WASHINGTON- DC Soccer Club honored four members with the club’s annual awards on June 15th. The honorees were recognized as a part of the club’s first annual fundraiser, the Futbol Fiesta.
DC Soccer Club’s Futbol Fiesta fundraiser raised money for player scholarship and talent diversification, coach and referee development, and program enhancements for the club while bringing the community together for an end-of-the-year celebration.
Erwin Diaz, Barb Sheehy, Erin Golding, and Brian Brotsos won annual awards given to them for their service to DC Soccer Club and the DC Soccer Club community.
Brian Brotos is involved with the club as a Rec coach, Travel Manager, member of the Parent Advisory Council, and an Age Group Commissioner for the Coed 2nd and Girls 5th divisions. As an Age Group Commissioner Brotos has rostered and created schedules for over 30 teams this past season. Brotos is a big part of the success of the DC Soccer Club Rec Program. DC Soccer Club thanks Brotos for his longtime commitment to the club.
Brian received the John A. Koskinen/DC Soccer Club Volunteer of the Year Award for his service to the club. Established in 1994, the DC Soccer Club Volunteer of the Year award is named in honor of John A. Koskinen, past President of the U.S. Soccer Foundation and a significant contributor to the advancement of youth soccer in the District of Columbia. This award is presented to a member of the club who has dedicated time and resources to the development of players, coaches, and referees throughout the club. The criteria for selection criteria include leadership ability, service to others and commitment to the mission, and educational vision of DC Soccer Club.
Barb Sheehy has been a Travel Manager, Rec Coach, and Futsal coach for several years. Sheehy served as the Age Group Commissioner for the Girls' High School Rec players this past year. Sheehy has an excellent knack for welcoming new players into the club. She regularly welcomes new players onto her team and is committed to including new players in DC Soccer Club. DC Soccer Club thanks Sheehy for her invaluable service to the club.
Sheehy was awarded the Len Oliver/DC Soccer Club Coach of the Year award for her commitment to the club. Established in 1994, the DC Soccer Club Coach of the Year award is named in honor of Len Oliver, former Director of Coaching and member of the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame. It is presented to a volunteer coach who has made significant contributions to children and families through the club’s Recreational soccer program. The criteria for selection include leadership ability, service to others, and commitment to the mission and educational vision of DC Soccer Club.
Erin Golding is a Recreational soccer program coach and involved volunteer for DC Soccer Club. Golding has coached her older daughter's team for five seasons. During that time, she also coached her younger daughter's team for three seasons. As a result of COVID, Golding happily welcomed players from several schools into the club to meet roster minimums, including LAMB, Mundo Verde, and Bancroft. Together these players created a hybrid team, the Teal Tigers. Golding always gets her registrations in well before the deadline, a testament to her commitment to her players and theirs to her. Golding always goes above and beyond, organizing extracurricular activities to boost team building, including attendance at local DC-based professional games. Golding continues to play soccer herself through District Sports. This trifecta of coach, player, and parent truly makes her a Soccer. DC Soccer Club thanks Golding for her commitment to the players in the club.
Golding received the Kelly and Sloane Murray/DC Soccer Club All-Girls’ Recreational Coach of the Year Award for her service to the club. Established in 2009, the DC Soccer Club All-Girls’ Recreational Coach of the Year award is named in loving memory of Kelly and Sloane Murray. This award is presented annually to a volunteer coach who has made significant contributions to the advancement of girls’ soccer in the club’s Recreational soccer program. The criteria for selection include leadership ability, service to others and commitment to the mission, and educational vision of DC Soccer Club.
Erwin Diaz has been with the DC Soccer Club for 12 years and recently received his US Soccer B license. Diaz currently serves as the U9-U12 Boys Age Group Director and coaches DC Soccer Club's Boys U11 and U12 Blue Metros. Diaz has had notable success within the clubs and with the teams he coaches. Recently, Erwin coached the U12 Blue Metros to win the Eastern Regional President's Cup Finals. He brings his teams together on and off the field, creating lifelong friendships and an environment to grow as a player for the boys he coaches. DC Soccer Club thanks Erwin for his significant contributions to the club.
Diaz was awarded the DC Soccer Club’s Travel Coach of the Year Award due to his commitment and success as a member of the club’s Travel Coaching staff. Established in 2004, the DC Soccer Club Travel Coach of the Year award is presented to a travel coach who has made significant contributions to children and families through the club’s Travel soccer program. The criteria for selection include leadership ability, service to others, and commitment to the mission and educational vision of DC Soccer Club.
Greg quote, “We are so thrilled with the success of the Futbol Fiesta at every level. Due to the great involvement of our DC Soccer Club members and friends, our goals were met- we exceeded our expectations. Congratulations to our Annual Award winners, Erwin Diaz, Barb Sheehy, Erin Golding, and Brian Brotos. They are true pillars of our club and their contributions are significant. This event was a success due to an incredible committee of volunteers who poured their hearts and souls into the entire process. Lucie LeBlois, Katie DeGroft, Alysa MacClellan, Cory Levine, Tyson Claure, and Valeria Van Brummelim are gifted individuals who made a great team. Our talented and engaged staff especially Colleen McNickle, Cara Hilliard, and Michelle Alioto made a real difference on a special night for all. Our greatest thanks go to all of the donors, sponsors, participants, coaches, families, and Board members who made this night a true success for the club. You all made a positive difference and due to your generosity, we will now have the opportunity to help more kids, coaches, and referees participate in the beautiful game.”