50TH ANNIVERSARY GALA CELEBRATES HONOREES AND AWARDEES
Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Celebrated at Lincoln Financial Field
A night of honor, recognition, and celebration welcomed more than 300 guests at the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer 50th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, April 30. The 70-degree weather certainly helped guests enjoy an evening on the Lincoln Financial Stadium field to enjoy their walk-thru of the Eagles locker room and media room.
By 6:30 p.m., the real celebration began.
Without knowing our past, it’d be nearly impossible to fully understand just how we got to where we are today. Without Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s establishment in 1972, we certainly wouldn’t be able to celebrate 50 years of history together. What we are certain about, however, is that no matter the history, there will always be great coaches, teams, and individuals who impact soccer in the greatest ways possible.
The 50th Anniversary Gala showcased a handful of eastern Pennsylvania’s best former, current, and rising individuals in the sport.
One of the night’s highlights was Coach of the Year Bill James’ video presentation, where his PA Dominion boy’s soccer team recorded themselves congratulating their coach on his achievement. Another highlight was recognizing the future of soccer by presenting Hope Barrist and Luca Bracalenti with the Young Referee of the Year award.
Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Technical Director Mike Barr was re-presented with The Dr. Thomas Fleck Award – an award initially presented by US Youth Soccer. Barr received another tremendous accolade during the Gala: the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Coaching Excellence Award (which will now be renamed the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Mike Barr Coaching Excellence Award).
With awards presented to soccer’s best former, current, and rising individuals, it’s proof that the future of the sport is in good hands.
50th Anniversary Gala Award Recipient List
Young Referees of the Year
Hope Barrist
Luca Bracalenti
Coach of the Year Award
Bill Becher, Penn FC (girls coach)
Bill James, PA Dominion (boys coach)
Eastern Pennsylvania Soccer Association Adult Hall of Fame
Mark Yocum
Mike Moran
Jim Bollinger
Union League of Philadelphia Good Citizen Award
Alison Harvey, Andre Carlson, Andie Salmon, Andrew Keddie, Anna Cleary, Ben Sparling, Caroline Oswald, Devon Runk, Edith Mackenzie, Erin Somerville, Julia Thompson, Maria Vyzaniaris, Maximillian Farma, Maya Johnson, Mia Zebley, Rachel Enache, Ryan Kuegler, Serena Harris, Waseem Jawawdeh
Celebrating 50 Years as a Charter Member of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer
Inter-County Soccer League
The Dr. Thomas Fleck Award
Mike Barr
Service to the Community Award
Philadelphia 2026
Team of the Year Award
Penn FC 2004 Lightning (girls)
Villanova SA 2007 Centurions(boys)
Service to Youth Award
Dan Kennedy, Penn Fusion - West Chester United Soccer Club
Kathy Helm, US Youth Soccer ODP
D’Anjolell Award
Ridley United Soccer Club