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USASA Coaches and Referees of the Year

By USASA Communications, 10/02/14, 7:15AM CDT

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USASA COACHES OF THE YEAR - 2014

Sinsa Alebic Region II

The coach of RWB Adria since 2007, Sinsa Alebic turned the Chicago side into a national power house.

Over the past few years RWB Adria represented region II at national competitions in all three divisions, Open, Amateur and Over-30.

Sinsa’s in-state record speaks for itself. 2007-2012 National League Champions as well as 2008-2013 NSL Coach of the Year, 2008, 2009, 2011-2014 Indoor

NSL Champions, 2010 & 2013 Illinois State Cup Chamipons.

His record at nations is impressive as well. He’s lead Adria to championships in the National Cup Open Division, the 2014 National Amateur Championship and the Croatian National Soccer Tournament. He’s also coached Adria in the Lamar Hunt Open Cup.

Bryan Bugarin Region I

Bryan Bugarin is a Baltimore, Maryland native actively involved in the soccer community, playing and coaching for the past 35 years.

Bryan played for Christos FC in the Maryland Major Soccer League, Maryland’s Premier Amateur League. He moved to form a team of his own, comprised of select players of recent college graduates wh om he had coached in club ball.

Encouraged by Maryland Major Commissioner Fran McGrath, Bryan consulted his former college coach, Pete Caringi, about a name for his 

newly formed team. He gave permission for Bryan to name his amateur team after the APSL Champion squad from the 90’s, the Maryland Bays. Bryan’s Maryland Bays made an immediate and striking impact in the amateur

soccer world including this year’s winning this year’s Open Cup in Salt Lake City.

Bryan also was approached this year by former Christos teammates and was asked to coach the Christos O-30 team.The team recently claimed its third National Championship in as many years.

Frank Chillemi Region III

This year marks Frank’s13th year as the head coach of the Division I Greater Atlanta Women’s Soccer Association (GAWSA) Lazers and his 11th year as the head coach of the GAWSA Division I Warriors.

The Lazers have made a championship appearance in almost every season, while taking home 1st place in seven seasons to date. The GAWSA Lazers also went on to win the Mardi Gras Ball Tournament Championship in New Orleans, LA in 2012. That same year, the GAWSA Lazers competed in the National Cup Regional Tournament in Houston, TX.

Frank was recently selected to lead the GAWSA Premier to the 2014 National Cup Tournament in Auburndale, FL. Frank and his coaching staff conducted tryouts and extensive training sessions in order to select the most elite players from the entire GAWSA league. GAWSA Premier went on to play the championship team in the semi-finals.

Frank has helped grow GAWSA into a reputable organization through fundraising, visibility, and dedication.

Todd Heil Region IV

Since 2000, Todd Heil has served as the head coach of the UCSB women’s soccer club. In over a decade as the head coach, the club has won hundreds of matches.

His teams have reached the National Collegiate Club Championship Final Four on eight occasions and the finals seven times, with five NIRSA Collegiate Club National Championships, 2007-11 In his tenure he has coached more than 25 collegiate club All-Americans.

Heil has also been the head boys’ soccer coach at Santa Barbara High School since 1999. In 15 seasons with the 

Dons, his teams have posted 315 wins. In 2010 his boy’s high school team again won a CIF Southern Section Championship and in 2011 his team won the CIF State Championship.

In 2010 and 2011 the NSCAA named him the California High School Coach of the Year and the Far West Regional High School Coach of the Year.

USASA OSI REFEREES OF THE YEAR - 2014

Julie Ilacqua Region II

Julie Ilacqua is the former Managing Director of Referee Programs for the United States Soccer Federation. In this position Julie was responsible for the overall management

of the Referee Department for US Soccer until her retirement in 2008.

Julie worked for World Cup 94 at the Detroit venue from 1992-1994 and was a member of the Bid Committee, helping to bring World Cup to the Pontiac Silverdome.

The Michigan Bid Committee Foundation, NASO Board of Directors, including a year as chair, and a member of the United States Soccer Federation Board of Directors 

are among the boards she has served on.

As a referee, Julie was the first female to officiate an intercollegiate national championship, but genuinely most proud of the heights to which the female referees of US Soccer have worked internationally.

Julie also served on the National Referee Committee including time as chair of that committee before she took the position with the United States Soccer Federation.

Mike Mekelburg Region III

Mike became a certified referee in 1989 and was upgraded to a state referee in 1994. He has refereed many different levels during his long career including the NPSL in 1995-1996 when he was selected as a supplementary official.

He also had the honor of being an assistant referee in the U23 Men’s National Team match vs Austria Memphis in 1996.

Following his time as a referee, Mike served as assignor for the Florida Suncoast Soccer League from 1996 to 1998.

He’s had the opportunity to serve as a referee liaison for the Tampa Bay Mutiny, the 

MLS All Star game, CONCACAF qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Earlier this year, Mike was appointed as the State Director of Mentors and Referee Academy, as well as the Florida LAC for US Soccer and he also assisted in hosting the Women’s National Championships.

Stanford Nagle Region I

Stan Nagle has been a fixture on soccer fields in Eastern Pennsylvania and beyond for the past 31 years. What he lacked in natural ability, he more than made up for in sheer determination and desire.

Over the years, he worked his way up from the youth, through amateurs, finally culminating with 19 successful years of professional matches. Stan earned his National badge in 2000, the grade he held for 13 years before retiring to focus on his real passion, mentoring. He worked in the WUSA and WPS, as well as all levels of what is currently the USL.

He was part of two USASA National Finals, eight Regional Finals, and seven straight State Finals. He also excels in the professional indoor game, about to begin his 14th season.

Even off the field, Stan’s achievements are just as impressive; instructor, state assessor, EPA’s director of mentoring, and SYRA.He has volunteered at the past ten youth regionals to help the newer officials.

His passion for excellence and tireless work ethic are infectious, making    him    an outstanding role model and an inspiration to aspiring officials.

Peter Valle Region IV

Peter first registered with USSF in 1988 and became the Idaho State Youth Referee Administrator in 1999.

He was the Idaho State Referee Administrator from 2000 to 2012 and is currently an emeritus state referee, state assessor and Chairman of the Idaho State Referee Committee.

He retired in 2008 after over 30 years as a graphic designer with Idaho Power Company. Currently lives in Boise with his wife, Michele.