The 2011 Inspireum Soccer Awards
In 2011 Inspireum a Bend, Oregon based company in partnership with the Trusted Sports Foundation created the Inspireum Soccer Awards to inspire and empower all youth, regardless of socio-economic status, to thrive in life through positive sports experiences.
This was their website for the 2011 Inspireum Soccer Awards.
Content is from the site's 2011 archived pages as well as other outside sources.
The new owner of this domain is hoping that by keeping the original content visible on the web, others will be motivated to create such awards that award scholarships to worthy young athletes.
INSPIREUM SOCCER AWARD
September 26, 2011 | www.soccerindiana.org
Would you like to earn an academic scholarship? Learn how you can make it happen…
The Inspireum Soccer Awards, in partnership with the Trusted Sports Foundation, announce the search for the most inspirational young soccer players in America (ONLY for male / female high school players). The Inspireum Soccer Awards look beyond statistics and traditional performance to discover and celebrate male and female athletes who inspire their teammates, school, family, and community, and best embody the traits of Character, Courage, Contribution and Commitment.
The amount of $25,000 in academic scholarships, provided by the Trusted Sports
Foundation, will be awarded to the 12 Finalists. A National Selection
Committee led by Steve Sampson, former head coach of the U.S. Men’s
National Soccer team and the LA Galaxy, will determine the nation’s
most inspirational players.
 |
“Through these awards, we hope to show young athletes that we value their character and ability to inspire as highly as we regard their athletic talent. We’re leveraging the power of soccer to motivate players, teams and communities to enable more youth to play so that no kids are left on the sidelines.” - Steve Sampson Chairman, Inspireum Soccer Awards |
About the Awards
ABOUT INSPIREUM
Inspireum, located in Bend, Oregon, is a social enterprise dedicated to celebrating outstanding youth achievement that inspires the next generation and strengthens our communities. We discover, amplify, and celebrate stories of youth that overcome life's challenges and inspire others to achieve.
Inspireum utilizes the power of social media, technology and community-based marketing to share extraordinary youth sports and service achievements that inspire America. Our multimedia technology platform hosts three national awards programs that showcase outstanding youth achievement that is measured by character, courage, contribution and commitment.
Our objective through the Inspireum Soccer Awards, the Inspireum Football Awards and other programs is to provide the public with a family-oriented platform that amplifies youth that inspire their fellow students, families and communities.
KIDS In The GAME
Our Mission
At the Trusted Sports Foundation, we are passionate about helping young people thrive in life through participating in youth sports. Our primary objective is to provide programs and assistance that "Get & Keep Kids in the Game". Our ultimate goal is for youth athletes to participate in sports, and that the positive impact of such experience enables them to live up to their full potential in the present and their future. Benefits of our programs will result in scholarships, subsidized registration fees for less fortunate kids, provision of sports gear and apparel, and other programs that enable young people to participate in organized youth sports.
The Need
Youth sports are a critical positive developmental tool for the next generation of Americans. But the statistics are staggering:
Why Youth Sports is Important
- less substance abuse
- less teen pregnancy
- less obesity
- less misconduct and criminal activity
- better social skills
- better academic performance
- higher levels of physical activity later in life
"The first time I became aware of Inspireum was when my brother told me about the awards after his son brought home an announcement of scholarship winners. Within a week, I met a parent whose daughter had received a small award, reinforcing how meaningful this recognition was for young athletes. At a gathering with friends and colleagues, I got into a deep conversation about the importance of supporting youth development through initiatives like the Inspireum Awards. The idea of celebrating student-athletes who show exceptional character and perseverance resonated strongly. One of the most memorable aspects of the program was how Inspireum chose to honor the MVPs—not just with scholarships, but by presenting each with a Superman t shirt, symbolizing their heroic efforts both on and off the field. Recognizing young athletes in this way sends a powerful message: that their dedication, resilience, and sportsmanship matter. It’s encouraging to see organizations making an impact by highlighting these young role models, and I hope to see more initiatives like this gaining momentum in the future." Rob Battleson
THE AWARDS
The Inspireum Soccer Awards™ program searches the nation for the most outstanding young soccer players who inspire and lead their teammates, schools and communities. $25,000 in academic scholarships will be awarded by the Trusted Sports Foundation to the twelve finalists. This program looks beyond traditional athletic performance measures to reward heart, team-oriented values, and inspirational impact that help youth succeed throughout life.
The Inspireum Soccer Awards™ celebrate inspirational young athletes who embody the values of character, courage, contribution and commitment through the sport of soccer. Recognizing and rewarding these outstanding players inspires other youth to pursue sports as a positive, action-oriented path to self-discipline, leadership, strong academic performance and a healthy lifestyle.
This fall, soccer teams nationwide will celebrate their most inspirational players through Inspireum’s online nominations process. Both female and male players enrolled in high school that play on their high school teams or with other soccer organizations are eligible to participate. Coaches, parents, teammates, classmates and friends are invited to nominate athletes, vote, and provide supportive comments for their inspirational favorite. A national Selection Committee of soccer and media notables, along with a fan vote, will choose the scholarship recipients.
WINNER
Congratulations to the 2011 Winner who receives a $7,500 academic scholarship.
CHRISTIAN METZLER - WOODBRIDGE, VA
Christian Metzler is among the top goalkeepers in the state of Virginia leading his team to a winning season and a spot on the All-State Team. It is easy to see why Christian is known for his ability as a talented soccer player, excellent student and a compassionate mentor, rather than his disability, as he was born with just one leg.Runners-Up
Congratulations to the Runners-Up who each receive a $2,500 academic scholarship.
TARA MCNAUGHT - LAKEWOOD, CA
Tara is a normal teen that must do the extraordinary every day as she goes through hours of breathing treatments and medication, and endures a special diet, to combat her Cystic Fibrosis and CF-related diabetes.
HUMBERTO ALVAREZ - MEDFORD, OR
Humberto, a terrific soccer player who had extraordinarily made the Far West Region IV ODP team, had to sit this season out while he recovered from surgery – surgery to donate marrow to his five year old brother Marco, who was stricken with Lymphoma.
MICHAEL COOPER - BLACKWOOD, NJ
Michael excels in school, on the soccer field, and within his community. It’s hard to believe that he does all of this while battling Crohn’s Disease. His disease, often making him feel sick and fatigued, doesn’t stop him from assisting his autistic brothers with their daily activities, and supporting the local soccer clubs by donating his time.
Fan Favorites
Congratulations to the Fan Favorites who each receive a $2,000 academic scholarship.
ERIK ARSENAULT - LAKE WORTH, FL
At the age of 12, it was discovered that Erik had a tumor on his spine that eventually required removal surgeries. After the tumor was removed and replaced with metal rods, Erik found himself working hard to get used to his new body. Throughout his recovery he continued to volunteer with the AYSO teams that have been such a big part of his life.
MARITZA VALDESPINO - HOUSTON, TX
Maritza is a familiar face within her community. Having been nicknamed “Robot”, it isn’t surprising to see the list of extra curricular activities she is involved in. What is surprising is the area in which she works so hard to help. Having already made a lasting impression on her school, there is no doubt Maritza is inspirational.
Finalists
Congratulations to the Finalists who each receive a $1,000 academic scholarship.
BECCA LIDVALL - LAKEWOOD, CO
Becca Lidvall holds her family together with her passion for soccer. When her father, and biggest fan, Dave, suffered a stroke last year, the family found happiness and stability once again through the sport, as Becca has worked for years to empower her two older brother's with special needs through the The Outreach Program for Soccer.
LAUREN LUKE - MUKILTEO, WA
Lauren was taken from her biological parents at the age of two, and shuffled between five foster homes before the age of five. She was adopted by the Luke family, and has since flourished, providing inspiration to everyone around her.
BROCK MARVIN - ELIZABETHTOWN, NY
In April of 2008, the healthy Brock endured a massive heart attack, which left his heart pumping at 7 percent capacity. He was put on a transplant list, and was given a new heart, and a new lease on life, in December of 2010.
GAELA NORMILE - VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
After the tragic loss of her youngest sibling, Gaela Normile didn’t waste any time making an impact on her community on behalf of her fallen brother. She sets a great example for her family by staying positive. Raising money for other grieving families in a time of need is only one example of the impression Gaela has already made.
SAM PORTER - GRESHAM, OR
Sam Porter may live away from her mother and at times been without a father due to his battles with addiction, crime and homelessness, but she has found stability in her passion for the sport of soccer, which she now shares with other young women as a volunteer coach.
GONZALO VASQUEZ - OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
From an impoverished and gang-filled area in Oklahoma City, Gonzalo has overcome stereotypes and peer pressure to become a role model for the young men and women in his area. He is a leader on and off the field as a captain for his soccer team while he excels in the classroom, volunteers in his community and works part time to support his family.
National Partners
PRESS RELEASE
BEND, OR (PRWEB) SEPTEMBER 21, 2011 | www.prweb.com
Steve Sampson, Former Head Coach U.S. Men's National Team
Through these awards, we hope to show young athletes that we value their character and ability to inspire as highly as we regard their athletic talent.
Following the success of the High School Football ‘Rudy’ Awards, Inspireum has created the Inspireum Soccer Awards. This Bend, Oregon based company founded the High School Football ‘Rudy’ Awards in 2009. Named for the University of Notre Dame’s most famous underdog Daniel 'Rudy' Ruettiger, the football awards honor our youth whose love of the game may not always result in the highest stats, but certainly has a positive impact on their team, school and community. Tapping into the fast growing team sport in the nation, the Inspireum Soccer Awards celebrate inspirational young athletes who embody the values of character, courage, contribution and who inspire others to excellence through their own actions.
$25,000 in academic scholarships will be awarded by the Trusted Sports Foundation to the twelve finalists. America can nominate the most inspirational athlete on their soccer team online through November 9 at http://www.InspireumSoccerAwards.com. Images and video can also be uploaded, and are encouraged. Online voting commences October 6 and continues after the Top 50 semifinalists are announced on November 17. The Top 12 finalists are chosen on December 13 and the winner, three runners-up and two fan favorites will be announced on January 3, 2012. The winner will receive their scholarship and award at the NSCAA Convention in Kansas City on January 14.
Final scholarship recipients are chosen by a national selection committee that is led by former coach of the U.S. Men’s National team and LA Galaxy, Steve Sampson. “Through these awards, we hope to show young athletes that we value their character and ability to inspire as highly as we regard their athletic talent,” Sampson said. “We’re leveraging the power of soccer to motivate players, teams and communities to enable more youth to play so that no kids are left on the sidelines.” Other notable soccer personalities such as Jurgen Klinsmann, head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team, Lynn Berling-Manuel of American Youth Soccer Organization, and internationally acclaimed soccer announcer known for his signature call “Goooaaallll!” Andres Cantor, serve on the selection committee.
About Inspireum
Inspireum is a social enterprise dedicated to rewarding outstanding youth achievement that inspires the next generation and strengthens our communities. We discover, amplify, and celebrate stories of youth that overcome adversity and inspire others to achieve. Our technology, programs, and financial resources provide the inspiration, motivation, and opportunity for youth to engage in sports and service as hands-on, action-oriented paths to leadership, academic performance and healthy lifestyles. In partnership with the Trusted Sports Foundation we work to inspire and empower all youth, regardless of socio-economic status, to thrive in life through positive sports experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS THE 2011 SCHEDULE?
| September 13th | Open for Nominations |
| October 6th | Fan Voting begins! |
| November 9th | Closed for Nominations (5pm PST) |
| November 17th | Top 50 Semifinalists announced |
| December 13th | Top 12 Finalists announced |
| January 3rd |
Final results announced!
Winner, 3 Runners-up, 2 Fan Favorites
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| January 14th |
Awards Ceremony
NSCAA Convention (Kansas City, MO)
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WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE INSPIREUM SOCCER AWARDS?
- Nominees must be enrolled in a high school (or home schooled at the high school level) in the United States at the time of the nomination;
- Nominees must play on any high school soccer team (freshman, JV, varsity), OR play on any soccer organization team.
- Nominees must be officially on a team at any time (spring, summer, fall seasons) during the 2011 calendar year.
WHO CAN NOMINATE A SOCCER PLAYER AND WHAT IS THE PROCESS?
IS APPROVAL FROM A PARENT OR GUARDIAN REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE?
WHEN IS THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT A NOMINATION?
WHAT IS AWARDED?
$25,000 in academic scholarships will be awarded to the twelve Finalists.
| Winner | $7,500 academic scholarship |
| Runner-up | $2,500 academic scholarship |
| Runner-up | $2,500 academic scholarship |
| Runner-up | $2,500 academic scholarship |
| Fan Favorite Female | $2,000 academic scholarship |
|
Fan Favorite
Male
|
$2,000 academic scholarship |
| 6 Other Finalists | $1,000 academic scholarship (each) |
WHAT IS THE SELECTION PROCESS?
There are three rounds of the selection process. The first round determines the top 50 Semifinalists. The second round determines the top 12 Finalists. The final round will determine the Inspireum Soccer Awards Winner, 3 Runners-up and 2 Fan Favorites.
- Round 1: 50 Semifinalists -- 40 of the 50 Semifinalists will be chosen from the entire pool of eligible nominees by an internal committee of members of the Trusted Sports Foundation. A combination of Fan Vote and internal committee of the Trusted Sports Foundation, each with a 50/50 weighting, will determine ten of the fifty Semifinalists..
- Round 2: 12 Finalists -- 10 of the 12 Finalists will be chosen from the pool of 50 Semifinalists by an internal committee of members of the Trusted Sports Foundation. A combination of Fan Vote and internal committee of the Trusted Sports Foundation each with a 50/50 weighting will determine two of the 12 Finalists.
- Final Round: The National Selection Committee and online Fans will vote from the pool of 12 Finalists to determine the Winner and 3 Runners-Up. The fan vote will count as one member unit of the Selection Committee. The online Fans will vote from the pool of 12 Finalists to select one female and one male recipient of the “Fan Favorite" award.
The Inspireum Soccer Awards Winner, three Runners-up and two “Fan Favorites” will be announced on January 3, 2012.
HOW ARE THE NOMINEES EVALUATED?
The nominees are evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Overall positive impact of the nominee’s inspirational story.
- Extent to which nominee exhibits the qualities of Character, Courage, Contribution and Commitment.
- Magnitude in which the nominee has inspired his or her teammates, school, family and community.
WILL FANS BE ABLE TO SHOW SUPPORT BY VOTING?
HOW MANY TIMES WILL A FAN BE ALLOWED TO VOTE?
WHAT ROLE DOES THE TRUSTED SPORTS FOUNDATION PLAY IN THE INSPIREUM SOCCER AWARDS?
ONCE I HAVE BEEN NOMINATED, THEN WHAT?
HOW DO SUPPORTERS AND NOMINEES SUBMIT CONTENT TO A NOMINEE'S PLAYER PROFILE PAGE?
HOW DO I USE SOCIAL MEDIA (FACEBOOK, TWITTER) TO CREATE MORE AWARENESS ABOUT MY PARTICIPATION IN THE INSPIREUM SOCCER AWARDS?