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MYSA Hall of Fame Inductees

Abboud, Charles (2009)
Dr. Abboud was instrumental in starting youth soccer in the area of Rochester, Minn. He served as the first President of the Rochester Youth Soccer Association, which is now one of MYSA's largest clubs. Dr. Abboud was also a volunteer youth soccer coach for many years and was considered to be an excellent role model for the players. He was often described as being a polite, considerate gentleman; someone the youth soccer players all looked up to and respected. More recently, Dr. Abboud worked with others in the Rochester area to help bring the Rochester Thunder team to the community. The Rochester Thunder team completed its first season this past summer and play in the United Soccer League's Premier Development League's Central Conference, in the Heartland Division.

Barker, Ian (2017)
Ian came to Minnesota in 1997, and led MYSA as Director of Coaching for 11 years before leaving in 2007. His responsibilities included development and coordination of programs for 140 youth soccer clubs throughout the state, management of between 45–60 full- and part-time employees and working collaboratively with the MYSA Board of Directors. During his tenure, he co-developed and advocated Parents and Coaches Together (PACT), a training program designed to create a more positive soccer experience for players, coaches and parents.

Before Ian came to Minnesota he was assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin where he coached the men’s team from 1989-1997. While there, he helped the Badgers to four NCAA tournament appearances in a five-year span. The 1995 team won the Big 10 title and claimed the NCAA national championship. After his success at Wisconsin he assisted John Leaney at Macalester College working with both the men’s and women’s programs. He took over the head coaching role of the men’s program in 2003 and compiled a 152-74-21 conference record in his time with the team winning six conference championships, one MIAC playoff title and six appearances in the NCAA Division III playoffs. In 2012, Ian took the position of Director of Coaching Education at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) in Kansas City, Kansas.

Bazakos, Mike (2008)
Mike is currently a National Assessor, National Emeritus Referee and State Instructor. He has had a very successful referee career - referee since 1974, State Instructor from 1982 to present, Minnesota State Referee Administrator and State Youth Referee Administrator from 1982 to 1996, National USSF Referee from 1984 to 1991, National Assessor from 1991 to present, National Emeritus Referee from 1992 to present, State Director of Assessment from 2000 to 2004, USSF Assignor, Assignor Instructor and USSF Life Member of the Referee Program since 2000. Mike's referee assignments have included youth, amateur and professional games throughout the state, nation and internationally. He has officiated youth league games and tournaments in Minnesota, games and tournaments in other states, and national team games including Canada, Colombia, England, Norway, Poland and the USA.

Bazakos, Toni (2008)
Toni first became involved in Minnesota's referee program in 1982 when she began supporting the Minnesota State Referee Committee (SRC) office. Her accomplishments in the referee community include serving as the SRC Office Manager for many years, referee administrator for the St. Paul Blackhawks Soccer Club from 1990 to 1998 and SRC Administrator from 2002 to 2005. Toni also has a long and successful history as a referee assignor in the state. She has served as an assignor for many MYSA clubs, the MYSA Summer State Tournament, the Minnesota Thunder and a number of high schools.

Beggin, Glenn (2006)
Glenn is one of the co-founders of MYSA. In 1969, Glenn and his twin brother, Paul, founded the Minnesota Juniors Soccer Association, which was later renamed the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association. He served as MYSA's first president from 1969 until 1977. Glenn was also one of the founding board members of the US Youth Soccer Association in 1975. He was responsible for starting a number of soccer clubs in the northern suburbs and coached for many years. Glenn is the recipient of numerous soccer awards, the Minnesota Amateur Soccer League Hall of Fame and the Minnesota High School Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame, to name a few.

Beggin, Paul (2006)
Paul, along with his brother Glenn, co-founded MYSA in 1969. He served as MYSA's first vice president from 1969 until 1977. Paul has been an active member of the USA Cup Committee and the National Sports Center Foundation Board for 20 years. He also was instrumental in starting a number of soccer clubs and has coached and officiated for many years. Paul signed up the first all-girls team in Minnesota! Paul is the recipient of many soccer awards, including the Sons of Norway International Founders Award, the Minnesota Amateur Soccer League Hall of Fame and the Minnesota High School Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Enriquez, Dario (2015)
Dario was instrumental in the development of soccer in the state of Minnesota in several ways. He arranged, supervised, and led clinics for coaches and players in the west metro area; traveled around the state to demonstrate the sport and show young people and their community leaders how to play the game; and assisted with the State Select Team Program (precursor to ODP) from 1975–1985. Dario spent his weekend’s visiting any town that showed interest in beginning a program for their children. When the State Select Program started, Dario served as an assistant coach each summer to help develop the talent of high school players. Notable players that he coached in this program were: Gregg Thompson (our first Olympic player and NASL Rookie of the Year), Terry Leindecker (a goalkeeper with the Kicks), Todd Zoschke (now with the Blaine Soccer Club), many of the players on the original Minnesota Thunder soccer teams, and many college soccer players. His enthusiasm and attention to detail led several of these players to go on as coaches and soccer organization leaders themselves.

Engstrom, Bob (2006)
Bob was responsible for forming and coaching the first youth soccer team in the city of Minneapolis in 1972. He also started the Minneapolis KPAC boys and girls teams in 1973. Bob served as the MYSA Southwest Regional Director and a MYSA Board Member from 1974 until 1988. He also assisted in the formation of the Minnesota Thunder in 1990 and he has been a board member of Minnesota Thunder PLUS since 1992. Bob has coached and officiated many soccer games over the years and was responsible for supplying the artwork for MYSA Manuals and Annual Reports in the past.

Erhard, Lee (2010)
Lee served as a leader of youth soccer in Minnesota in various capacities for about 20 years and was very involved in growing recreational soccer in the state. He was MYSA's first-ever Recreational Director and was instrumental in bringing the US Youth Soccer Kohl's American Cup to Minnesota. Lee served in various volunteer positions on the MYSA Board of Directors and on MYSA committees. In addition, he helped out at the MYSA state office, assisted with the MYSA Soccer Fairs and served as a volunteer field marshal at many tournaments.

Finstad, Angie (2006)
Angie served as the MYSA South Girls Director from 1981 until 1987, during which time girls soccer quadrupled in size. She played a critical role in growing girls soccer in the state of Minnesota. Angie was the Burnsville Girls' Commissioner from 1980 until 1984 and was the first steering committee member of the Sons of Norway USA Cup in 1985. Angie, along with Mike Warter, started the SOTA Girls Soccer Club. She also assisted in creating new districts in the Western suburbs and the St. Paul area.

Froslid, Ken (2006)
Ken's work with the Minnesota Legislature helped to bring about many changes and improvements for soccer in the state. He was a founding member of the USA Cup Committee and founded the Arden Hills Soccer Club. Ken started the Minnesota Soccer Times and was responsible for developing internal and external communication plans for the association. He also launched a media relations plan; first on the local level, and later on a national level. Ken was responsible for implementing different computer programs and was instrumental in MYSA's first attempt to automate statewide registration.

Johnson, Phil (2013)
Phil has a long history with both youth club and high school soccer in Minnesota. He coached youth club soccer at the Hudson Soccer Club, St. Croix Soccer Club, St. Croix Valley Athletic Association and the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program for Minnesota Youth Soccer. Phil coached high school soccer at Stillwater for 36 years, with 32 of those as the Stillwater Boys’ Head Coach. He holds many coaching licenses, some of which include the USSF “B” License, USSF Youth License, NSCAA High School Diploma and the NSCAA Goalkeeping Diplomas I & II. In addition, Phil has been a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) for 25 years and a member of the Minnesota State High School Soccer Coaches Association (MSHSSCA) for more than 30 years. Phil was a teacher at Stillwater Area Schools for 32 years, until he retired in 2007.

Kish, Cheryl (2009)
Cheryl served as a leader of youth soccer in Minnesota in various capacities for more than 24 years. She was instrumental in developing the Coon Rapids Soccer Association, which now serves more than 600 youth soccer players. Cheryl served in many different volunteer roles with the Coon Rapids soccer club and in the North District. She also served in various volunteer positions on MYSA committees and on the MYSA Board of Directors; most notably, as the Vice President of League Operations for many years.

Lagos, Buzz (2007)
Buzz began his long-time soccer coaching career as a youth soccer coach. He coached the SPA Soccer Team during their powerhouse years in the 1980's and currently coaches youth soccer players at the Higher Ground Academy in St. Paul. Buzz was the head coach of the Minnesota Thunder until 2005 and coached the Minnesota Thunder to four A-league Championship matches in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2003—winning the Championship match in 1999. Most recently, Buzz was the 2007 recipient of the US Youth Soccer Region II Ron Wigg Award.

Lawrence, Tom (2018)
Tom Lawrence has been an integral part in the development of soccer in state of Minnesota since 1976. As a coach, Tom began his coaching career for the Rochester Youth Soccer Association (RYSA) in 1981 and continued to coach until 2014. During this span, he coached both boys and girls’ teams ranging from U12 to U19 as well as at the high school level from 1990 until 1999.

Beyond Tom’s long coaching history, he also has dedicated his life to growing the sport through numerous means. They include: RYSA Club Register 1986–1993, RYSA Tournament Director 1987–1991 and 2000–2003, Referee Assignor 1991–present, RYSA Executive Board Member 1997–2000, Club Treasurer for Rochester Adult Soccer Club 2000–present and MYSA Treasurer and Board Member 1995–2014.

As the Minnesota Youth Soccer Treasurer, Tom kept the best interests of MYSA as his primary consideration of his board tenure. He helped create programs for helping clubs with grants and programs. His fellow board members were always impressed with his dedication to the game in general and the players in particular.

To this day, Tom is still heavily involved in youth soccer with his passion for refereeing. Tom is the current referee assignor for all Rochester Youth Recreational Soccer games and he also assigns for the surrounding communities. Beyond the assigning, you can find Tom refereeing several games or mentoring our next generation of referees. His passion and love for the game and the youth is extraordinary. Through his dedication to the sport, Tom was recognized in 1990 with the Paul Hudson Award and in 2005 he was inducted into the Rochester Youth Soccer Association Hall of Fame.

Lyslo, Wally (2016)
Ever since soccer began to grow in Minnesota, Wally has been there as a person everyone could look up to in the referee community. Wally got his start as a volunteer referee in 1973, when his son became old enough to play under Minnesota rules. Eight years later, he registered as a referee with the U.S. Soccer Federation beginning his long run as a valuable referee, assignor and instructor at the state, regional and national level.

When the first regional soccer tournament was held in Minnesota in 1982, Wally helped coordinate referees for the event. Shortly after, he became a provisional referee instructor before taking on the role of State Youth Referee Administrator for the Minnesota Jr. Soccer Association. When the organization evolved into the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association in 1987, Wally was named to the board of directors. Throughout the next two decades, Wally held several administrative positions, including Secretary of the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association and the US Youth Soccer Region II Referee Administrator. He was appointed by the governor of Minnesota to the Minnesota State Games Board, and he became Chairman of the US Youth Soccer Referee Committee in 1996.

In 2008, Wally was granted lifetime membership in the USSF Referee Program for 25 years of service and contributions to the National Program for Referee Development. In 2015 Wally was inducted into the US Youth Soccer Hall of Fame.

Mansour, Fuad (2006)
Fuad first began demonstrating soccer in Rochester's elementary schools in 1970, and then at the request of Rochester's youth hockey director, he began teaching soccer skills in 1973 to hockey players in their off-season. In 1975, Fuad founded the Rochester Youth Soccer Association, which today is MYSA's largest soccer club. During his lifetime, Fuad coached and officiated many, many soccer games. He was named to the Rochester Youth Soccer Association Hall of Fame in 2005.

Merrick, Alan (2007)
Alan is currently director of soccer development at the National Sports Center in Blaine. He is also the head coach for the University of Minnesota Men's Soccer Club and a coach at the National Sports Center Soccer Academy. Alan was head coach of the Minnesota Strikers for four years and was named Soccer Digest's MISL Coach of the Year twice. Alan was a very accomplished professional soccer player for 17 years; playing in England, Canada and the United States.

Minnesota Kicks (2007)
The Minnesota Kicks organization was honored for heightening awareness for a sport that was considered "foreign" to Minnesota. The Kicks were in existence from 1976–1981 and were members of the North American Soccer League (NASL). This league was the longest-running and most successful professional soccer league in US history to date. The Kicks overall average attendance was 24,381 in their six years of existence. The Minnesota Kicks brought awareness of the sport of soccer to Minnesota and fueled the fire for future generations.

Moran, John (2012)
John has a long history with soccer in Minnesota. He first started coaching with the Minnesota Junior Soccer Association (now the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association) back in 1977 for a U14 boys' team. In 1980, John helped form the Bloomington Junior Soccer Club and write their bylaws. In 1981, he helped create a computerized system for registration of players and provided instruction to club registrars. During much of the 1980's, John served as the South District Director (now called District Competitive Rep.) and he was the league scheduler for the South District. From 1988-1992, John was the Executive Director of the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association and in the 1990's, helped form the Minnesota Youth Soccer Compliance Committee. In addition, he was a USSF-certified referee and refereed both club soccer and high school soccer from 1978-2004. John has contributed countless hours to the sport of soccer in Minnesota over the years. His knowledge, expertise and passion for soccer were crucial for growing the game in the state of Minnesota.

Olson, Steve (2019)
Steve Olson has served as the Chief Operating Officer of the National Sports Center Foundation since 2000.  Previously he served as Executive Director of Minnesota Youth Soccer and Associate Director of Athletics and Recreational Sports at the University of Michigan.  

Steve became a soccer official since 1973 rising to the level of National Referee in 1983 and to the FIFA Panel of International Assistant Referees in 1992. He served on that panel until 1998 when he retired from active officiating. During his tenure as an official he was assigned multiple qualifying games for the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, and the qualifying games of the 1996 Olympics.  During the 1994 World Cup in the US, he was the Field Producer for the Detroit venue.  He was a member of the officiating crew for the 1996 and 1997 MLS Cup finals.  As a member of the international panel of referees from the United States, he received assignments to the US Cup in 1993, 1995 and 1997.  His assignments for the 1993 US Cup were Germany vs. Brazil and England vs. Brazil.  He also received assignments to the World Military Games, the World University Games, the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and the CONCACAF U-20 Championships.  In addition to his work with traditional soccer, he officiated professional indoor soccer from 1978 to 1998 in the NASL, NPSL and MISL.  He was a member of the Big Ten referee staff and received assignments to NCAA playoff games from 1983 to his retirement.

Upon his retirement in 1998, he was elected to the US Soccer National Board of Directors as the first Referee Director. In 2000 he was made a life member of US Soccer for his contributions to the referee program.  He currently serves US Soccer as a National Assessor/Instructor, is a FIFA Referee Instructor and has been an MLS/PRO Referee Assessor since 2002.  He has evaluated over 250 games for MLS during his career and over 150 international games featuring national teams or professional club teams.

Portesan, Marian and Portesan, Sergio (1996): Charter members
Sergio Portesan was the first President of Minnesota Youth Soccer Association. MYSA has existed since 1987 as a non-profit organization with the bulk of the work being done by hardworking volunteers like Sergio and his wife Marian. Even before 1987, they worked with a dedicated group of volunteers as part of the Minnesota Junior Soccer League. Like most youth organizations, it began because a few very dedicated people wanted to create a place for their children and their children’s friends to play.

Sergio and Marian ran the MYSA office out of their home in the early days. Registrations were handled by Marian while Sergio could be found on the soccer field coaching and generally being soccer’s gracious ambassador. Whether it was providing soccer shoes, help purchasing goats, nets and other equipment to securing space to build a soccer field, their passion for soccer and their resolve as volunteers to do what it took to make soccer happen for Minnesota’s youth was evident.

Over the years, even when he was in failing health, Sergio could be seen at many sanctioned tournaments and youth soccer events. His infectious smile and warm personality drew people in. The MYSA grew into the organization it is today because of the passion for youth soccer as exhibited by Sergio and Marian.

St. Paul Soccer Club (2011)
The St. Paul Soccer Club was founded in St. Paul, Minn. in April of 1952. The Club's main goals were to form a soccer team and to raise the awareness of soccer in the state of Minnesota. The St. Paul Soccer Club worked hard to get media coverage via the St. Paul Pioneer Press and formed not just one team, but two teams; the Blackhawks and the Falcons. Over the years, the Club held countless fundraisers and the teams played many, many games and tournaments. Past and present St. Paul Soccer Club members dedicated numerous volunteer hours, knowledge and expertise to help grow the sport of soccer in Minnesota. In addition, the St. Paul Soccer Club has had a long history of generosity and has donated money to many different soccer clubs as well as other organizations, such as Paralympics. Recently, the St. Paul Soccer Club made the decision to donate $50,000 to MYSA and $25,000 to Tribute to the Troops and $25,000 to the St. Paul Children's Hospital.

Sandberg, Jan (2014)
Like many volunteers, Jan began her career in soccer as a parent supporting her daughter’s team. Coaching was beyond her skill set, but she had some administrative skills that she could put to use. Jan served as a board member and tournament director for the Bloomington Junior Soccer Club. After a few years, she was encouraged to fill a vacancy for the MYSA South Girls District Director and later served as the MYSA Tournament Director. Finally, Jan served as MYSA President from 1998-2000. She was privileged to witness and participate in the boom in youth soccer during the 1990s and the stress that growth brings. As President of MYSA, Jan faced many issues (some of which continue today) including how to balance competitive vs. rec needs, accommodating premier teams, competing soccer interests, playing field conditions and concerns about concussions. Jan retired from the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor in 2007 at the same time her husband, Dick, chose to take early retirement from his engineering career at Thermoking. She is currently a full-time volunteer as vice-chair of the Minneapolis Charter Commission and member of three nonprofit boards in northern Minnesota addressing environmental issues. Her daughter, a veterinary ophthalmologist, lives in Vancouver, British Columbia with her New Zealander husband, Mike, who is a veterinary surgeon. Jan and her husband currently reside in Minneapolis.

Sanneh, Tony (2016)
Tony, a Saint Paul native, played locally for the St. Paul Blackhawks and attended St. Paul Academy. He went on to play at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee becoming the school’s all-time leading scorer from 1990-1993. Tony enjoyed an impressive 17-year professional soccer career. Major career highlights include starring in the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan, two Major League Soccer championships with D.C. United and participation in the UEFA Champions League with Hertha Berlin during his six years in the German Bundesliga. Tony’s impact on American soccer was recently recognized by his selection to the Soccer America U.S. Men’s National Team “All-Decade Team.” He was also a recent finalist for the United States Soccer Hall of Fame.

At the height of his professional career he created The Sanneh Foundation (TSF) to leverage soccer’s unique potential to create positive social change for diverse youth in the Twin Cities. Since retiring from professional soccer in 2010 and becoming the organization’s full-time CEO, TSF has evolved into one of Minnesota’s leading youth development organizations. Overseeing TSF’s overall direction and progress, Sanneh has led the organization from a single program and a total budget of $30,000, to six programs and a yearly budget of over three million dollars. TSF offered over 100 free camps to thousands to kids throughout Minneapolis, St. Paul and surrounding suburbs. Last year alone, TSF served 8,500 youth.

In addition to his executive leadership role within The Sanneh Foundation, Tony continues to serve the United States as a Sports Envoy on behalf of the SportsUnited Division of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. In this official diplomatic capacity, he has shared his knowledge and expertise of sports based youth development in Bolivia, Cyprus, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Ethiopia, and Malaysia, helping to spread American cultural values of tolerance, inclusion and female empowerment using the international language of sport.

Singer, Ellie (2013)
Ellie’s broad soccer experience includes multiple administrative roles at the state, regional and national levels. She served at the state level as Minnesota Youth Soccer’s President for six years and Vice President of Development for two years. At the regional level, Ellie served as the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program Administrator for five years. And at the national level, she served as the US Youth Soccer Vice President for two years and as the Youth Representative to the US Soccer Federation for two years. In addition, Ellie has served on numerous committees for Minnesota Youth Soccer, US Youth Soccer and the U.S. Soccer Federation, and she currently serves on the U.S. Soccer Foundation Grants Committee. Over the years, she also has been a very active volunteer for numerous soccer and community events, and she was a referee for 11 years. Ellie is currently retired.

Tudor, John (2012)
JT's soccer experience covers many aspects of the game. He was a professional player in Europe from 1964-1983. Tudor played for Coventry City FC, Sheffield United FC, Newcastle United AFC, Stoke City FC, KAA Ghent FC Belgium, North Shields AFC and Gateshead FC. In 1979, JT began coaching soccer and he still coaches today. He holds many coaching licenses, some of which include the UEFA "A" conversion course, USSF "A" License, USSF "Y" module course and the NSCAA Advanced National Diploma course. Over the years, JT has worked for the North Shields AFC Northern Premier League, Gateshead Football Club, Football Association for the county of Derbyshire in the United Kingdom, Minnesota Youth Soccer Association, Tonka United Soccer Association, Chan-Chaska United Soccer Club, Minnesota Thunder "A" League Soccer Club, Minnetonka High School and Holy Family Catholic High School. JT is very well known and highly respected in the Minnesota soccer community. His love for the game of soccer and the joy he gets from working with young soccer players is obvious every time he steps on the field and is a privilege to watch.

Warter, Mike (2007)
Mike was a true pioneer for women's soccer in Minnesota. He founded Minnesota's first elite women's soccer team–SOTA United, which produced several NCAA Division I athletes. Mike was the University of Minnesota Women's Club Coach for nine years. During his tenure there, Mike led the women to two National Club Championships and five Big Ten Tournament Championships. He was a girl's Olympic Development Program coach and former head coach of Eagan Girls' Soccer Team. Mike passed away in 2000 but his award was accepted by his family members.