What is it?
This award is the most prestigious award bestowed on a Kansas Youth Soccer Member can receive during a given seasonal year. It is presented by the Kansas State Youth Soccer Association President and Executive Director to an individual(s) who serves with integrity, honor, humor and humility. They have demonstrated a lifetime of dedication to coaching, administrating, refereeing, and educating young participants in a youth soccer community within the state of Kansas. They have made significant contributions to youth participants on and off the field by instilling the principlesof good sportsmanship, development of the participant, and promotion of the game of soccer within Kansas. The recipient and the immediate members of their family will be the guest of honor at the Kansas Youth Soccer Awards Gala.
The first ever recipient of the award is Mr. Francisco “Frank” X. Alonso, Manhattan High School Head Coach and Sporting Kaw Valley Club Coach, for his decades of service to developing soccer in Manhattan, Kansas at all levels and impacting the lives of thousands of player until his passing on November 4, 2018 at the young age of 52. He will be missed by many but his legacy on soccer within Kansas will now live on forever.
2025: Pam Gnoza – Sporting Blue Valley
2024: Abdu Durar – Sporting Kaw Valley
2023: Patricia Monaghen – Northeast United FC
2022: Lori Hamel – WRSA
2019: Ernesto Alcantara – Wichita, Kansas
2018: Frank X. Alonso – Manhattan, Kansas