L'Impact, organisation de l'année ds la a-league

[François]

Teams, Executives honored at USL AOM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday, November 7, 2004

TAMPA, FL -- United Soccer Leagues honored its leading franchises and team executives at its Annual Operations Meeting Thursday night at the Clearwater Beach Hilton, presenting league awards for outstanding performance off the field in 2004 in addition to its Third Annual USL Hall of Fame Induction.

Clubs and individuals were honored at the USL Awards Reception in each league for Executive of the Year, Organization of the Year, Referee of the Year, Fair Play and Marketing Excellence. Additional awards handed out were the Key Grip and Progress Awards.

The Montreal Impact, Charlotte Eagles, Central Florida Kraze and Vancouver Whitecaps Women were honored as the Organizations of the Year with Jim Taylor (Portland Timbers), Tom Engstrom (Charlotte Eagles), Jim Duggan (Michigan Bucks) and Laura Fedrigo (Detroit Jaguars) being recognized as the Executives of the Year.

The Vancouver Whitecaps, Harrisburg City Islanders, Fresno Fuego and Ottawa Fury were given the Marketing Excellence Award while the Richmond Kickers, Charlotte Eagles, Michigan Bucks and West Michigan Edge Women received Fair Play Awards.

David Simon, Guy Goodrich, Afshin Shokoohi and Jason White were named the Referees of the Year.

Des Moines Menace Director of Operations Nate Van Steenvoort was honored with the Key Grip Award, recognizing his tireless efforts behind the scenes. The New Jersey Wildcats were presented the Progress Award.

The Puerto Rico Islanders were the first club to be honored with the Franchise Rookie of the Year Award.

Denver Lady Cougars owner Theresa Echtermeyer was the recipient of the Archie Moylan Award, which was established in memory of Paul ‘Archie’ Moylan to recognize a member of the USL family who has shown great courage or outstanding humanitarianism.

Moylan was one of the founding members of the Reading Rage and while acting as General Manager and Head Coach, he fought a lengthy battle with cancer. He often coached on the sidelines while he battled the disease. His dedication to the sport serves as an inspiration to many in USL and beyond.

Echtermeyer has similarly overcome extreme adversity and continued to give back to the soccer community through her dedication and devotion. She founded the Denver Lady Cougars in 2000, managing every facet of the team’s operations on her own while struggling with a rare heart condition. Her love for the game and her players proved no more poignant than at the 2002 championship banquet when she collapsed and was rushed to the hospital, but overcame the setback to be on the field the next day to coach her team.