.com.

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