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.

“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 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

"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

The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) was established in the Los Angeles area in 1964 with nine teams. Today, AYSO has more than 50,000 teams and more than 550,000 players. The organization is proud to have paved the road for youth soccer and looks forward to meeting the challenges of the 21st century. 

 

The National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA), based in Easton, PA, is an organization dedicated to helping high school coaches and administrators across the country. Since 1989, the NHSCA has helped host national championships in several sports and offers a variety of resources to coaches and athletes.

 

Based in Kansas City, Kansas, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America is the largest soccer coaches' organization in the world. Since its founding in 1941, it has grown to include more than 30,000 members who coach both genders at all levels of the sport. In addition to a national rankings program for colleges and high schools, NSCAA offers an extensive recognition program that presents nearly 10,000 individual awards every year. It fulfills its mission of coaching education through a nationwide program of clinics and week-long courses, teaching more than 6,000 soccer coaches each year.      

      

Positive Coaching Alliance is a national non-profit committed to providing all youth and high school athletes with a positive, character-building experience. We achieve this primarily through live and online courses for the Double-Goal Coach®, Second-Goal Parent®, and Triple-Impact Competitor®.  

 

 

Play Like A Champion Today™ is an innovative coach and parent education organization that is transforming the culture of youth sports. Based at the University of Notre Dame, Play Like A Champion Today™ offers a child-centered, research-based approach to coaching and sport parenting.

 

Rush Soccer represents over 34,000 youth soccer players nationwide. Rush Soccer is committed to making soccer a pleasant, safe, and rewarding experience for everyone involved, regardless of ability, and believe that all players are winners because everyone is afforded an equal opportunity to explore their potential and pursue positive outcomes on and off the field. 

SHOEBACCA.com is a full-scale online retail footwear company dedicated to helping customers and their families lead active, healthy lifestyles. SHOEBACCA.com boasts an impressive selection of over 200 brands and 25,000 styles from the world's most popular and premium brands of athletic shoes, outdoor shoes, and fashionable shoes, apparel, bags, sunglasses, and gear.

PRESS RELEASE

Frequently Asked Questions

More Background On InspireumSoccerAwards.com

InspireumSoccerAwards.com was the online home for the 2011 Inspireum Soccer Awards, a national awards program developed by Inspireum, a social enterprise based in Bend, Oregon, in partnership with the Trusted Sports Foundation. While the site is no longer active in its original form, archived content and public recollection preserve its impact on youth sports—particularly the ways in which it used soccer as a platform to recognize character, courage, commitment, and contribution in young athletes.

The awards celebrated high school soccer players—not necessarily the top scorers or fastest runners, but those who inspired teammates, families, and communities through perseverance, leadership, and resilience. Scholarships totaling $25,000 were awarded annually to finalists, with a special emphasis on those overcoming adversity.

Ownership and Organizational Background

The Inspireum Soccer Awards were initiated by Inspireum, a Bend, Oregon-based company founded to promote and celebrate stories of inspirational youth achievement. Inspireum operated several national awards programs and focused on leveraging social media and community engagement to elevate stories of young people making a difference.

Their nonprofit partner, the Trusted Sports Foundation, shared this mission with a focus on removing financial and structural barriers that prevent kids from participating in organized sports. Through collaborative awards like the Inspireum Soccer Awards, they worked to provide scholarships and highlight the character-driven impact of athletics.

Purpose and Goals

The core goal of the Inspireum Soccer Awards was to:

"Discover, amplify, and celebrate stories of young athletes who inspire others through Character, Courage, Contribution, and Commitment."

The program was designed to:

• Celebrate youth leaders who use sports as a platform to make a difference.

• Provide financial assistance through academic scholarships.

• Encourage positive role modeling in schools and communities.

• Promote sports as a tool for building leadership, discipline, and perseverance.

Program Highlights and Timeline

The 2011 Inspireum Soccer Awards followed a structured nomination and selection process, which included:

Key Dates in 2011:

• September 13: Nominations opened.

• October 6: Fan voting began.

• November 9: Nominations closed.

• November 17: Top 50 Semifinalists announced.

• December 13: Top 12 Finalists revealed.

• January 3, 2012: Winners and Fan Favorites announced.

• January 14, 2012: Award ceremony held at the NSCAA Convention in Kansas City, MO.

Scholarship Breakdown:

• Winner: $7,500 academic scholarship.

• 3 Runners-up: $2,500 each.

• 2 Fan Favorites: $2,000 each.

• 6 Other Finalists: $1,000 each.

Selection Process

The selection process involved both fan voting and evaluation by a National Selection Committee chaired by Steve Sampson, former head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team and LA Galaxy. Other notable committee members included:

• Jurgen Klinsmann – U.S. Men’s National Team head coach.

• Lynn Berling-Manuel – AYSO Executive.

• Andres Cantor – Famed international soccer announcer.

Finalists were evaluated based on:

1. Inspirational impact of their story.

2. Demonstration of the 4 Cs: Character, Courage, Contribution, and Commitment.

3. Influence on teammates, school, family, and community.

Fan voting carried significant weight in the process, especially in the Fan Favorite category.

Real Stories That Inspired a Nation

Unlike typical athletic awards, Inspireum highlighted personal stories that reflected deeper values. The 2011 finalists offered a profound glimpse into the program’s impact:

Winner: Christian Metzler – Woodbridge, VA

Born with only one leg, Christian defied all odds to become a top goalkeeper in Virginia, earning a spot on the All-State Team. His courage and skill turned his disability into a beacon of inspiration for others.

Runners-up included:

• Tara McNaught, battling Cystic Fibrosis and CF-related diabetes while excelling in school and sport.

• Humberto Alvarez, who donated bone marrow to his brother with lymphoma.

• Michael Cooper, living with Crohn’s Disease, supporting autistic siblings, and still giving back to local soccer clubs.

Fan Favorites:

• Erik Arsenault – Recovered from spinal tumor surgeries and remained active in youth soccer communities.

• Maritza Valdespino – Known as “Robot” for her tireless extracurricular involvement and community dedication.

Additional Finalists included:

• Youths overcoming heart transplants, loss of siblings, foster care, and addiction in their families, while serving as role models on the field.

These stories reflected the power of sport to uplift and transform lives.

Cultural and Social Significance

The awards resonated with communities nationwide. In an era when youth sports often emphasize elite performance and commercialization, Inspireum brought attention back to the emotional and ethical value of participation.

Key cultural impacts included:

• Shifting focus from performance to perseverance.

• Encouraging schools and clubs to celebrate non-traditional MVPs.

• Inspiring community pride through shared nominations and online engagement.

• Reinforcing the importance of inclusivity in sports—ensuring kids of all backgrounds feel seen and valued.

Role of Social Media and Technology

A distinctive feature of Inspireum’s platform was its robust use of multimedia storytelling:

• Each nominee received a personalized Player Profile page.

• Supporters could upload videos, photos, testimonials, and news articles.

• Social media tools (Facebook, Twitter) were integrated to spread awareness and increase engagement.

• Voting and community contributions helped democratize the selection process, fostering widespread involvement.

This use of technology helped expand the reach of local heroes, allowing inspirational stories to go viral and receive national attention.

Awards Ceremony & National Visibility

The awards culminated at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) convention in Kansas City, providing a prestigious platform for recipients to be honored in front of the nation’s top soccer minds.

This increased the visibility of the program and added further credibility to its mission, reinforcing how youth sports can serve as a launchpad for leadership and personal development.

Trusted Sports Foundation: A Partner in Purpose

The awards would not have been possible without the Trusted Sports Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to:

• Getting and keeping kids in the game.

• Providing financial assistance for sports registration and gear.

• Offering scholarships and resources to underprivileged athletes.

• Promoting sports as a method for achieving lifelong wellness and community engagement.

Their involvement ensured the program had real financial impact beyond the symbolic value of recognition.

Partners and Endorsements

Inspireum Soccer Awards were supported by numerous national organizations:

• AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization)

• National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA)

• NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches Association of America)

• Positive Coaching Alliance

• Play Like A Champion Today™

• Rush Soccer

• Shoebacca.com

These partnerships legitimized the program and extended its influence across diverse corners of the youth sports ecosystem.

Public Reception and Community Praise

Testimonials from parents, coaches, and communities revealed deep appreciation for the award’s values:

“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.”
– Rob Battleson

Such symbolic gestures enhanced the emotional weight of the awards and contributed to their lasting legacy.

Legacy

Though the program did not continue beyond its initial years, InspireumSoccerAwards.com left an indelible mark on youth athletics in America. Its pioneering use of digital media, focus on character-based recognition, and commitment to equity helped reframe how we view success in sports.

Inspireum’s Legacy:

• Encouraged a values-first approach to sports recognition.

• Pioneered fan-powered, tech-enabled awards systems.

• Proved that celebrating integrity over stats resonates with schools, families, and communities alike.

In a time when young athletes face increasing pressure, the Inspireum Soccer Awards offered a refreshing and powerful reminder: greatness isn’t just measured in goals, but in heart, resilience, and impact.