Allison is a 16-year-old 11th grade athlete on the Yorktown High School rowing and swim teams. Since she was 9 years old, in 2017, Allison has been a phenomenal fundraiser for Special Olympics Virginia. She has raised, so far, $82,304 for athletes with intellectual disabilities through participation in Special Olympics Virginia’s annual Polar Plunge held each February. 2017-$2,839, 2018-$8,607, 2019-$11,685, 2020-$15,108, 2021-$15,327, 2022-$15,056, 2023-$13,683. 

Yandel has shown great resiliency over the years. He was born in Germany while I was serving in the military. There were many times I was deployed and could not be there to train or support him like other dads. He never have up. Trained alone many evenings. Eventually he would be scouted by a Bundesliga club and offered a position on their team. Unfortunately, his father’s time came to an end in Germany and we moved to the USA. He would have to start all over again. A new school, friends and soccer. With German being his first language he came in with a positive attitude. He soon joined Austin FC MLS academy and later would move for to San Antonio FC for a chance to train with the defending USL champions. He has taken honors and AP courses and has adapted to the US way of life and will be off to college next year to continue playing soccer.

CJ Carr is a nationally ranked high school quarterback involved with the Elite 11 program. CJ is recognized for his support to the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation, an organization dedicated to finding a cure for pediatric brain cancer. The Carr family first established The ChadTough Foundation in 2015 in an effort to raise money for childhood brain cancer research, with an emphasis on DIPG. As a nationally recognized athlete, CJ has helped raise awareness and research funding for the disease that has impacted his family, carrying forward the legacy of his brother’s enduring spirit, inspiring others to cherish every moment, honor the past, and face the future with resilience and a profound appreciation for life.

Brian serves not only as a coach, but also as a Board member and a volunteer for both Glendale Little League and Glendale Knights (based in Glendale, WI). He has found a passion for coaching and mentoring kids through these baseball programs over the past 7 years our sons have been participating. He takes the time to really get to know and be a support system for all the kids. He devotes hours to bettering himself as a coach (taking training classes and hours of online research/studying) and contributing any help needed to the programs (from grounds help, IT support, fundraising volunteer, post season volunteer, etc). Many parents/kids have repeated told him (and me) that he is a wonderful coach and the kids view him as a trusted adult mentor in their lives. He goes above and beyond to make the kids enjoy their experience, while also helping them develop as players and into good humans. He is always available and is known through the league as the best as breaking in new gloves, repairing broken laces, applying new grip to bats, and providing any other help he can. I believe his work with the leagues has meant as much to him as it has to all the kids and families whose lives he has impacted.

I nominate Coach Jason Brosie for his selfless contribution to the youths of central Texas. Coach Jason has whole heartedly dedicated himself to the development of youth flag football in our Austin community. More importantly he has developed many young girls to be competitive and success in this sport. He is also a great man, husband, father and a great role model for our youths today. Many of hi success include winning the NFL Flag National Championship, NFL Flag regional championships for both girls and boys division, FFFL Champions, Hard Count Tournament Champions and Cowboys Tournament Champions. Recently he coached the 8u girls division to win the largest girls flag football tournament in the nation and won the championship. Coach Jason is more than a coach! He impacts our community in a great way and he continues to develop the youths to become great ambassadors for their families, community and the nation!

Sherese has taken it on herself to start a soccer team for children with special needs. Our son (and many others in our community) wanted to play soccer but were having difficulties with following stated rules and executing specific skills involved with soccer. This team that she started pairs each person with a disability with a buddy and the buddies help them learn and practice skills and rules for soccer. They celebrate one another and feel a sense of community while also getting exercise and companionship. It has been beautiful to watch unfold this past season and we are excited for the coming season! We need more people like Sherese in this world! Thank you! The Shaver family appreciates you!

Sid had been a volunteer member of the soccer community for many years. He coached, sat on the board and for numerous years has support the development of youth referees within our local community and throughout BC. On top of this he, himself travels to tournaments to referee. He is a phenomenal mentor.

When I started at RVC in 2019 I quickly found out my coworker Chris was in need of a new kidney, not immediately but sooner rather than later due to issues steaming from polycystic kidney disease. What I didn’t know and what a lot of other people, including his players on travel and high school, other coaches and parents, didn’t know was how much he juggled trying to stay healthy waiting for a new kidney while also not letting down his players from his high school team and his travel team here at the Richmond Volleyball Club. 

She goes above and beyond to make sure all her races go on without issues. She also works hard with local communities for the races. Making sure race makes the most money for the charity. Other race companies reach out to her for help with their races, that speaks volumes to her character.

Mark Walter is the Race Director of Sun Multisport Events. His events, including the Powisset Farm Trail Race in Dover, MA and Life Goes on After TBI are so well done. All details are considered, race information is really helpful, and events are executed very smoothly. Mark and his family are also truly inspiring. His daughter Maddie suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2015 and years later Maddie and her parents created the organization Life Goes On After TBI. It is a 501(c)3 charity that supports the survivors of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) by fundraising, educating and distributing grants to help offset the expense of treatments and therapies that support a TBI survivor’s recovery journey. This year they held the inaugural “Life Goes on Foot and Paw Trail Run” in Medfield. Just like the Powisset Farm races, it was an excellent event. Mark and his family are really amazing!

Joe Moreno, affectionately known as the Marathon Man, has been the driving force behind the TBK Quad Cities Marathon and numerous other prestigious race events across the Midwest. Joe’s journey began with a vision, and he transformed it into a reality. Quad Cities Marathon, founded by Joe, stands strong today, drawing thousands of passionate runners year after year. But it’s not just about races; it’s about creating a sense of community, inspiring individuals to push their limits, and fostering the spirit of healthy competition. Joe’s dedication to the sport is unwavering. He’s not just a race director; he’s a motivator, an encourager, and a beacon of inspiration for runners of all levels. Joe paves the way for countless individuals to achieve their personal best.

As the Director of Baseball Technology and Video for the Minnesota Twins, Sean’s impact is undeniable. His journey has been one of transformation. Sean has played a pivotal role in advancing video and analytics technology throughout the Twins organization. His dedication has empowered pitchers and players, offering them innovative technologies that elevate their game to new heights. Sean’s leadership goes beyond titles; it’s about driving progress and redefining the future of baseball through data-driven insights. In the intersection of technology and sports, Sean Harlin’s contributions have fundamentally transformed our approach to the game.

Nicole works harder than any other individual at SCCYSA. She works around the clock every day to do everything that needs attention, is always looking for ways to grow and improve the League and ALWAYS puts the player’s above all else. I do not know a more dedicated and under appreciated/under recognized person working in youth sports.

Kreig took on the role of Baseball and Softball Director in the Spring of 2022 and has turned the park completely around. Our park went from 130 something kids to around 250 each season in 2023. Since January of this year he has volunteered more than 500 hours at the park not including coaches meetings and many calls from parents and coaches. Not only is he the director but coach as well. There isn’t a face at our park that doesn’t know Coach Kreig, he is always present and available! He has established and maintained a zero conflict policy that protects the kids, parents, coaches and especially umpires. He has coordinated wih our local high school to include the high school baseball, softball and national honor society in volunteering with our park. Kreig has truly created a safe environment for the youth of our community to learn and grow in a sport they can love. He has done all of this while working a full time demanding job and helping raise his three beautiful daughters, that all play the sport! If anyone deserves a nomination, it’s Coach Kreig.

Brandie does it all.

She tirelessly works to make sure all the girls in our community have a great place to play. While Brandie’s official position is “treasurer”, she also: organizes fundraising; schedules umpires; builds our game schedules; maintains our practice schedules; runs the concession stand. The list could go on forever.

Suffice to say, Brandie picks up the slack anywhere she finds it, and does so with a smile. She never looks to be in the spotlight, just looking for ways to make our program better for our girls.

She is a true leader, and leads by example of hard work.

Jacque is a huge part of our organization. She is our longest serving active board member ( 6+ years) as a volunteer holding multiple roles throughout the years. Jacque led our recreational soccer program for approximately 650+ kids per year. She has continued to serve as our board secretary and was most recently willing to serve as the treasurer when the previous board member stepped away. This is a critical position to any organization so having someone that is trustworthy, knowledgeable, committed, and willing to serve so diligently as a volunteer speaks volumes about her character! Jacque has shown this continuous support to our organization even while her children have been out of the program for almost 4 years. While unrelated to our soccer organization, Jacque also serves as a board member and leader for a backpack food distribution organization for school aged kids in need. Jacque also plays an active role in her children’s school PTO as well. Jacque truly is our MVP and makes our area better! I hope you will consider recognizing her for her contributions to our local soccer organization and broader community.

Both Lori Garcia and Tammy Hlebec are an integral part of our UFA Community. Lori as our Marketing Director, and Tammy as our Finance Director are unsung heroes and are so deserving of recognition.
Registrars, Directors, Coaches, etc. work diligently to get the kids registered and eligible to play in the first games, and there is a great sense of accomplishment in that opening weekend. However, do we take the time to thank Marketing for the role they play in growing our programs, or thank Finance for getting us our paychecks? I know that I, myself, do not say thank you enough, so I wanted to use this form to say how very much we appreciate them EVERY single day. We could not operate without them, and they are true UFA heroes! Lori and Tammy, thank you immensely for all you do to support our UFA players, parents, staff, community and our Club.

Dee has been running elite basketball programs for over a decade with multiple organizations. Her dedication to running top quality programs and providing opportunities to players is exemplified in the successful operation of many highly sought after basketball circuits like the National Junior and Senior circuit, the Platinum Circuit, and most recently, a new chapter of the JUEL of Ontario program. The JUEL program offers opportunities for everyone, regardless of their financial status. Her dedication to providing opportunities is demonstrated everyday.

Jessica runs the Challenger League of which my daughter has participated the last couple years. The amount of time and energy that Jessica selfishly puts into running these games for the kids who wouldn’t be able to play if they didn’t happen, is incredible. She is so selfless, kind and inclusive. Sport in Bend is a better place because she is here.

I’m nominating Laura Hall because she’s been such a solid foundation for the Milwaukie Soccer Club (recreational club) these past few years acting as President. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our club in Milwaukie, Oregon nearly fell apart as kids couldn’t play and other volunteers weren’t able to help carry it along. Laura almost single-handedly managed the Club through those extremely challenging times, and has since rebuilt the volunteer board of directors, recruited more volunteers to a variety of roles, and has continued to strengthen relationships with families and the larger community. As a small club (approx 225 players), being Club President means being a jack-of-all-trades, taking on thankless tasks like stepping in as registrar, scheduling fields, recruiting coaches and so much more.

Five years ago, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada had no all-female hockey association where girls could play together year after year and enjoy female team camaraderie & friendships. Ian Fleetwood took it upon himself to make sure Victoria would become one of the best and biggest female hockey associations in B.C. Because of his relentless drive and wonderful creativity, we now have 316 girls on 19 teams starting our 5th season of hockey operations. We expect to grow to 400 athletes before the season ends because of our strong focus on making hockey fun, affordable, and open to girls of every ability. We have girls starting hockey well into their teens and every player is supported by the hard working board of directors Ian has pulled together. In a short span of time, our association has trained new coaches (female & male), developed our female officiating crew, enjoyed annual year end banquets, provided scholarships for graduating players going on to university, and last season we were honored to be selected as the “BC Hockey Minor Hockey Association of the Year”. All of this can be credited to Mr. Ian Fleetwood and his sacrifice of time and energy to start, sustain and grow the association.

I am thrilled to nominate Mechelle for the esteemed Stack MVP Award. As the founder of TrackGirlz her unwavering dedication and selflessness have undeniably impacted women’s Track and Field significantly. Through her tireless support and remarkable leadership, Mechelle has uplifted countless athletes and inspired a generation of aspiring young women to pursue their dreams fearlessly.

Mechelle’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and empowering environment within the track and field community is unparalleled. Her efforts have propelled women’s Track and Field to new heights, broken down barriers, and shattered stereotypes. She has played a pivotal role in leveling the playing field, ensuring female athletes receive the recognition and opportunities they deserve.

 Jeff Johnson has owned and operated Seacoast Youth Flag Football League since 2007. In that time he has grown the league from his backyard to 14 districts across two states. Jeff’s work growing Seacoast to a multisport organization as well with RAGE Softball has created countless play opportunities for young athletes in New England.

Logan has been a tremendous partner of Stack Sports for nearly 2 years. He is the founder of the Dallas Patriots, a select baseball organization in Dallas Texas. Logan epitomizes what it means to be a great leader and friend. He puts the kids first in everything he does and together with Stack is helping grow the game of baseball!

Adam selflessly volunteers so much time to our organization. He created and automated database for recording each member’s Towns they have run, it can be sorted in numerous way, showing which towns are needed, when/where the races are, etc. He often videos races with commentary and interviews participants and posts on our Facebook page, helping all the members get to know one another and cheer for one another. He is creating a database for another State, also on a volunteer basis. He is a friend to all (and we have a very large community…in the thousands). A recovered gambling addict, he is a powerful voice for using healthy outlets to overcome addictions. There is so much more he does for our group, too many things to list!

Devinder has been a selfless advocate for soccer in middle Tennessee. His passion for the sport over the past 40+ years have directly contributed to the growth of the game at all levels. Every season he lines fields, moves goals from available playing locations, and even mows fields to continue the accessibility of the game for all.

I am thrilled to nominate Michayla Sims for her exceptional dedication and selflessness as an outstanding 5th grade boys football team mom volunteer. Michayla consistently goes above and beyond, showcasing her unwavering commitment to the team’s success.

One of the most admirable qualities of Michayla is her willingness to help in any way possible. She goes the extra mile by spending her own money to ensure that the boys have everything they need for the team’s success. Whether it’s purchasing equipment or providing necessary supplies, Michayla’s generosity knows no bounds.

Andrew wears so many hats at the Rebels it is impossible to just chose one.

Andrew has been responsible for our Junior program for the last ten years, and even when he officially stepped down from the co ordinator role he was still there week in and week out doing the job to help out.

He’s a fantastic coach, not only of the juniors but also of our new, never played before senior players. He’s my go to person for introducing newbies to the game.

He’s patient and kind and explains techniques and how to play in a simple but informative matter. He lives and breathes baseball and loves the game and that comes across in the way he teaches it.

Prior to launching our inaugural NFL Flag season, Jeff, a retired sports broadcast engineer with Fox Sports, created the MOV2GO Network for the purpose of teaching local high school kids the art of sports broadcasting, and allowing them to earn college credit from the University of Akron.

His teams coverage of our 9u and 12u NFL Flag Leagues has elevated our league like no other. The exposure that he has brought to our little community and the cinfidence that he has instilled in the kids is like nothing any of us have ever experienced.

In 2022, JT Batson took the helm as CEO and Secretary General of US Soccer, and with him, he brought a lifelong love and unwavering passion for the beautiful game to the national stage. JT’s journey through soccer has been all-encompassing. His fingerprints are on every facet of the sport, and his leadership within US Soccer stands as a testament to his dedication. But what truly sets him apart is his visionary approach to developing world-class players, coaches, and referees. He spearheaded the creation of the US Soccer Development Fund, leaving an indelible mark on the future of American soccer.

For nearly half a century, Michael has been the driving force behind positive change in the world of sports volunteering. As President of AYSO, he’s been instrumental in fostering the growth of youth soccer nationwide, impacting players, coaches, and referees alike. Michael’s approach is rooted in a philosophy that makes soccer more than just a game. It’s about family, inclusivity, and creating a space where every child can thrive. His dedication has led to increased enrollment and participation, giving countless youngsters the opportunity to experience the joys of soccer and teamwork. In a world where true leaders lead by example, Michael’s unwavering commitment shines as a beacon of hope.