Those to receive the 2018 Long-Term Service awards for youth, high school and college soccer from the United Soccer Coaches are now known, these are given each year to members who have shown a career of giving at their respective levels of the game while continuing a high level of service to the association. Jan. 11 @ their annual convention, the awards are being bestowed upon these three.
Ralph Polson will get the Bill Jeffrey College Long-Term Service Award. Being a member since 1983 Ralph just completed his 11 year at the helm of Wofford University, his 27th as a head coach and 38th overall in the collegiate ranks. In both USC & the NCAA he has serve in many a leadership role, Ralph retired this year, announcing it last week. For 6 years on the USC Board of Directors, President in 2012, he now is a member of the USC Coaches Board of Directors Advisory Council, Chairs the Senior College Men's All-American Committee & the NCAA Men's & Women"s Socccer Playing Rules Committee. In 2016 he was honored with a USC Letter of Commendation.
Matri Coan, is receiving the Robert W Robinson high School Long-Term Service Award, since 1990 a member of USC and vital to soccer in WI, she has been on the Board of WI Soccer Coaches Assoc. 3x the pres. This past president of the Neenah Soccer CLub was honored with entry to the WI Soccer Hall of Fame in 2017. Three decades of coaching experince are now completed from Oshkosh N HS varsity girls, jv boys, Lawrence U HC of the women's team, & asst. men's, quite a list. Stints on USC Coaches Board of Directors with 2 years as Regional Rep. and a decade as the Girl's HS Rep. Other USC involvments include Coaches Convention Committee, co chairing the HS Coaches Breakfast while gaining an USC Coaches Letter of Comendation at last years event.
Armand "Bob" Dikranian, receivng the Charlotte Moran Youth Long-Term Service Award, until now I had no idea since the early 80's that Bob was not his given first name. From 1981-'84 he led the CT Boy's OPD, then was their coaching advisor 1985-'88. More then 10 years at South Central Premier SC as their DOC and he now is on the Region 1 Staff with a USSF A License and National youth License he is in 5 Halls of Fame, including the first for the CT Soccer HOF. Since 1967 a member of USC, he began the hallowed soccer progam at Southern CT, in 21 years collecting 227 victories, 8 NCAA Final Fours, and the national title in 1987 all this and more lead to his induction in the USC Coaches HOF in 2013.