Search Site:

• Players
• Coaches
• Leagues
• Referees

2008 MSYSA Annual Awards

Male Competitve Coach of the Year: Tim Richey     Tim Richey has lived in Michigan since he was only a year old. As a child, he had energy to burn and loved playing with the “ball”, so his mom signed him up for soccer - the first sport available at the Southfield Civic Center. Over the years, his love of the game has strengthened. Now, Tim is a coach with Think Detroit PAL - a program that strives to build character in Detroit's youth through athletic, academic, and leadership development programs. Tim's coaching philosophy mirrors the mission on Think Detroit PAL. He believes that the game is the best teacher, and that coaches (and parents) must remember that the spotlight is not theirs to have. He advises coaches to prepare their team, motivate their players, but ultimately to let the kids play. With this coaching style, Tim's teams have seen much success. But he insists that his greatest achievements have been off the field - watching his players use the skills gained through soccer and becoming better students, family family members, and better people.
Female Competitive Coach of the Year: Miriam Hickey Miriam Hickey, a coach with the Vardar East soccer club, originally hails from the Netherlands.  At age 6, she was one of only two girls allowed to play with boys and quickly honed her skills and love for the game. She came to the United States to play college soccer and quickly ended up coaching collegiate soccer teams. She eventually returned to the Netherlands and coached with the KNVB (Dutch National Soccer Association) for 8 years. Miriam's coaching credentials include the UEFA "B" license and the USSF "A" license. Her coaching philosphy is simple - soccer is about the players. She works hard to develop players during training, but allows them to make their own decisions during the game. Because of that, her teams have learned how to organize themselves and play a controlled passing style game. As a player and coach, Miriam believes that soccer is a good life training tool - it helps teach children teamwork, respect, and the art of winning (and losing) gracefully.
Male Recerational Coach of the Year: Mark Simonich Mark Simonich is a coach with the Huron Valley Soccer Club. He and his wife have four kids, ages 6-13. Like many coaches, Mark got his start when one of kids' soccer teams did not have a coach. He volunteered to coach the team and has the been the coach ever since. He likes soccer because it's a game that anyone, regardless of age or ability, can enjoy. Furthermore, it teaches fitness, teamwork, and respect. As a recreational coach, Mark specifically enjoys the recreational aspect of the game because it promotes family, fun, and sportsmanship. He is happy to let the game be the teacher, and to let the kids learn through making mistakes. He encourages his players to work hard and never stop trying. The parents on his team describe Mark as a role model for the kids, and appreciate the fact that he emphasizes sportsmanship and equal playing time over winning at all costs.
Female Recreational Coach of the Year: Laura McDougall Laura McDougall has been around soccer since the age of 2. Her father was a soccer coach and she spent countless hours watching his games and practices. Finally, when she turned 9, she began playing for her dad's team. Eventually a knee injury ended her playing career, but she decided to follow her father's footsteps and began coaching a U8 in-house team for the Livonia Youth Soccer Club. At one point, Laura coached a boys team from the time they were U9 until they were U19 - and won several division titles and trophies. Currently, Laura coaches a U10 girls team for the Hamburg Soccer Club and hopes to see this team succeed on and off the field as well. Regardless of whether she is coaching boys or girls, Laura strives to keep the game fun for the players. Through the game. she also aims to teach them sportsmanship, teamwork, responsibility, and dependability. As a player, Laura had many great soccer experiences, and now as a coach, she returns the favor by providing great soccer experiences for her players.
Parent of the Year: Laurie Trapp Laurie Trapp is a parent to three soccer-playing, teenage daughters. All three girls started playing soccer when they were 4, and Laurie (like most parents) took a turn bringing snacks, carrying equiment, carpooling kids, and helping the coach. She has never stopped helping, and is now the team manager for the U15 Michigan Rush Nike girls team. As manager, she collects paperwork for team and tournament registration, coordinates and communicates game and practice times, coordinates travel plans for out-of-state games, and acts as a liaison between her team and oter teams, tournaments, and leagues. In addition to team manager, Laurie has volunteered in several other capacities including team treasurer, team travel coordinator, staff volunteer for the inagural Michigan Rush tournament. She loves watching her daughters play soccer, and she loves the lessons that soccer teaches them. She advises other parents to keep things in perspective and cherish these soccer memories rather than spending the time and energy yelling at referees, opposing teams, or opposing coaches.
Administrator of the Year: Madeline Lorence Biography TBA
Volunteer of the Year: Angie Truskowski Biography TBA
2009 Hall of Fame: Dianna Dykstra Dianna Dykstra has been involved in MSYSA for over 20 years, when she first started coaching her son's soccer team. Since then, she has coached at all levels (recreational, select, premier) and has won many awards, including the MSYSA Coach of the Year (1996), Macomb Area Conference Coach of the Year (2008 Boys Varsity Soccer), and Port Huron Times Herald All Area Coach of the Year (2007). In additon to coaching, Dianna has served several administrator roles including Taylor Soccer League President, Great Lakes Soccer League Secretary, and MSYSA TOPSoccer Chair. TOPSoccer is a US Youth Soccer program that Dianna brought to Michigan. It is a soccer program specifically for athletes with physical or mental disabilities. The one things Dianna likes most about soccer is that everyone can play it - regardless of phyical ability. Some of her favorite soccer memories including watching the TOPSoccer athletes play soccer and also watching their progress from season to season. Dianna has had a great time being involved in youth soccer and has no plans to stop anytime soon.
2009 Hall of Fame: Bob Meyerand Bob Meyerand has been involved in MSYSA teams and leagues for over 20 years. He began coaching when his young son was signed up for a team with no coach. He continued coaching his son for several more years and recently has coached his grandson. In 2001, Bob received the Canton Soccer Club Coach of the Year award. In addition to coaching, Bob has been involved administratively with the Canton Soccer Club, where he has served as President, Representative to GLSL, In-House Coordinator, Treasurer, Premier/Select Coordinator, Tournament Treasurer, and Tournament Age Group Coordinator. He continues to be actively involved in soccer administration because he believes that all children deserve the opportunity to play soccer. Soccer teams them fitness, sportsmanship, and leadership skills. Furthermore, soccer gives them the playground to forge friendships and make soccer memories that will last a lifetime - yet another reason why Bob continues to volunteer his time.