Club & Volunteer Awards
USA of Indiana Designated Indiana Soccer 5-Star Club in March 2025
"The purpose of the 5 Star Program is to ensure legal compliance, and increase the capacity and quality of member clubs. The association guides Member Clubs to perform with excellence in the fundamental areas to meet the criteria established to earn 'stars' in those areas."
Governance, Alignment, Marketing/Communication, Risk Management, & Education are the five components of this distinction, which marks USA of Indiana as a club committed to upholding Indiana Soccer standards, quality leadership, robust communication, health and safety, and club-wide education.
Learn more about Indiana Soccer's 5 Star Program, including a list of all 5 Star Clubs, here.
USA of Indiana-Affiliated Recipients of Indiana Soccer Awards
2025
Recreational Coach of the Year Finalist
Valerie Dennis - Valerie has been a dedicated volunteer coach for the Community Recreation League for many years. Coach Valerie emphasizes the principle of "everyone plays" during each training session and match. Both players and fellow coaches view her as a role model. Other coaches have often sought her advice, and parents have expressed their appreciation, stating, "She's one of my favorite Rec coaches." One parent remarked, "Coach Val is amazing. She always tries to teach each child individually, as well as in group settings. She incorporates life skills into her practices and discussions with the players.
Youth Manager of the Year Finalist
Bilen "Blaine" Mulugeta - We want to recognize Bilen for her hard work with the 2018-2017-2016-2015 Boys Travel Academy and the USAI 2011B White ISL team. She is the Team Manager for eleven travel teams, including a top U14 ISL team, and four U8, three U9, and three U10 ISL/CNC teams. Bilen spends many hours on tasks like organizing tournaments, sending emails, and assisting at practices and games. She also translates for families in African languages and Spanish and helps them find resources. Parents rely on her for guidance, and she is always ready to help with enrollment and volunteering. She helps parents enroll and sign up to volunteer.
Young Male Referee of the Year Award
Fernando Flores - Fernando grew up in Speedway, Indiana, playing soccer since he was nine years old. He loved the game and continued playing through college, where he decided to pursue a career in sports. In 2022, he became a USSF licensed official. Although he didn't expect to go far in this path, he was motivated by the feedback he received after each game and wanted to improve by learning from top referees. Now, Fernando truly enjoys being a referee and aims to become one of the best in the state. Currently, he is a certified USSF and IHSAA soccer referee and hopes to earn NISOA and ECSR licenses in the future.
2025
Hall of Fame Inductee
Ray Gaddis - Gaddis, a North Central High School alum and member of the Indy Burn 1990 Eagles (now known as USA of Indiana), played collegiately at West Virginia University before being selected 35th in the 2012 MLS Super Draft by Philadelphia. He was recognized by earning the 2012 NAACP Image Award for Male Athlete of the Year. In August 2018, Gaddis became the Union's all-time leader in minutes played after a home win against New England Revolution. Gaddis appeared in 227 matches for Philadelphia, concluding his career with Cincinnati in 2024. Gaddis was the 2020-2021 recipient of the Jerry Yeagley Award for Exceptional Personal Achievement from the United Soccer Coaches. Read more.
Hall of Fame Inductee
Matthew Hedges - Hedges, a Carmel High School graduate, and member of the Indy Burn 1990 Eagles (now known as USA of Indiana), is a professional soccer player who currently plays as a center back for MLS side Austin FC. Hedges is considered one of the better defenders in the MLS since being drafted 11th in 2014 Super Draft for FC Dallas. He earned MLS Best IX honors in 2015 and 2016, while winning the MLS Defender of the Year Award in 2016. Hedges made his United States Men's National Team debut on February 8, 2015, against Panama. He was selected for the USMNT squad for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup winning team. Overall, Hedges won a US Open Cup; MLS Supports' Shield; earned 5 USMNT caps; an NCAA Championship. Read more.
Hall of Fame Inductee
Perry Kitchen - Kitchen, played with the Chicago Magic and the Indy Burn 1990 Eagles (now known as USA of Indiana) prior to moving to Bradenton, Florida for a two-year residency with the USMNT U17 team. A defensive midfielder that was part of the 2010 NCAA Men's Championship team at Akron University. He was the 3rd overall pick in the 2011 MLS Super Draft pick of DC United. Kitchen captained the USMNT U17 team at the 2009 FIFAQ U17 World Cup in Nigeria. He also joined the USMNT U20's as well. His career included 5 USMNT caps; a US Open Cup Championship; participation in the Danish Superliga (Randers) and Scottish (Hearts of Midlothian); serving as a member of the LA Galaxy and Columbus Crew teams. Read more.
2024
Director of Coaching of the Year
Nick Swaim - former USA of Indiana Coach
Hall of Fame Inductee
Isang Jacob - Read more here.
2022
Jay Fredrich Good of Soccer Award
Mike Sanich
Youth Volunteer of the Year
Cary Wagner
Hall of Fame Inductee
Rob Jordan - former USA of Indiana Coach
2020
Male Referee of the Year
Nabil Bensalah
Boys Travel Coach of the Year
Ian Scott
Girls & Boys Rec Coach of the Year
Jasmine Moses
Hall of Fame Inductee
Lori Lindsey - Read more here.
Girls Travel Coach of the Year
Rob Jordan
Theron Smith
2018
Male Referee of the Year
Youssef Elmessoussi
Hall of Fame Inductee
John Carter - Read more here.
Girls & Boys Rec Coach of the Year
Katie Sommers
Boys Travel Coach of the Year
Vangel Nacovski - former USA of Indiana Coach
2017
Boys Travel Coach of the Year
Roberto Cuiriz
Director of Coaching of the Year
Ian Scott
2016
Youth Administrator of the Year
Amber Cremeens
2015
Girls & Boys Rec Coach of the Year
AJ Mcadams
Hall of Fame Inductee
Vince Ganzberg - Read more here
Boys Travel Coach of the Year
Vangel Nacovski - former USA of Indiana coach
Youth Volunteer of the Year
Ana Gallagos-Adams
2014
Young Male Referee of the Year
Nabil Bensalah
Jay Fredrich Good of Soccer Award
Bill Walters
2012
Hall of Fame Inductee
Phil Orlando
2011
Young Male Referee of the Year
Matthew O'Dell
2010
Hall of Fame Inductee
Dan Kapsalis - Read more here
2009
Boys Travel Coach of the Year
Dan Murphy
Youth Manager of the Year
Cathy McGrath
Carson Lifetime Achievement Award
Dave Howard
2008
Young Male Referee of the Year
Brian Malone
Youth Administrator of the Year
Carol Banta
Young Female Referee of the Year
Kiersten Walters
Girls Travel Coach of the Year
PJ Orlando
2007
Jay Fredrich Good of Soccer Award
Juniclei Miranda
Boys Travel Coach of the Year
Isang Jacob
Youth Volunteer of the Year
Roger Lucas
2006
Jay Fredrich Good of Soccer Award
Thomas Geisse
Youth Manager of the Year
Elvira Whitataker
2005
Youth Volunteer of the Year
Terrell Jackson
2004
Young Male Referee of the Year
Daniel Loyal
2003
Male Referee of the Year
Brock Howard
Boys Travel Coach of the Year
Isang Jacob
2001
Young Male Referee of the Year
Nicholas J. Hannah
Girls Travel Coach of the Year
Dr. Tom Davis
1996
Jay Fredrich Good of Soccer Award
Kapsalis Family
1989
Girls Travel Coach of the Year
Rick Robinson