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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Rookie Coach of the Year

Corey Nichols Boone County YSA

With this award, KYSA salutes all the young people who give back to the game they love. Nichols, a 15-year-old Boone County teen is head coach of the Boone Co. Mighty Mixers U10 boys' recreational team. 

Corey is the son of Boone Co. YSA president Glen Nichols and referee administrator Adele Nichols. (Just listen to their phone message and you'll get an idea of how much the entire family contributes to the local soccer game!) 

Although this is Corey's first year as a U10 coach, he has coached an Under 6 team on his own for six seasons. 

According to his nomination packet, when informed that this fall's U6 team will include a child with hearing impairment, Corey took it upon himself to "go to the library and learn some sign language."  Soccer Mom Jennifer Ribbergen, who spearheaded the nomination campaign, said in her letter that Corey "looks at the game from both sides because he is a coach and a ref" and that this natural-born coach even "worries about the boys on and off the field," calling him a "great kid who can clearly relate to the boys because is still very young at heart." 

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