TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues took time out from its 2011 AGM tonight to honor its outstanding teams and individuals at the USL Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner at the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa.
The evening opened with speeches from USL CEO Alec Papadakis, Umbro USA’s Jerry Alleco and USL President Tim Holt. It continued with a 2011 season highlights video presentation, followed by the induction of nine new members into the USL Hall of Fame, which has been divided into Men’s, Women’s and MISL wings.
Inductees included: Kyle Krause of the Des Moines Menace (Men’s HOF, Builder), David Irving of the Wilmington Hammerheads (Men’s HOF, Coach), Tim Schweitzer of the Northern Virginia Majestics (Women’s HOF, Builder), Lee Horton of the Charlotte Lady Eagles (Women’s HOF, Coach), Florence Omagbemi of the Hampton Roads Piranhas (Women’s HOF, Player), Christine Sinclair of the Vancouver Breakers and Vancouver Whitecaps Women (Women’s HOF, Player), Edwin Hale Sr. of the Baltimore Blast (MISL HOF, Builder), Keith Tozer of the Milwaukee Wave (MISL HOF, Coach), and Tatu of the Dallas Sidekicks and Wichita Wings (MISL HOF, Player).
Finally, USL also honored its clubs and teams for their success on and off the field, honoring the Super Y-League and Super-20 League First 11 and rewarding excellence in USL PRO, the W-League and the PDL.
USL Organizational & Executive Honors
USL PRO
Regular Season Champions: Orlando City Fair Play: Charlotte Eagles Marketing: Orlando City Communications: Harrisburg City Islanders Betsy McAdams Key Grip Award: Whitney Woods, Charleston Battery Executive of the Year: Bill Rudisill, Wilmington Hammerheads Rookie Franchise of the Year: Wilmington Hammerheads USL Progress Award: Pittsburgh Riverhounds Organization of the Year: Orlando City
PDL Regular Season Champions: Fresno Fuego Fair Play: Mississippi Brilla Marketing: Fresno Fuego Communications: Reading United AC Betsy McAdams Key Grip Award: Adam Small, Des Moines Menace Executive of the Year: John Marrello, Thunder Bay Chill Rookie Franchise of the Year: Hamilton FC USL Progress Award: Victoria Highlanders Organization of the Year: Fresno Fuego
W-League
Regular Season Champions: Ottawa Fury Fair Play: Dayton Dutch Lions; Long Island Rough Riders Marketing: Vancouver Whitecaps Communications: Santa Clarita Blue Heat Betsy McAdams Key Grip Award: Rachel Singer, Santa Clarita Blue Heat Executive of the Year: Tim Schweitzer, Northern Virginia Majestics & D.C. United Women Rookie Franchise of the Year: D.C. United Women USL Progress Award: Santa Clarita Blue Heat Organization of the Year: Ottawa Fury
