Meritorious Service Award

The Meritorious Service Award is given by the Wisconsin Soccer Association's (WSA) Hall Of Fame (HOF) Committee to an individual or individuals who have contributed to the promotion and development of Wisconsin Soccer Association programs over a long period of time. The WSA HOF Committee wishes to give recognition to person(s) who have given the WSA programs and have not been inducted in the HOF. However, receiving this award does not preclude their being into the HOF.

	James Demetriou , Racine Spartans Born in Phati, Greece in 1939, Jim moved to Racine in 1956 to find a better life in United States. His Uncle, who worked at J.I. Case, sponsored him. He worked for J.I. Case for 35 years after briefly working for a hotel in Milwaukee for 3 months because he was three months shy of his 18 birthday, a requirement for J.I. Case. He retired in 1991. He played soccer for the Oster Club, a German club, in Roosevelt Park, Racine. He travelled over the state playing against other clubs. When his son was in 1st grade, a teacher at Windpoint asked him to teach the kids to play soccer. He eventually started the Racine Spartan Soccer Club in 1974 which started playing in the Metro Division. During this time, he took a team to state and won the U12 Boys State Cup. He has coached high school for many years. 1980-1984, at Racine Horlick High School, 1984-1996 at Park High School and then 1996-the present at Racine Horlick High School again. He took Horlick to state five consecutive years in boys and girls high school soccer between 2001-2005.
	Nikola Djilas, United Serbian (Past President) Nikola was born in Yugoslavia in 1944 and came to the United States in 1958. He was an original charter member of the United Serbians in 1963. Nikola served as president, treasurer, and secretary of the club and coached youth soccer from U-8 to U-14.
	David Jaworski, Madison 56ers/Referee 26 total years of "service" to WSA (13 as a player and 13 as an official). Played with the Madison 56ers and was a member of the 1992 National Amateur Championship team. Has been a State Referee for 10 years with this upcoming season. Is currently a State Referee grade 5.
	Tom Kaupp, TOPSoccer Tom Kaupp currently lives in Hubertus Wisconsin. He started the Sussex TOPSoccer program in 1999. Sussex grew rapidly into the third largest TOPSoccer program in the country with over 70 players participating. Sussex players come from all over Waukesha County. "Our players have every disability possible yet have an incredible ability to be part of a team." Two years ago he step down from running the Sussex program but still participate by coaching the children in wheelchairs and walkers. He says: "The best part of TOPSoccer is not about winning and loosing …it is about participating!" Tom played youth soccer in the late 1960's to early 1970's for Milwaukee Sport Club. He coached youth soccer for Sussex Soccer Club from 1994 to 1998.

	Louis Bennett
	Fernando Campos
	Art Kramer
	John Schissler

	Sanchez Cipriano, Aztec Warriors
	Luka Gale, Croatian Eagles Luka was born in Galici Bosnia in 1934, and attended school in Zagreb Croatia. In 1954, he traveled to Austria and played for FC Kufstin. He came to the USA in 1957 and settled in Milwaukee. He currently resides in Goodyear, AZ with his wife Annette. He has four grown children, Iva, Lisa, Tony, Luka Jr., and three grand children. Luka joined the Croatian Eagles SC soon after his arrival in Milwaukee and became a life long member. While initially a valued player for 12 years, Luka eventually took on responsibility for many of the necessary administrative tasks needed for operating a successful soccer club, including team manager, Grounds Keeper, Treasurer, Vice-President, and President; positions he held for many years. He also coached youth from age 12 to 23, including his son Luka. In addition to his ongoing club responsibilities, Luka also served for many years on a number of WSA committees, often at the request of the WSA President, and had an important role in assisting the WSA President and Commissioners in administering the sport of soccer in Wisconsin. Luka was an early member and long serving member of the WSA Hall of Fame Committee where his knowledge about Wisconsin soccer was a valuable asset. He was inducted into the WSA Hall of Fame in 2010 in the Overall category.
	Tom Mesalk, Referee
	Robert Wiesian, Milwaukee Kickers
	Bob Ziegler, TOPSoccer

	Stanisa Markovic
	Mirolav "Mike" Pavlovic, President of Serbian SC Of Milwaukee
	Sue Walter, Referee Assigner

	Steve Mott
	David Scherer, Soccer World He currently resides in Germantown, WI with his wife Lana and sons David and Michael. David was born in Milwaukee in 1958. He began his youth playing career with the Brewers S.C. from the age of 8 to 17. He played for James Madison High School from 1973 to 1976, which he led to a city conference championship in 1975. In 1974 and 1975 he was the team MVP and All Conference selection. During this period David, David played with the Milwaukee Bavarians on both the U19 and Major Division teams. As a Bavarian, he helped win four state championships and a Midwest Championship in 1977. David was a four-year starter for UW-Milwaukee, from 1976 to 1980. He was selected Team Captain, and defensive MVP as a senior. In 1979 David began an eleven-year association with the Milwaukee Sport Club, where he Captain the Major team for seven years. His leadership brought the club State Amateur and Open championships. His skills and tireless work rate was recognized by his peers with multiple Major Division All-Star selections. David started coaching soccer with Shorewood High School in 1980 as the Varsity Head Coach for the boys until 1990 and girls from 1981 to 1982. He became the Wauwatosa West High School Varsity Head Coach for both the Boys and Girls in 1993 through 2006. David's Wauwatosa West teams have won seven Boys Woodland Conference championship and five Girls conference championship. He was inducted into the WSA Hall of Fame in 2008 in the Player category in connection with the Milwaukee Sport Club.
	Anne Nowakowski, Stefan's Soccer

	Joe Beskidniak
	Chuck Coan
	Dmitar Jovic (b. Yugoslavia) Mich started playing soccer in Yugoslavia. He imigrated to Milwaukee and he has spent much of his life as a machinist and involved in soccer, supporting the Wisconsin Soccer Association and United Serbian SC. He has played for the United Serbian SC. He currently is on the Hall Of Fame committee, referee soccer games, assesses referees and is on the discipline committee for the Wisconsin Adult Soccer Association. He has wife and two sons. Stoy is actively involved in coaching and playing soccer in the first division. He was inducted into the WSA Hall of Fame in 2003 in the Referee/Player category in connection with the Wisconsin Referee Unit and the United Serbians.
	Mike Lekan

	Kristine Nelson
	Robert Newberry He currently resides in Madison, WI with his wife Nancy and daughters Anna and Elsbeth. Bob was born in Burbank, California in 1945. He played Goalkeeper in the Capital Division for 10 years with the Madison Chargers from 1969 to 1979. Once done playing Bob coached youth soccer and began refereeing local games. In 1980 he became a USSF registered referee and as a State Level Referee he served for twenty years, until 2000. He has continued to serve as a Emeritus Referee up to the present. Bob served as a Referee Assessor from 1995 to 2003 and became a State Referee Assessor in 2001, which he still performs. In addition, he assumed the responsibility of being a Referee Instructor in 2000, which he also continues to perform. Bob has been instrumental in the growth and development of referee ranks in Wisconsin with over 20 years of service in the administration, training and assessment of Wisconsin's game officials. He was inducted into the WSA Hall of Fame in 2007 in the Referee category in connection with the Madison Chargers.
	Mirko "Farmer" Trivic
	Brian Tomkins

	Kathy Geiger
	Rick Kilps Currently resides in Racine, WI with his wife Mary and son Derek. Rick was born in Milwaukee in 1951. He played youth and later adult soccer in both Milwaukee and Racine, including four years as a starter at UW-Parkside. After graduating from UW-Parkside, Rick began his coaching career. He was an Assistant Coach at both Parkside and Bowling Green State University and Head Coach at Aurora College and at UW-Parkside from 1984 to the present. As one of the top college coaches in the mid-west, Rick has given generously of his time and effort to the development of soccer though-out Wisconsin. He has given youth soccer clinics and coaching clinics; directed State Coaching Licensing Schools, hosted youth indoor and outdoor soccer tournaments, high school tournaments, and for adult men and women. His contributions were recognized with a WSA Meritorious Service Award in 1994. He was inducted into the WSA Hall of Fame in 2005 in the Coach/Player category in connection with the Polonia SC and the WSA.
	Boro Sucevic
	Ted Warwick
	Gary Zindler Born in Milwaukee. Gary has coached numerous boys and girls teams in Waukesha and has officiated at several levels. He founded Spring City S.C. He served WYSA in many capacities. He was inducted into the WSA Hall of Fame in 1996 in the Overall category in connection with the WYSA and the Spring City SC.

	Linda Englund
	Stefan Bartnik
	Dan Harris He was inducted into the WSA Hall of Fame in 1997 in the Coach category in connection with the Milwaukee Kickers.
	Tom Ament

	Mary Clarksen Mary currently resides in Waukesha, WI. A founder of Spring City Soccer Club in 1982, Mary soon expanded her role to becoming the Metro Youth District Administrator, Secretary/Treasurer, WYSA State Board Member, and most notably as the Metro Youth District Registrar. Under Mary's guidance, the WYSA youth soccer program has successfully addressed the issues of growing from 11,000 to over 67,000 registered players. In addition to player registrations, tracking recording player insurance claims, club's and officer's demographic data, and officials information, are some of the many record keeping and communications challenges that Mary has successfully met to ensure the WYSA current success. Mary is also representing Wisconsin nationally as a committee member of the USYSA Registrars and the Midwest Regional Registrars to work with other state associations to help implement registration procedures. She was inducted into the WSA Hall of Fame in 2004 in the Administrator category in connection with the WYSA.
	John Janasik (b. 1946, USA) John was instumental is starting the TOPSoccer program and maintaining it. He has been a youth soccer coach, and has served in many capacities for the Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association, including editing the Wisconsin Soccer Post, as well as serving the national U.S. Soccer Federation on several committees. John is currently president of the WSA. He was inducted into the WSA Hall of Fame in 1998 in the Overall category in connection with the Polonia SC and the WSA.
	Anita Perrett
	Will Peters He was inducted into the WSA Hall of Fame in 2002 in the Administrator category in connection with the WSA Referee Unit.

	Keith Binns
	Jim Bishop
	Nancy Nelson
	Ken Voigt He was inducted into the WSA Hall of Fame in 2003 in the Administrator category in connection with the Milwaukee Kickers and the WYSA.

	Paul Korger
	Michael Zawada (b.1933, Milwaukee, WI) Michael currently resides in Eau Claire, WI. He was born in Milwaukee in 1933. Mike has served on the WSA Board since 1980. He was a youth coach for various clubs and an assistant coach at Thomas Moore High School. He has willingly assumed the most challenging and difficult responsibilities needed to support and promote the success of the WSA. Mike has served as the Major/Reserve/Metro Divisions Registrar and Games Commissioner, as WASA President, as a delegate to the US Soccer Federation, and as a member of the USASA Region II Appeals Committee. He was inducted into the WSA Hall of Fame in 2004 in the Administrator category in connection with the WSA.
	Bernard Vossler
	Vince Sciano

	Art Froemming
	Bruno Kriese (b. Germany) Bruno was born in Germany where he grew up with the sport. After moving to the U.S.A. he played for the U.S. Army team and in 1958 joined the Old Milwaukee Brewers as a player. He has been a referee since 1966. He was inducted into the WSA Hall of Fame in 1998 in the Overall category in connection with the Milwaukee Brewers SC.
	David Scott
	Karen Troussaint (b. 1954, USA), Karen is the Secretary and Treasurer of the WSA. She currently resides in Menomonee Falls, WI with her husband Noel. Karen was born in Chicago, IL in 1954. Karen began her career with the Wisconsin Soccer Association in 1970. Working with former WSA President Mike Kabanica for many years, she was the State Association's Secretary and Treasurer from 1970 until 2002, a tenure of 33 years. In 2001 Karen took the position of Office Administrator for the WSA State Referee's Unit. A position she currently still holds. For all those who have worked for and with the Wisconsin Soccer Association since 1970, Karen has been an invaluable source of knowledge and assistance. She has always been there, every ready to help and assist, and all to often, to help solve the problems that always occur. With a total of 39 years of state level administrative service to Wisconsin soccer, Karen is one a very few long serving individuals who have directly participated in the growth and development of club soccer in Wisconsin to the success that it is today. She was inducted into the WSA Hall of Fame in 2009 in the Administrator category in connection with the Referee Administration.

	Jerry Panek (b. Poland) State Select, Region II and Marquette University coach. Jerry was inducted into the WSA Hall of Fame in 1991 in the Player/Coach category in connection with Polonia SC.
	Domenico Zizzo Dom loves the game of soccer and was top level and collegiate referee for over 40 years. He currently has a referee emeritus status. He is also currently on the HOF committee. He was inducted into the WSA Hall of Fame in 1994 in the Player/Referee category in connection with Verdi SC and the WSA Referee Unit.
	Dan Nelson President of the WYSA. He was also inducted into the WSA Hall of Fame in 1993 in the Overall category in connection with the WSA.
	Tom Gresk Miller Brewing Company liason to the WSA

	Charles Billings (b. Marshfield, WI) Member of the WSA Board of Directors from 1981 till 1997, including stints as Commissioner for Capitol Region, WSA, State Women's League etc. Played soccer in France from 1962-1965 and Madison after that. Past president of Madison 56ers. He was inducted into the WSA Hall of Fame in 2000 in the Overall category in connection with the WSA and the Madison 56ers.
	C. Bryan Dandy State Referee Instructor He was inducted into the WSA Hall of Fame in 1993 in the Referee/Administrator category in connection with the WSA Referee Unit.
	Robert Mott WSA Youth Board
	Greg Sbaraglia Milwaukee Journal
	Ade Van Geffen (deceased) WSA Board He was inducted into the WSA Hall of Fame in 1987 in the Coach/Referee category in connection with the WSA and the Paper Valley SC.

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