Kentucky Awards for 2000

The Kentucky Youth Soccer Association Awards recognize outstanding achievements by Coaches, Players, Referees and Administrators in advancing youth soccer in the state.  

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Competitive Coach of the Year

Dan Williams Woodford County Heat Under 11/12 Boys

This Woodford YSA coach is well known for not only winning but winning with pride. 

According to his nomination packet, Dan Williams "strongly encourages and insists upon sportsmanshiplike conduct from his (U11) players," encouraging "attacking the ball but never another player." After a six-year recreational career, 

Dan coaches the U11 WYSA Heat competitive team. His nominations note his "positive influence on every kid" and that an application for a state coaching award "simply does not do justice to the amount of time, dedication, enthusiasm or love" that a coach who "truly lives, eats and breathes this game" puts into his youth soccer team. 

Williams played for the Asbury College Eagles in the early 1980s and semi-pro soccer for the Virginia Blasters from 1984-1986. 

According to Rock Vance, the Heat's team manager, one particular experience from the past season sums up Williams' character as a coach: "Our team had a (game) this spring where we strongly felt the center referee made such a crucial mistake that our team lost the game. We felt justified in filing an appeal over this matter. . . Dan chose not to appeal this game, even though we felt we could win, and to let the matter go. 

His justification was simple. . .(He said) you win games on the soccer field, not on paper. Sometimes life just isn't fair. Dan was right and our kids got more out of this pearl of wisdom than simply another digit in the win column. They learned a life lesson." 

Congratulations Dan, and thanks for all of your hard work!