USL opens AOM with yearly operational awards USL Hall of Fame Inductions
Published on November 7, 2002 under A-League (A-League) News Release
CLEARWATER, FL â United Soccer Leagues opened its Annual Operations Meeting today with its general session, which included the announcement of its annual operations awards and the inaugural USL Hall of Fame inductions.
"Today was about celebrating the past as we ready ourselves to roll up the sleeves tomorrow in preparation for the 2003 season," said USL President Francisco Marcos. "We have so many things to be proud of ranging from the events of the past year to the history of USL as a whole."
The operational awards presented included each league's Fair Play leader as well as Marketing Excellence, Organization of the Year and Executive of the Year. In addition, USL announced overall awards, recognizing the Montreal Impact as the USL Progress Award winner, the Asheville Splash's Bob Somerville as the Key Grip Award winner and Michael Kennedy as the Referee of the Year. Dave Bolton was honored with the Outstanding Service Award for his yearly efforts in television production for USL. Bolton most recently produced the 2002 season's broadcast package on Fox Sports World.
Receiving the Archie Moylan Award for tremendous courage was former Hershey Wildcats and New England Revolution General Manager Todd Smith, who has battled Leukemia over the past year and is currently awaiting a bone marrow transplant he will undergo soon. Accepting the award on his behalf was longtime friend and former Wildcats coach Bob Lilley.
2002 Operational Awards
USL Progress Award: Montreal Impact
Key Grip Award: Bob Somerville, Asheville Splash
Referee of the Year: Michael Kennedy
Outstanding Service Award: Dave Bolton
Archie Moylan Award: Todd Smith
A-League
Fair Play: Rochester Raging Rhinos
Marketing: Minnesota Thunder
Organization of the Year: Charleston Battery
Executive of the Year: Jim Froslid, Minnesota Thunder
D3 Pro League
Fair Play: Wilmington Hammerheads
Marketing: Utah Blitzz
Organization of the Year: Wilmington Hammerheads
Executive of the Year: Joe Brown, Carolina Dynamo
Premier Development League
Fair Play: Southern California Seahorses
Marketing: Vermont Voltage
Organization of the Year: Thunder Bay Chill
Executive of the Year: Stephanie Keenan, Kalamazoo Kingdom
W-League
Fair Play: Rochester Ravens
Marketing: Hampton Roads Piranhas
Organization of the Year: Charlotte Lady Eagles
Executive of the Year: Rick Kelsey, Arizona Heatwave
Super Y-League
National Organization of the Year: DC United
Regional Organizations of the Year
Florida: Bradenton Jr. Academics
Gulf: Lafreniere Soccer Club
Metro: New York Freedoms
Mid Atlantic: DC United
Midwest: Chicago Magic
New England: Blackwatch Soccer Club
Northern California: DeAnza Soccer Club
Northwest: Okanagan Predators
South Atlantic: CASL
USL HALL OF FAME
United Soccer Leagues inducted the inaugural class into the newly-established Hall of Fame, presented by HOK, one of the world's premier stadium architectural firms. Inducting the honorees was USL President and founder Francisco Marcos along with United States Soccer Hall of Fame President and CEO Will Lunn.
The recipients, who were initially announced last week, were honored in four categories. Franchises that were and have been members of USL for 10 or more years were inducted into the 10+ Club category. Team owners, executives and USL administrators were inducted as Builders. Seven other individuals were honored as Coaches and Players.
Inaugural Class of 2002 USL Hall of Fame Inductees
10+ Club
Albuquerque Geckos, Austin Lone Stars, Carolina Dynamo, Charleston Battery, Charlotte Eagles, Cocoa Expos, Connecticut Wolves, El Paso Patriots, Nashville Metros, Richmond Kickers, Texas Spurs, Vancouver Whitecaps
Builders
Lynn Agee (Nashville Metros), Anthony Bakker (Charleston Battery), Mike Balson (USL, Atlanta Express/Magic/Silverbacks), Joe Brown (Delaware Wizards, Carolina Dynamo), Enrique Cervantes (El Paso Patriots), Francisco Marcos (USL, Austin Sockadillos), Giles Malone (Cocoa Expos), Neil Macpherson (Carolina Dynamo), Pat Parker (USL), Devinder Sandhu (Nashville Metros) and Richard Stottler (Cocoa Expos)
Coaches
Pat Ercoli (Rochester Raging Rhinos), Bob Gansler (Milwaukee Rampage, Kansas City Wizards), Dennis Viollet (Richmond Kickers)
Players
Chris Armas (Long Island Rough Riders, Los Angeles Galaxy, Chicago Fire, US National Team), Charmaine Hooper (Rockford Dactyls, Chicago Cobras, Atlanta Beat, Canadian Women's National Team), Brian McBride (Milwaukee Rampage, Columbus Crew, US National Team), Tony Sanneh (Milwaukee Rampage, Minnesota Thunder, DC United, US National Team)
A-League Stories from November 7, 2002
- USL opens AOM with yearly operational awards USL Hall of Fame Inductions - A-League
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