The Mike Warter Scholarship is awarded annually to one male and one female Minnesota soccer player who is registered to an MYSA affiliated club and is a graduating high school senior. The scholarship is a $500 tuition award that is to be used toward expenses at an accredited college, university or community college.
This scholarship is a lasting tribute to Mike Warter, a true pioneer for women's soccer in Minnesota. This fund is a reminder of Mike's commitment to the development of players by nurturing good play, good friendships, better facilities, proficient coaching and the happiest of times for all participants.
2011 Recipients
 MARY SHEA O'BRIEN (Shea) is a graduate of Holy Family Catholic High School (Victoria, Minn.). This fall, she will attend Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, with plans to major in pharmacy.
Shea has been playing soccer with the Chan/Chaska Soccer Club since she was six years old. She also has passed along her soccer knowledge by coaching a U6 boys' team. During the school year, not only was Shea involved in her varsity soccer team, but also lacrosse, snowboarding, student council, math league and yearbook. Her talent isn't just on the soccer field, but can be seen through her artwork, violin, bass clarinet and piano music.
Shea was awarded the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for completing more than 175 hours of community service. Her volunteer work has benefitted numerous organizations including We Can Ride; LOVE, INC; Ronald McDonald House; People Serving People; and Feed My Starving Children.
Shea is an extraordinary leader, both on and off the soccer field. She has learned that hard work, focus, commitment and dedication are essential to achieving goals and overcoming obstacles — a life lesson she will carry with her for continued success.
 ANDREW NGUYEN graduated from Coon Rapids High School. He plans to attend the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities to pursue a degree in finance.
Andrew has been involved with the Coon Rapids Soccer Club for many years as a player, U6 recreation coach and referee. He has been a captain on both his school varsity and club team and received an All-Conference Honorable Mention.
Andrew has received multiple academic achievement awards for his outstanding grade-point average. He's also been a member of National Honor Society.
This past year, Andrew was awarded the Prudential Spirit of Community Award for outstanding volunteer work. This award was based on his work for Soccer Unites, an organization he founded in 2009. As the founder and operator of Soccer Unites, he obtains new and gently-used soccer equipment from local clubs and sends it to countries with children in need, such as Uganda, Vietnam and Honduras.
Andrew has been described as, "… a dream for any coach to have on the team. He has skill, vision, discipline and is a team player. He is a positive and respectable young man that will go on to accomplish great things."
MYSA, the Mike Warter Scholarship Committee and the Mike Warter family would like to thank all the applicants and congratulate these fine young athletes and wish them continued success in their future endeavors.
2010 Recipients
COURTNEY MOORE is a graduate of Cambridge-Isanti High School. She plans on attending Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D. to earn a degree in biology and play on the women’s soccer team with the desire to become a Physician Assistant specializing in knee reconstruction.
An exemplary student-athlete, Courtney has achieved many accomplishments such as National Honor Society, Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar with Honor, AP Scholar with Distinction, “A” Honor Roll, Presidential Academic Award, Presidential Fitness Award and is a certified lifeguard.
Courtney has been playing soccer since she was four years old and has been involved in soccer not only as a player but also as a youth trainer for Cambridge-Isanti Soccer Club recreational camps.
Outside of soccer, Courtney has participated in high school track and field, basketball, weight lifting, choir and concert band. She has served as Miss Isanti Ambassador, 4H ambassador, class treasurer, National Honor Society treasurer and American Legion Auxiliary Girls State Representative (Post 290). Further, her volunteer work has benefited numerous organizations and programs including Grandview Christian Ministries Home, Cambridge Primary School tutoring and mentoring program, Relay for Life and Meals on Wheels.
Courtney has been described as “one of the finest examples of a teenager I have ever known. Her ability to help others, her patience, her eagerness to learn and willingness to teach, and her fortitude to complete her personal goals despite the amount of work involved are traits rarely seen in someone her age.”
LOGAN BULOCK is a graduate of Fairmont High School. He plans on furthering his education by attending Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D. with the goal of majoring in biology and becoming a chiropractor.
A model student, Logan has taken several International Baccalaureate (IB) and honors courses thus having completing nearly a full year of college credits during his junior and senior years in high school. In addition to playing soccer, he has also coached a U10 boy’s rec team and has been a referee for five years.
Outside of soccer, Logan has participated in high school concert band, donates blood regularly and was involved in a benefit for the family of a victim of domestic violence. In the community, he can often be found painting and maintaining the soccer complex in Fairmont as well as cleaning up trash that others have discarded in the parks.
A leader by example, Logan believes his achievements are the result of perseverance and work ethic. In soccer, he has learned to work hard, have fun at the same time and to not give up. These are the values that will help a person get to where they want to go in life.
2009 Recipients
This year’s Mike Warter College Scholarship recipients not only have great heads and feet for soccer, they also both play, referee and live with passion and serve their teammates and community with heart.
TAYLOR JACOBS of Maple Grove is a graduate of Maple Grove Senior High School. She plans on attending college to earn a degree in English or history with the desire to become a novelist.
Taylor has been playing soccer since she was six years old. She started playing for the MapleBrook Soccer Association at nine years old and has continued with that club for the last 10 years. She played her high school soccer at Maple Grove Senior High and has been involved in soccer not only as a player but also as a referee. Outside of soccer, Taylor has participated in track and field; where she was a repeat letter winner, basketball and numerous community organizations including Special Olympics, Knights of Columbus and C.R.O.S.S. food drives to name a few. Taylor is described as someone who always shows outstanding leadership, determination and a positive attitude in everything she does.
LINUS ONUOHA of Brooklyn Park is a graduate of Robbinsdale Cooper High School. He plans on furthering his education by attending college with the long term goal of becoming an electrical engineer or medical doctor.
Linus has been playing soccer since he was nine years old and this summer is playing for the Minnesota Thunder West U19 team. In addition to playing soccer, Linus has coached young recreational soccer players and is involved with the Knights of Columbus and Admission Possible; a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping promising, low-income young people prepare for and earn admission to college. With these organizations he has served pancake breakfasts, raked lawns for the elderly and collected food items for the needy. He strives to be a dedicated, caring and respectful person and believes that hard work and education are the key to a successful future.
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